Kansas
Hiking

With Bridges And Forests, The Blue River Rail Trail In Kansas Is Unexpectedly Magical

The Blue River Rail Trail in Marysville, Kansas, offers a scenic and secluded hiking and biking experience along a 13.3-mile converted railroad track.

Updated May 27, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

Here in the Sunflower State, we are blessed with many places to hike, but there’s something so special about a long, secluded trail where you won’t encounter many others. Whether you’re looking to do an all-day hike or bike ride or just want to do a quicker out-and-back jaunt that’s only a portion of a long trail, one great option is the Blue River Rail Trail in Marysville. This is one of our favorite rail trails in Kansas – it’s been converted from an unused railroad track into a hiking and biking trail that benefits the community. So, no matter if you trek or ride, this is one of the best trails in Kansas that belongs on your list. You’ll want to download AllTrails+ for easy navigation before you head out on your trek.

The Blue River Rail Trail is currently a 13.3-mile trail connecting the small town of Marysville, Kansas to the Nebraska border.

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Mike Cellona/Alltrails

The trail is part of the Quad State Trail Project, a proposed 700-mile trail system connecting Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska. Over half of the trail system has already been constructed.

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B J/AllTrails

You'll see reminders of the area's important history as a transportation hub throughout the trail.

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Julie Marie/Alltrails

One major benefit of rail trails is that the grading is very low. They're great places to walk, jog, or bike, with minimal elevation gain.

The covered bridge over Rocky Run Creek features cute art deco artwork and there are benches along the trail to stop and rest.

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Maureen Crist/AllTrails

You'll find quite a few bridges on the trail.

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Larissa Tolbert/Alltrails

The path will take you along the Blue River, a 40-mile waterway that was once a recreational area for Kansas City.

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Rhiannon Englert/Alltrails

If you choose to hike or bike the entire trail, you'll see a variety of different landscapes, which is always a treat.

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Andy Elliott/Alltrails

There are several different access points throughout the trail, so you can opt to only traverse a portion if you're not up for the entire trek.

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Julie Marie/Alltrails

This is such a great trail in Kansas. You can learn more about the Blue River Rail Trail from the official website of this scenic Kansas trail.

While you're in the area, make sure to check out the delightful town of Marysville. It's one of our favorite day trips in the state, especially when the weather is warm.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/kansas/best-warm-weather-town-ks/

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Hiking

The Remote Destination in Kansas Where the Drive Is Worth the Final View

Published Sep 30, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

Ask someone from either of the coasts about our fair state and they'll likely answer that just about anything in Kansas is remote. Of course, those of us that love the Sunflower State know there are several decent-sized metropolitan areas within our borders. Even so, we do have quite a few regions that are pretty darn rural. Small towns make up the bulk of Kansas, and you never have to drive too far to reach an agricultural area with lots of farmland and prairie. If you're looking for a particularly remote place for an afternoon escape, we know just the spot. Big Basin Prairie Preserve is tucked away in Clark County, not too far from Ashland. It's a bit out of the way for most of us, but it's a beautiful locale and perfect for getting in touch with nature.

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Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr

This magnificent state-managed preserve sprawls over 1,818 acres in the Gypsum Hills. Kansas may have a reputation for being as flat as a pancake, but anyone who's spent much time in our western regions knows we have some beautiful rolling hills and quite a few fascinating rock formations.

The preserve has been designated as a National Natural Landmark thanks to its interesting landscape. In addition to acres of prairies and rolling hills, it's also home to the Big Basin that shares its name.

This unique depression was originally formed by a sinkhole and is about a mile in diameter and 100 feet deep. There is no drainage outlet for water to leave, so it occasionally will form small ponds after heavy rains. Similar basins known as Little Basin and St. Jacob's Well lie within the preserve as well. Interestingly, St. Jacob's Well is not known to have ever gone dry!

The preserve is stocked with American bison, and it's likely you'll see them if you head out here to enjoy nature. This is such a beautiful area of the state to simply take a stroll and be alone with your thoughts!

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Mark Buxman/AllTrails

For more information about Big Basin Prairie Preserve, check out the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website. You can get more information about the hiking opportunities here from our friends at AllTrails. If you're looking to get out and discover new places to get in touch with Kansas nature, consider a free trial of AllTrails+. Trail guides, turn-by-turn directions, and other benefits make it an invaluable resource for Sunflower State nature lovers!

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Hiking

This Easy Kansas Trail Once Served as a Rest Stop Along the Oregon Trail

Published Sep 9, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

The Sunflower State has a rich history, and there's no shortage of educational Kansas museums where you can see artifacts and learn about our past. It's sometimes fun to experience history first-hand, though. Next time you're looking to try out a taste of the Oregon Trail, we know just the spot to visit. The Oregon Trail Park at Scott Springs is tucked away in Westmoreland, KS, a quiet city of about 750 residents. This area was once an important resting place for travelers that were seeking a better life along the Oregon Trail. A visit here today will let you walk in their footsteps and learn more about this fascinating time period in Kansas history. Check it out:

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Illustration from 19th century.

The Oregon Trail spanned 2,170 miles and connected the Missouri River to the Oregon Territory. Countless emigrants traveled along the trail throughout the mid-1800s. These travelers were seeking a better life out west and famously rode in covered wagons. The long journey was treacherous and has been immortalized in The Oregon Trail computer game series that many of us grew up playing.

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mary mcaferty/AllTrails

Today, you can still visit many of the sites that played important roles to settlers along the Oregon Trail. One underrated spot that many aren't aware of is this little park in Westmoreland.

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mary mcaferty/AllTrails

The park lies near Scott Springs, a natural spring that made a perfect resting spot for weary travelers. The area around the spring served as a campground for many who were passing through the area.

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mary mcaferty/AllTrails

Today, the small park has a one-mile paved walking trail known as the Little Dog Lost Trail. It's wheelchair and stroller accessible and only takes about 15-30 minutes to explore, making it a great option for those with young kids or mobility issues.

All along the route, you'll see informative signs telling you about the Oregon Trail travelers and what the area was like several hundred years ago.

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mary mcaferty/AllTrails

In today's world of cars and airplanes, it's difficult to imagine taking a journey by foot or wagon of more than 2,000 miles, but that's just what these brave settlers did so long ago. A visit to this park may not give you the full Oregon Trail experience, but it's sure to educate you on what life was like back then.

Want to learn more about this great Oregon Trail Park in Kansas? Check out the National Park Service website or our friends at AllTrails. If you're a regular hiker in the Sunflower State, you'll want to consider a free two-week trial of AllTrails+. It's got all the benefits of a free account, plus turn-by-turn directions and even live trail conditions.

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