Use the links below for descriptions of the state's top trails.
For details on all
these trails and many more, click here to order Kansas Outdoor
Treasures
Best Equestrain Trails in Kansas
Imagine traveling
on horseback where native tribes once watered their horses and bison
grazed the hillsides. In Kansas, terrain varies from sand
hills to surprising rocky canyons, flat prairie vistas and rolling
Flint Hills. Following are some of the most scenic and lengthy trails
that accommodate horses (listed east to west). Don’t own a horse?
Visit the outfitter guide.
Wyandotte County Lake (Kansas City)
In the Glacial Hills Region, this trail climbs
surprisingly high, descends unexpectedly low, twisting and turning through
oak and hickory forest. Eight miles of riding trail circumnavigate the
park road sometimes with switchbacks, occasionally bringing you to clearings
along the edge of the woods where you may get a look at the rolling hills
across the park road. Although it’s near Kansas City, some describe
the park as an Ozark-like setting. (No camping.)
Big Hill Lake (Parsons)
In southeast Kansas, a 17-mile bridle trail surrounds
three-quarters of Big Hill Lake hugging the shoreline offering varied
terrain for riders of all ages. Parking lots can be found in the Timber
Hill and Cherryvale areas and also on the south side of Hwy 160. Trail
riders can camp overnight with horses.
El Dorado State Park (Wichita)
The Boulder Bluff Trail traverses an old rock quarry
and follows the lake shoreline through prairie grasses and back making
a 12-mile loop. Lake views abound with little to no shade on the relatively
flat mowed trail east of Wichita. Wildflowers will delight the observant
rider late spring through early fall. Equestrian campgrounds are provided.
Eisenhower State Park (Emporia)
The Crooked Knee Bridle Trail offers 3 trailheads,
lake views, wooded areas and some rocky terrain for you and your horse.
Designed as two connecting loops an 11-mile outer loop skirts the lakeshore
with
views
from numerous
coves, crosses
prairie, woods and some minor creeks. An additional 6 miles of trail
crosses creeks traversing hills on higher ground. Horse camps with utilities
and corrals are provided.
Tuttle Creek Reservoir (Manhattan)
Carnahan Creek Park offers stellar Flint Hills
scenery in a delightfully remote area (think primitive). When Carnahan
Creek is low enough to cross, riders may access miles of rugged and challenging
lakeside
trails for as much as 10 miles (one-way.) When the lake is high, crossing
the creek is not safe. Instead, ride 5 miles of trail that wind around
the Rec. Area, climbing above the cove with panoramic views of
the shore and Flint Hills.
Another 15 miles of trail can be ridden at Randolph (north of Carnahan).
Rated moderate to difficult, there are lots of rocks and tight switchbacks.
Horseshoes
are recommended for equestrian mounts. Expect some spectacular lake
views and plenty of amenities for those camping with
horses.
Milford Lake & State Park (Junction City)
The Eagle Ridge Trail is the most scenic
at Milford offering brief panoramic views above the lake. Although half
of the easy, 8-mile loop follows the shoreline, cedar trees form a blind
limiting lake views. Fun for riders,
the trail periodically ducks into cedar tunnels descending to and climbing
from ravines created by intermittent streams. There are limited
walk-in campsites on the trail.
Sand Hills State Park (Hutchinson)
Sand deposits create dunes ranging from 10 to
40 feet high and provide interesting terrain to ride. Singing birds,
tall waving grasses, yucca and wildflowers delight the rider on about
10 miles of sand-covered prairie. Neutral colors like tan, gold, bronze,
celery and lavender tint your photos in the spring. Grasses green up
and wildflowers add a pop of color in the summer. Horse camping facilities
are under construction.
Kanopolis State Park (Salina)
Beside the red sandy trails are rolling hills with
sandstone outcrops. Pillars and arches, balanced boulders and mini-caves
are some of the features that hang over the Horsethief Trail. The extended
25-mile trail system breaks down into shorter color-coded loops. Equestrian
campsites can be reserved in advance. Don’t have a horse? Rent
one near the general store for a guided ride through Red Rock Canyon.
For more information on equestrian trails in Kansas, order Kansas
Outdoor Treasures (Trails Books, a division of Big Earth Publishing)