Backpacker Magazine: Kansas: Backpacking and Camping Trips, Hikes, Adventures, Topo Maps, Aerial Photos.

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.

Salina, KS: Wilson Purple Loop

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
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.

Topeka: Eagle Ridge Trail

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Witness delicate blooms in a peaceful prairieland on this 5.6-mile loop in Milford State Park, which also features wooded ravines and secluded coves.

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.

Topeka: Konza Prairie

BACKPACKER Review
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.

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: 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: 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 .

Elk River Trail

Elk River Trail Part of the Trail System for the Kansas Trail Council http://www.terraworld.net/kansastrails/current%20web%20pages/trails-elkcity-elkriver.htm

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

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 .

High Points: Mt. Sunflower, Kansas

BACKPACKER Review
Something's happening in this spot where nothing happened.

Best Backpacking In Kansas

BACKPACKER Review
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Kansas.

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Photos + Videos

Gear Lab: Boots Torture Test Can any hiking boot survive 15 minutes in a cement mixer filled with rocks, sticks, dirt, and bricks? Gear Lab aims to find out.	Gear Lab: Tents Torture Test Who wants a mountain tent that buckles under pressure? Not us--so we blasted four top tents with a carwash pressure washer to see which one comes out on top.