Kansas Hiking and Backpacking Trips

Topeka: Fancy Creek Loop

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Not even Dorothy would recognize the Flint Hills, where the prairie breaks from its flat-as-a-pancake routine on this 4.6-miler to photogenic outcrops.

Hays, KS: Castle Rock

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Explore a rocky labyrinth and towering sandstone spires on this easy 2.3-miler around an eroded ancient sea bed in central Kansas.

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Trek 6.3 miles into one of the last virgin tallgrass prairies in Kansas to limestone outcrops overlooking a beautiful river valley and the grazing lands of 300+ buffalo.

Hays, KS: Castle Rock

BACKPACKER Review
Explore a rocky labyrinth and towering sandstone spires on this easy 2.3-miler around an eroded ancient sea bed in central Kansas.

Topeka: Horsethief Canyon

BACKPACKER Review
This 4.4-miler mixes prairie with rolling wooded hills, scenic bluffs, and sandstone hoodoos in Kanopolis State Park, the first state park in Kansas.

Salina, KS: Wilson Purple Loop

BACKPACKER Review
Access tiny sand beaches and stop for up-close views of Lake Wilson on this winding 4.7-mile loop tour of Wilson State Park’s most diverse trail.

Arkansas River: Lake Fork to Granite

This section of river is 14.4 miles in length. Although navigable, this section is seldom boated. Abundant fishing opportunities exist and is the primary activity on this section. Provided by the AHRA .

Arkansas River: Pinnacle Rock to Canon City

This section of river is 18.9 miles in length and contains the famous Royal Gorge. It is rated Class III-V and can become extremely difficult in high flows. It is recommended that the Royal Gorge not be run in flows above 3200 cfs at the Parkdale Gauge. See caution for Canon City Intake. Provided by the AHRA .

Arkansas River: Granite to Buena Vista

This section of river is 18 miles in length and includes the challenging Pine Creek and Numbers runs. It is rated Class IV-VI and can become extremely difficult at higher flows. See caution for Frog Rock Rapid. It is recommended that Pine Creek Rapid and the Numbers not be run at flows over 2400 cfs at the Below Granite gauge. Provided by the AHRA .

Arkansas River: Buena Vista to Stone Bridge

This section of the river is 19.9 miles in length and includes the popular Brown's Canyon. It is rated Class III-V. See cautions for Silver Bullet and Stone Bridge. Provided by the AHRA .

Arkansas River: Pinnacle Rock to Canon City

Arkansas River: Rincon to Pinnacle Rock

This section is 20.4 miles long and travels the heart of Big Horn Sheep Canyon. It is known for its moderate whitewater and wildlife viewing opportunities. Abundant fishing opportunites also exist. Provided by the AHRA .

Local Hikes: Midwest

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Hike these long trails in Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Kansas, and Oklahoma, and head south to Texas to see Horned Lizards.

Readers' Choice: Southeast

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Your favorite parks, weekend getaways, peak ascents, campsites, and more in the southeast.

Trip Finder: Great Plains

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Your favorite Great Plains hikes—from dayhikes to weekenders to multiday trips.

Readers' Choice: Great Plains

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Your favorite parks, weekend getaways, peak ascents, campsites, and more in the Great Plains states.

Best. Hikes. Ever.

BACKPACKER Review
We've covered 245,591 miles of trails in our 37-year history. Here are our 20 all-time favorite trips, plus—shocking!—20 routes we never covered.

Best Hikes Ever: Turkey Trail, KS

BACKPACKER Review
Snag views of swaying prairie grass stretching to the horizon.

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Photos + Videos

Packing for a Backcountry Ski Day Kristin Hostetter shows you the essential gear, and how to pack it, for a day of backcountry skiing.	Adjust Your Pack Straps on the Trail Maximize your pack's comfort with a few easy, on-trail strap adjustments.

Life's Short, Hike More!

What makes a backpacker a backpacker? It's not the garage full of gear or piles of guidebooks--it's the experiences, from thru-hiking a long trail to pushing your personal envelope to inspiring a child's love of wilderness. Here we present BACKPACKER's new Life List: 10 experiences to add to your tick-listnow--and the key skills you need to nail them.