Use the links below for descriptions of the best trails in Kansas.
For
details on all these Kansas 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 Kansas
trails that accommodate horses (listed east to west). Don’t own
a horse? Visit the outfitter guide.
Wyandotte County Lake (Kansas City, KS)
In the Glacial Hills Region, this Kansas 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 peak at
the rolling hills
or sparkling coves across the park road. Although it’s near Kansas
City, some describe the park as an Ozark-like setting. (No camping.)
Hillsdale
Lake (Paola/Hillsdale)
There are nearly 50 miles of equestrian trail on the eastern shores of
Hillsdale Lake along with the Saddle Ridge Horse Camp area. Observe native
plants, intermittent views of the lake and even some native wildlife.
There are four different color-coded loops making up the heavily wooded
trail system: NW blue trail, SE red trail,
SW red trail, and the Outlet blut loop. If you don't own a horse, contact
S&S Stables or see www.ssstables.com.
Big Hill Lake (Parsons, KS)
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, KS)
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, KS)
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, KS)
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,
KS)
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, KS)
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, KS)
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)