9 Easy Hikes To Add To Your Outdoor Bucket List In Kansas
Hiking is great exercise, and a wonderful way to see all the natural beauty the Sunflower State has to offer. You don’t have to be a top athlete to tackle these trails; they’re accessible to even beginning hikers. Get out there and enjoy our beautiful state before the snow flies!
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Choose one of three nature trails to really witness the splendor of Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. The trails range in length from a .5 mile to 1.75 miles and are dog-friendly, so bring your furry friend! (2840B KS Hwy 177, Strong City)
Meander along the trail next to Clinton Lake at this pretty little state park. (798 N. 1415 Road, Lawrence)
With wide open spaces and tall prairie grasses, it's an iconic Kansas landscape that begs to be explored. The section shown is the most strenuous you'll find, which is a series of shallow steps leading up to a rise that offers great views. Other spots are perfectly flat if you don't want to climb at all. (McDowell Creek Road, 5 miles northeast of I-70, Junction City)
You'll find two trails in Horsethief Canyon. Take the blue trail, which is much easier and takes you past scenery like this. The Smoky Hills region of the Sunflower State is really stunning. Kanopolis State Park is near Marquette.
Just one of several easy trails, Pond Trail takes you through tall grasses and around several marsh ponds. Bring your binoculars for this 1.5-mile long hike. You'll see plenty of migratory birds here.
This award-winning trail is handicapped-accessible and perfect for pretty much everyone in the family. It's a pleasant little stroll that's less than a mile long, and so easy that you can even bring Grandma along! (5800 River Pond Road, Manhattan)
This short easy hike is just .75 miles long, but it's packed with some spectacular scenery. Visit in the fall for amazing foliage. (618 NE Bluestem Road, El Dorado)
While you're at El Dorado State Park, you may as well explore the ADA-accessible Walnut Ridge Trail. It's a longer, 2.5-mile trail that circles the campground.
Take this 1.1-mile loop that is nice and flat. Bring your pup (on his leash, of course) and enjoy the river and surrounding park. This is the perfect hike for a picnic!
Have you hiked any of these trails before? What is your favorite hiking trail in Kansas? Share your thoughts and experiences with us!
