While Kansas may have a reputation for being a place you pass through, and not necessarily a place to visit, it is full of cool and unique places to explore outdoors! From historic landmarks to scenic landscapes, here are some hidden gems you should plan to check out!
Manhattan
One of our favorite places to visit when the weather is warm is Tuttle Creek State Park. Go for a swim or visit the beach at River Pond, or you can stroll along the rugged shoreline and fish at the Rocky Ford Recreation area. View the beautiful Tallgrass prairie at Konza Prairie Biological Station. You’ll be able to see some amazing views of the Kansas River Valley and Flint Hills. There are varying length walking trails that make for a perfect active morning out when the weather is nice. Don’t forget to check out Pillsbury Crossing. Located only six miles southeast of Manhattan, this large natural limestone rock allows for the crossing of pedestrians and vehicles through Deep Creek! Check out our guide here.
Junction City
Spend a day or a weekend out on Milford Lake, the largest man-made lake in Kansas. Check out our guide here. Continue 30 miles south of Junction City to a fun waterfall, Geary Lake Falls. For the best chance of seeing the water flowing, plan to visit after some heavy rainfall. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes as it is a bit of a walk to the falls. You’ll get to look over the edge from up above the falls then play in the water at the bottom of the waterfall!
Strong City/Cottonwood Falls
Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve (only about an hour drive from Manhattan!) is one of the most scenic places to visit in all of Kansas. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through 40 miles of trails — and even see a small bison herd! 10 minutes south is Chase Lake Falls. It may not be the tallest of all the waterfalls in Kansas, but it’s still a beautiful, multiple tiered waterfall that will take your breath away.
Minneapolis
Over in Minneapolis, prepare for an adventure that will thrill your kids at Rock City. This natural wonder will capture their imagination as they explore and climb the giant rocks. There are variable rock structures that make it ideal for both little and big kids. A few miles away, let your kids release their energy at Markley Grove Park, a large, shaded playground nestled next to a community pool and a waterfall.
Lindsborg/Kanopolis Lake
Plan a day trip to Lindsborg and visit Coronado Heights Castle! It is said to be near the place where Francisco Vásquez de Coronado gave up his search for the seven cities of gold and turned around to return to Mexico. 20 miles west is Kanopolis Lake State Park, the first state park in Kansas! Your crew will have fun swimming, kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, and much more! Then, about 12 miles north is Mushroom Rock, the smallest, and one of the most unique, state parks in Kansas. The park is only 5 acres but has some of the most unusual rock formations that look like giant mushrooms.
Sylvan Grove/Lucas
Under two hours away from Manhattan is Wilson Lake State Park, which is not only known for its stunning rock formations on the lake, but it is also known to have the most beautiful water in Kansas! 14 miles north, you will find The Garden of Eden in Lucas, Kansas. This quirky masterpiece, hand-crafted by Civil War veteran Samuel Perry Dinsmoor, has over 200 concrete sculptures that tell stories of religion, politics, and everyday life.
Quinter
Anyone who thinks Kansas is flat (OK it is, but not as much as people say!) hasn’t seen the Castle Rock Badlands. The actual Castle Rock is the free-standing formation found by itself at the bottom of the property; the larger mass of formations is considered the Castle Rock Badlands. The paths can be rough to drive on, especially after inclement weather, so do be careful! And make sure to bring hiking boots. Drive and explore the entire route to take in all the amazing views.
Oakley
If you continue an hour west of Quinter, you will be thinking “we’re not in Kansas anymore!” Monument Rocks are a series of large chalk formations, rich in fossils. These formations were the first landmark in Kansas chosen by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a National Natural Landmark. These chalk formations are up to 70 ft tall and are estimated to have been formed 80 million years ago. How cool is that?! Also nearby, you can check out Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. Visit from sunup to sundown all year round, with two hiking trails that take you to scenic overlooks.
