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Beautifully simple hike and bike trail that twists through Kanopolis State Park.


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Map Key

1.7

Miles

2.8

KM

Loop

1,534' 468 m

High

1,492' 455 m

Low

78' 24 m

Up

77' 23 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

6%

Max Grade (3°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly Simple, short trail. Easily accessed from main road through Kanopolis Park. Large parking area. Easy terrain for all family members and plenty of spots to stop and enjoy - even a covered picnic area.

Trail usually stays open even when other trails in park close due to high water (e.g. Horsethief Canyon Trail)

Need to Know

$5 state park fee to enter. Large parking area at trailhead, but no distinct identifying sign. Rather, there is a boulder with a metal sculpture of a bike with red/white ribbons indicating the trailhead. Trail is a large loop that ends about 1/8 of a mile down the road from where you parked your car, so a quick 5 min walk at the end of the hike along a paved road. Trail is marked well with red/white ribbons.

Description

This trail offers a perfect taste of what it's like to hike through this part of Kansas - you've got beautiful native grasses, limestone boulders with the hope of fossils hidden within, and a gorgeous view of Kanopolis lake throughout the majority of the hike. You start out by twisting along the path through groups of trees and tall grass, descending a bit as you make you're way toward the namesake of the trail, a gigantic split boulder.

Be on the lookout for deer as they are commonly spotted on the hills surrounding the trail. At around the halfway point you'll spot some picture-worthy views of the lake. Keep your eye out for a bald eagle or two soaring over the water. The second half of the trail ascends a bit and thins out to become mostly the tall grass prairie, allowing sweeping views of the rolling landscape surrounding the park.

Flora & Fauna

Spotted lots of scat from deer, a bald eagle flying overhead, and a birder's paradise if you're so inclined.

Contacts

Shared By:

Sydney Bolin

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 1 vote

#3012

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#12

in Kansas

#3,012

Overall
6 Views Last Month
291 Since Dec 29, 2019
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

View of the lake from the trail.
Dec 29, 2019 near Ellsworth, KS

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Oct 4, 2021
Molly Winters
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