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Elk City State Park

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Visiting Tips

Whenever the lake lets out 2,000+ cfs, the River Trail and the Inner Loop Trail are underwater. And it takes a week after any rain to dry the trails out to where they are rideable.

Elk City State Park Hiking

  • 23 Miles 37 Kilometers of Trail
  • 0 Recommended Routes
  • 7 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 2 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 3 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Trails in Elk City State Park - 12

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14.2 mi 22.8 km #1Elk River Trail
Intermediate
Independence, KS
Intermediate
Independence, KS 18 
0.9 mi 1.5 km #2Esse's Trail
Difficult
Independence, KS
Difficult
Independence, KS
2.2 mi 3.5 km #3Table Mound Hiking Trail
Difficult
Independence, KS
Difficult
Independence, KS
0.2 mi 0.3 km #4Camping Area Trail
Easy
Independence, KS
Easy
Independence, KS
2.0 mi 3.2 km #5Squaw Creek Trail
Easy
Independence, KS
Easy
Independence, KS
0.1 mi 0.2 km #6Cedar Run
Easy
Independence, KS
Easy
Independence, KS
1.3 mi 2.1 km #7River Trail
Intermediate
Independence, KS
Intermediate
Independence, KS
0.3 mi 0.5 km #8Tall Grass Trail
Easy
Independence, KS
Easy
Independence, KS
0.8 mi 1.2 km #9Inner Loop Trail
Easy
Independence, KS
Easy
Independence, KS
0.6 mi 0.9 km #10Hill Side Trail
Difficult
Independence, KS
Difficult
Independence, KS
0.4 mi 0.7 km #11Main Line
Easy
Independence, KS
Easy
Independence, KS

Photos of Elk City State Park - 47

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Lakeside Camping (Sunset Point)
Apr 1, 2018 near Indepen…, KS
There's a lot of short, rocky, 8' climbs in just the first mile of trail.  Be sure to wear proper hiking boots.
Feb 29, 2020 near Indepen…, KS
Millie is showing us the way.  Lots of Red Cedars through this section and it's very flat; a welcome change to the first 3/4 mile!
Feb 29, 2020 near Indepen…, KS
Great scenic view of the lake.  Careful, this is on the edge of a 40' ledge.
Feb 29, 2020 near Indepen…, KS
This is a neat "hidden" area of the trail.  The trail looks to go in front of the ledge of rocks, but you can go between a couple of rocks to get back in here.  It's blazed to indicate it's trail, it's just easy to miss.
Feb 29, 2020 near Indepen…, KS
The trail wraps around lots of neat rock formations!
Feb 29, 2020 near Indepen…, KS
This is the lake view you've been looking for!
Mar 29, 2020 near Indepen…, KS
Another great view of the lake!  Be careful here though, I'm standing above an area that has slumped and fallen off into the lake; that's why there's no trees in front of this shot.
Mar 29, 2020 near Indepen…, KS