Kansas

The Light Center is what I like to consider a wheat oasis. It's located about 30 minutes south of Lawrence, Kansas and offers an amazing escape from the every day grind. It's surrounded by fields of golden wheat as well as trees and rivers. It's a space that you never thought about going to, until y...

Geary Lake Falls is only active after recent rains. It is formed by the overflow outlet of Geary State Fishing Lake. It is great fun to view the falls from the top and then venture down to the base. Both offer unique and interesting vantage points. There are no signs or directions to this waterfall....

The Konza Prairie Nature Trail is a special beloved attraction in the area. It is set on 3,487 hectare of native tallgrass prairie. The trail offers a choice of 3 loops: The Nature Trail Loop at 2.8 miles, The Kings Creek Loop at 4.6 miles, and the Godwin Hill Loop at 6.1 miles . All trails start fr...

Starting at the trailhead, this very well-maintained trail is an easy, 4.6 mile loop. This is the second of 3 loops from the trailhead. The longest one is just over 6 miles and connects the Konza Prairie Loop with the Kings Creek Loop and the Goodwin Hill Loop. Don't want the full 6 miler, but are l...

This cove at Tuttle Creek Lake is not in an official park, but it is open to the public. It is a place I have come to again and again. Be here an hour before sunrise on a partly cloudy morning and watch as nature puts forth its finest firework show. Don't be late and don't leave too early. Golden ho...

Lace up your boots and head to the 1,600 acre Shawnee Mission Park, located about 25 minutes southwest of downtown Kansas City. One of the best parks in the Kansas City metro boats miles of hiking/mountain biking trails, a 120 acre lake, a marina that rents outs kayaks, paddle boards, canoes, and pe...

Overview Parking at the Roth Trailhead gives the hiker several options for how to proceed. Up the paved walkway from the parking area, one can go into the woods to follow the Roth Trail, or they can venture out into the grasslands on the Lowland trail. The Roth trail leads up through wooded areas, a...

This four mile trail is located in the Woodridge Public Use Area, southwest of Lawrence and along the western edge of Clinton Lake. Campsites are available without charge and without reservation, open to campers on a first-come, first-served basis. When you arrive at the trail head, you'll park in a...

Park your car at the Visitor Center and head inside to grab a copy of the trail map. If the Visitor Center is closed, you can take a picture of the map on the display outside of the building. There are several trails you can take in the preserve, and all of them are worth the time. I recommend start...

This waterfall is frequently flowing. It was created by a defunct mill dam on Turkey Creek. It is located in Brown Memorial Park just outside of Abilene, Kansas. Take Highway 15 south from Abilene, over the Smoky Hill River. Turn east (left) on 2000 Avenue, than south a few hundred yards on Hawk Roa...

Take a leisurely stroll around Margaret's Pond while exploring the herb garden, amphitheater and promenade. There are beautiful flowers and trees to encounter here. Or if you are feeling a bit more adventurous, hop on the asphalt Sculpture Garden Trail (0.4 mile) which links to the Cottonwood Trail ...

Located behind Kaw Point industrial Park is Kaw Point park. This park is located right where the Kansas and Missouri Rivers meet. It has historical significance too, the Lewis and Clark expedition actually camped at this spot for a couple of nights to rest, repair their boats, and to explore around ...

Carnahan Creek Park is located 20 miles north of Manhattan, Kansas near the historic Carnahan Church on the north shore of Tuttle Creek Reservoir. This secluded park offers visitors free camping in many roadside campsites, as well as remote campsites only accessible through scenic forest and prairie...

Just west of the Elk City Lake Dam is a small parking area. The scarcity of foot traffic is highlighted by the size of the parking lot. You'll begin your hike by crossing over a minimal footbridge that spans a small stream. Once over the stream, you begin a slightly moderate climb up the trail to th...

The Skyline Park is a Park in Shawnee County Kansas. At Skyline Park there are five different trails that make up the Azuras Trails. The trails are as follows: North Summit Trail: 1.5 miles Sunrise Loop: 1.3 miles Sunset Loop: .9 mile South Summit: .6 mile Northwest Trailhead: .4 miles Click here fo...

Kansas is somewhat known for its relatively flat land with nearly identical scenery across the entire state. One place where that differs is the Konza Prairie, a part of the larger Flint Hills. Totaling 6.1 miles this trail offers a variety of scenery from start to finish. Parking right before the P...