Posted in Kansas Nature July 24, 2018 by

This Hike Takes You To A Place Kansas’ First Residents Left Behind

Okay Kansas, who is ready for an adventure? This amazing place used to be somewhere full of people, but now nature has taken over what’s left. It’s somewhere that some of our first residents used, but now crumbles Let’s get outside and explore some more of what Kansas has to offer.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate
Welcome to Topeka's own Dornwood Park, where the grass is green, and the Kansas skies shine through like they always do.
Donna Ray Pearson/Google
Trails around the park lead over water, under trees, and alongside ruins that you've probably never heard of, unless you're a local.
Donna Ray Pearson/Google
These still-standing chunks of stone are what's left of an old dairy barn, once used all the time, but now in disrepair.
Katie Huffman/Google
The ruins are near the beginning of the 5-miile trail through the park, but the rest is plenty beautiful enough to spend the day exploring.
Shawnee County Parks & Recreation
Can you imagine people walking around this dairy barn, the smell of cows, and the noises of shuffling throughout the space?
Shawnee County Parks & Recreation
It's amazing to watch nature slowly overtake what once was a manmade building and turn it into more scenery for years into the future.
Shawnee County Parks & Recreation

Dornwood Park is located at 2815 SE 25th St., Topeka, KS. Enjoy the ruins, and happy trails!

If you want to see more about previous Kansas generations, check out this 19th century farm where you can explore what life was like back then.