5 Places in Kansas Locals Hope Tourists Never Discover

Among the most popular attractions in Kansas are the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Museum & Library in Abilene, Dodge City, and the Cosmosphere Space Museum in Hutchinson. While these are remarkable places to visit, for quieter spots around the state, you may need to find where the locals go. Undiscovered gems in Kansas abound, unspoiled by crowds and frequented only by residents who seek some quiet time. These are places locals love in Kansas. Have you been to them all?

1. Mushroom Rock State Park, Brookville

For extraordinary geological features, you must visit Mushroom Rock State Park. As the smallest state park in the state, at just five acres, this park is one of the "8 Wonders of Kansas Geography" due to its unusual rock formations that resemble large mushrooms growing from the earth. These rocks once served as landmarks and meeting points for Native Americans as well as early pioneers. The largest rock, at 27 feet in diameter, is a sight to behold and a must-see when in the park. There's no entry fee, making it an inexpensive day trip destination in Kansas.

2. Arikaree Breaks, Saint Francis

If you take the Land and Sky Scenic Byway, you'll drive through the area known as Arikaree Breaks. With its canyon-like appearance, the Arikaree Breaks are like the Grand Canyon of Kansas, with deep ravines, a stark contrast to the state's typical topography of plains and hills. They extend 36 miles long and between two and three miles wide in some areas, and the stunning views are seemingly endless.

3. Point of Rocks, Elkhart

Point-of-Rocks, located within the Cimarron National Grassland, is a 100-foot cliff at the edge of an escarpment that was once used as a landmark on the Santa Fe Trail. This prominent geological feature offers views of the Cimarron River, and interpretive signs at the overlook give an in-depth history of the area. It's a peaceful place to spend some time, and you can get there via a short-but-sweet 0.2-mile hiking trail.

4. Ellinwood Tunnel System, Ellinwood

Have you ever wanted to take a tour underground? One of the most fascinating places in Kansas is the Ellinwood Tunnel System, a series of tunnels constructed by Bavarian immigrants under the town's Main Street. Here, businesses, breweries, bathhouses, a train depot, and more thrived for a number of years, including Prohibition days when those wanting a stiff beverage could head underground for a drink. Today, you can take a tour of the tunnels through The Historic Wolf Hotel—it's one of the most unique things to do in Kansas!

5. Coronado Heights Park, Falun

Coronado Heights Park Trail leads to Coronado Heights, a bluff located just to the west of the Swedish town of Lindsborg. On top of the bluff is a picnic area and a castle made of Dakota sandstone procured from the area. The castle was built in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration as a place of beauty and a picturesque spot for locals and visitors alike to enjoy the great outdoors.

Are you ready to explore some of the lesser-known parts of the Sunflower State? These quiet corners away from tourists are special places to the locals who frequent them, and there's no doubt that you'll love them as much as they do. For more undiscovered places, check out these incredible hidden gems in Kansas.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own Kansas hidden gems trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.