Hays, KS: Castle Rock

Millions of years of erosion carved the dramatic bluffs, spires and pinnacles of this stepped, 100-foot contour that is one of Kansas’ most interesting geological features.
Begin this trip with a drive to the overlook above the cliffs for a birds-eye view before setting out on foot. The parking area about half-way up this mile-long bluff system is a great place to start; the central section of the bluff is packed with arches, tunnels and eroded gullies to explore. This route loops south first, climbing user-created trails to the bluff top and following its edge. .4 mile in, the trail dips to the road—be sure to explore the two large crags on its south side—before tuning north under the cliffs.
This route follows the road for .2 miles and tucks back into the maze of cliffs to bypass the parking area and continue north past a large fin formation and through an open field toward the grayish mounds just west of Castle Rock.
Castle Rock itself towers over 60 feet high and marks the northern end of this loop. After cruising it’s base, follow the dirt road, or the small singletrack trail alongside it, .6 miles back to the parking area.
-Mapped by Kristy Holland

Trail Facts

• Distance: 3.8

Waypoints

CAS001

Location: 38.8496724, -100.1702229

At this cattle guard, continue driving straight to reach the Castle Rock overlook. Turning right here bypasses the viewpoint and leads downhill to the base of the formations.

CAS002

Location: 38.8536954, -100.1653361

This mapped route begins at the second turn-around. This spot is about half-way to Castle Rock’s main formation, but provides easy access to the area’s most interesting rocky sections.

CAS003

Location: 38.8530782, -100.1659193

Heading southwest, pick your way under arches, through rocky tunnels and on well-worn trails leading to the top of the ridge.

CAS004

Location: 38.852509, -100.1655936

Peek over the rocky edges at the towering sand and limestone cliffs below. It is more difficult to work your way back down to the bottom of the cliffs from here, so trace the singletrack along the ridge heading south.

CAS005

Location: 38.8500692, -100.1648855

The cliffs shorten at Castle Rock’s southern end and this route dips toward the road. Follow this route to explore lone pillars on the road’s south side, or turn north to trace the bottom of the cliffs.

CAS006

Location: 38.8527766, -100.1648625

Follow the road back toward the parking lot, but tuck back into the rocky wonderland at this towering 40-pillar near the first car turn-around.

CAS007

Location: 38.8538625, -100.1672673

Headed north toward Castle Rock, there’s an impressive fin. Climb the crumbling little hills on your right and begin traversing an open field heading north.

CAS008

Location: 38.8570206, -100.1680612

Cross over this old fence en-route to Castle Rock’s namesake (and most dramatic) formation, but bear left to check out the rounded grey mounds west of the spire.

CAS009

Location: 38.8611477, -100.1697564

Towering over 60 feet, Castle Rock is an impressive formation of soft sandstone, shale and chalk, and it marks this route’s northernmost point. After taking an up-close look, follow the road or the singletrack on its east side back toward the parking area.

Castle Rock

Location: 38.8565194, -100.1689625

Looking northeast to this area’s namesake feature.

Cliffs

Location: 38.8536954, -100.1653576

A view of the chalky stone cliffs from this route’s starting point.

Trail

Location: 38.8530938, -100.1658726

Trails wind over and around rocky formations along the bottom edge of the cliffs. Pick your path by following already-worn trails.

Tunnel

Location: 38.8530688, -100.1657975

Plenty of arches and tunnels provide exciting detours as you pick your way up to the ridgeline.

Arches

Location: 38.8530604, -100.1658404

Chalky Stone

Location: 38.8525591, -100.1656902

The chalky stone–once an ocean floor–is soft and leaves white residue where it touches hands and clothing.

Staircase

Location: 38.8524004, -100.1655722

It might be impossible to follow this mapped route exactly, look for steps carved in the cliffs and follow your own line to the ridge.

Trails

Location: 38.8519408, -100.1657009

Looking down on trails that criss-cross the base of the cliffs.

Cliffs

Location: 38.8514228, -100.1657653

Spire

Location: 38.8509716, -100.1647997

Looking down from the cliff-tops onto a spire and car-park turn around area.

Tower

Location: 38.849735, -100.1648426

A hiker explores this formation on the loop’s southern edge.

Formations

Location: 38.849735, -100.1633406

Spire

Location: 38.8527513, -100.1648426

Looking up at the 60-foot spire below the cliffs.

Fin

Location: 38.8538792, -100.1667416

A fin, or narrow ridge, of rock alongside the trail.

Nests

Location: 38.8540714, -100.1667523

Look carefully under rock overhangs for these nests built onto the cliffs.

Fence

Location: 38.8570708, -100.168072

Castle Rock is on private property and old fences criss-cross the area.

Castle Rock

Location: 38.8423817, -100.1699066

This sign points the way to the otherworldly landscape of Castle Rock, 1 mile north on County Road 80.

Grey

Location: 38.8589683, -100.170415

The yellowish hue of the main cliff area gives way to grey tinted formations on the area’s north side.

Castle Rock

Location: 38.8612981, -100.169735

These towering pinnacles are still being shaped by erosion. Major sections of the tower crumble occasionally with two notable sections collapsing in 1998 and 2001.

Road

Location: 38.86102, -100.1695567

A singletrack trail runs alongside this road back to the parking area.