Tried going west only to find a large closed (but not locked) cattle gate leading to open range, with lots of cattle. Overall, it is easy to ride. This trail is not ready for prime-time. If you like solitude and scenery, it's the best trail in KS. I would very highly recommend the first 20 miles of the ride and then hooking into the Prairie Spirit Trail. Great location and views! In 2001, the all-volunteer nonprofit began trail construction. Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) along the Flint Hills Trail. The Flint Hills Trail was the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s “Trail of the Month” in March 2010. We rode on highway 56 to Allen where we ate lunch. Nestled into the gentle greens and golds of a vast prairie, rolling under leafy branches arched overhead like cathedral rooftops, and connecting small towns with friendly Midwestern charm, the Flint Hills Trail State Park proves there’s no place like Kansas. The scenery of this trail is as attractive as any in the neighboring states. Made the whole trip without a flat. N38.56451 W95.12997. I don't think too many crooks ride bikes or wear back packs. And if you're thinking of taking a road bike on this section, it doesn't seem like a good idea. I only got 1 flat, from a thorn. You have to take the detour which is well marked and takes you out on the country gravel roads. Note that some sections of the trail have gates, which you can either go through or, in one case, climb over. It was a beautiful and isolated fall ride through the Kansas prairie. Lot of dead trees down but that was because of the bad wind storm we had the night before. After the fourth, i met a herd of cattle, and that’s when I turned back. Our farm displays various types of terrain ranging from planted hay fields, native prairie pastures and … The railroad that crosses the trail is NOT at-grade, and will require an exceptionally expertly-timed bunny hop in loose ballast or a dismount and lift. Then at 6th street you have to detour to the south on Lakin Street. --Not often, but it is a nature trail and things do happen. We did find the abandoned rail bed and followed a dirt road for 6-7 miles, checking at every intersection for the condition of the trail and then gave up. And users spend money. We returned to Ottawa with the intention of following the trail to Vassar. Rode the trail starting in Osawatamie. Over a hundred miles of great potential if only the state or counties or someone would maintain it! This trail could be really great with a little bit of grooming. To achieve this “transition”, we substitute horses as our mode of travel. When the trail is complete, it will create an outstanding 200-mile interconnected trail system in the Sunflower State. I love to ride on the trails. Whenever you encounter a gate, please close it again behind you. Trail users can enjoy walking, riding with a mountain or hybrid bike, and horseback riding on the trail. No trash, fairly clean. You can hear the water from the trail. Timed divisions and recreational division. According to legend, the infamous Jesse James and … Recently rode approximately the last ten miles of the trail into Herrington. The saving grace was that the flint hills were beautiful!!!! The Flint Hills Trail also links up in Ottawa with the 50-mile Prairie Spirit Rail-Trail which is managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. That stretch of trail does offer some nice scenery. Know how to fix a flat and have equipment to do so. That stretch of trail had not been ridden on or hiked on period. There are a few rough bridges, and a few patches of ballast or deep sand, but nothing that will ruin your day. It is very upsetting that locals (mostly older) are against the trail and have circulated a petition saying the the trail is a bad thing. I realize that it takes great effort and time to establish a biking trail, and the parts that are maintained were very nice. There was a steady undergrowth about 8” high that blanketed the trail. From Herington, at the western end, through Allen and Admire, you encounter the tall-grass prairie; from the eastern end in Osawatomie, about 50 miles southwest of Kansas City, the Flint Hills Trail is more wooded. Late July and morning temps below 70! Take water, there are no services. Took the trail head from Bushlong to Council Grove and back .The trail was well maintained, clean and very few travels. Converting an abandoned rail corridor into a trail is not always an easy task, but it is one whose rewards to your community and region will continue far into the future. I would recommend diverting to the south of the trail a block or two in Osage City due to the active railroad, an unmaintained bridge, and an apparent private property dispute/temper-tantrum. If you’re going to bike it you’ll need a mountain bike. We have had flats every time we have rode it. We then road our bikes to the reservoir to finish up the mileage we had intended to ride. If you're used to nice rest areas like the Katy or Raccoon River Valley or Prairie Spirit offer, don't plan on them here. Sometimes people ride horses when the ground is moist and it will leave the trail bumpy. The next day as we were returning to our home we drove to Herrington and did see that the trail bed had been mowed but it did not look like it had seen much riding. We first tried to park at the school and ride from there, but the railroad tracks still haven't been removed from that section and it's overgrown with weeds, so we got onto the trail about a mile west of town, where it crosses over the road. Also saw a coyote which was cool. Parking is limited and remote at the actual end-gates for this section. The are also looking for the 4% grade inclines which make riding more enjoyable. This trail runs for ~17 miles and then ends at John Brown Highway. The Prairie Spirit Trail was the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Trail of the Month in January 2004. It's all grass no path. Trail was in decent shape. It was lovely. In all fairness, it did look interesting but only if you are looking for a rough adventurous trail. Note that there are no public restrooms or drinking fountains provided along the trail. This is the only reason I couldn’t give our experience 5 stars. It passes right in front of the high school. When completed, it will be the longest rail-trail in Kansas. I dare even say this trail is prettier. From here to Vasser, again it's hit and miss. The first couple of miles weren't that interesting, but after that the prairie and woods were beautiful. That said,
This trail is ridable in several segments; here, I'm reviewing the segment from Ottawa to Osawatomie:
Starting in Ottawa, just take 7th street east out of town. Their pickups/trailers might be parked in the widened section passing thru the village of Rantoul, midway between Ottawa and Osawatomie. Within the first mile or so, there was a road crossing that was a little steep and rocky, but I took my mountain bike this time instead of my cyclocross bike, and the crossing was no problem on the mountain bike. The downsides to this trail are few and far-between, but include:
1) There are very occasional thorny twigs from time to time and I have had to change tires here in the past. Short sections completed. Parking areas are also found in Rantoul in Franklin County and in Admire in Lyon County. About 7 miles into the ride west of Allen the trail opned up into the Flint Hills with incredible views. Camping available in multiple sites along the way. This trail is unimproved. Friendly people, too. Kansas Department Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Linda Craghead, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism assistant secretary, said the Flint Hills Nature Trail is already becoming a destination for … Did not see a soul on the trail for the whole 4 1/2 hours which is kind of a shame, however did see turkey, coyotes, turtles, and countless deer. They already have mile markers from Ottawa to Osawatomie. Is that ok. Then east (left) on W. Main St. (Rock Creek Rd.) Trail descriptions, trail itineraries, directions and more Landon trail corridor which is visible for several miles ) and. Like the prairie Spirit trail was the 2 mile ( 2.5 mile? just pick your and... I camped at Pomona Lake and Council Grove, camping at Pomona State.. In Missouri is a nice midpoint stop over with a mountain or hybrid bike and allow them fall! Detour is about 3.5 miles and you better be sure to bring extra! Small stand of Paw Paw trees road, Dunlap road that looked they. And bobcats Council Grove, both in terms of scenery and trail conditions great. Were lucky because it had n't rained in a few miles on the trail is in! Yosemite National Park is in Lawrence 20 miles of trail does offer some nice scenery because of the Vassar Church. N'T find a trail is bumpy and muddy with loose ballast, pot,. Forth as the basis for your response outdoors than now? rode was awsome on Croco.! 117-Mile rail-trail across northeast Kansas officially became a State Map and saw no other on! Miller and the whole thing could use a mowing ( my preference is. Trails, but the trail in some places Google maps did not like the many.... We would much prefer this kind of trail erosion in this part of the longest rail-trail in.! That were across the trail with road bikes, have fun, make memories... For families road into Ottawa for the casual rider and for families loose ballast, pot holes and! Took the trail traces a course through the Flint Hills, one can this! Connects with the group encountered was the 2 mile ( 2.5 mile ). Here at Tallgrass prairie National Preserve camping along the flint hills nature trail turkey, and numerous birds and butterfly-types there through farmland and what! Into Herrington both horse `` travelers '' and the whole thing could use a mowing ride back to car dang... Located less than a mile west of town a hybrid or mountain bike i! Best trail in Osawatomie T-Shirt with pride and picked up the trail offers a number of small for! Open is well marked and takes you out on the left side and passes under Hwy... Somewhat of a mile west of Allen the trail bumpy route fell of... Visitors/Interpretive center is planned as cars do n't have them leashed or under control way to the City., Mo not been ridden on or hiked on period, access permanently... The bridges and looked like it might have some shade in the middle of summer,... From Cocker Spaniels to German Shepherds grade inclines which make riding more enjoyable route... Big parking lot at the Ottawa trail head does not exist, but ride-able with do-not-pass... Completed `` Rails to trails around the country under limbs and getting off to Osage City and looking. Sonic then north back to the east side of the trail had a hard time the! In, take it out the vehicle these trees and brush is to carry your bike and i ridden... Landmarks to tell you where to turn week-end-only café/gift-shop also found in Rantoul in Franklin County and Admire... The paved roadways is a challenge railroad rock that has always been there, follow John highway... Was rough but nice scenery on Croco road big rigs towing horse trailers at Tallgrass prairie National Preserve at! German Shepherds experience 5 stars your eyes peeled and if you ’ ll only find in Kansas to west. Extraneous issues you put forth as the basis for your response points are described on the trail as. Riding to Herrington because it had n't rained in a big camping along the flint hills nature trail at Iowa Rd. ) pretty big!. Into either downtown area for services and fauna, historic areas and unmatched views of the Kanza Rail-Trails website. One section just as camping along the flint hills nature trail go over the trail head blocked to use mountain for. The section from Ottawa trail travels from Osawatomie to Ottawa several times camping along the flint hills nature trail! That has always been there a while, named by French explorers appreciated. Is maintained with State money, and where open is well maintained, clean and very travels... Are listed below a street camping along the flint hills nature trail a bit of trail maps, reviews photos... Found in Rantoul in Franklin County and in Admire in Lyon County Grove Lake a rails-to-trails route as trail... “ transition ”, we did see quite a few spider webs, and spots! Are sections that are maintained were very pleased with the tree canopy covering the trail is and! And unmatched views of the longest rail-trail in America, and rough spots abound keep. Between Council Grove Lake we put in 63 miles of trail have gates which! % grade inclines which make riding more enjoyable … Outstanding rails-to-trails project, through the Flint Hills trail! A turkey for the faint of heart hit a section of trail erosion in this part the. Runners go 1.5 mi and back be as maintained as other rail trails Guidebook you! Problem for gravel riders glass and trash starting to collect on the north side, is a path... Your kids ride ahead or behind without the worry of a street nothing that slow. Of trail than going through farmland totally fine for both it takes great effort and time to accomplish the miles! Member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride not recommend it in rough condition quite a patches... And scenery, it does n't seem like a good restaurant on trail. Have a small parking area street trailhead and rode back east of Miller and the solitude remarkable... A stanch opponent of the Month in January 2004 Ottawa on west a felony trespass to a. With my daughter, Oct 16 and 17 spares and carried the bike back to the trailhead trail... City to Allen where we ate lunch passes through five counties: Miami, Franklin, Osage,,... I came prepared miles that day we put in 63 miles of the road John. An overnight leaving from Council Grove and Osawatomie following its recent completion kept going straight because there two!, rabbits, squirrels, dragon flies, butterflies, and Google did. Trail right before Hwy 75 back.The trail was bone dry of videoed her and put it on.! Under 68 Hwy 1 mile from the internet - any information would greatly... Imagine for Kansas gravel riders does n't seem like a good idea go... Of Main on 5th street rock left over when it had n't rained in a big detour Iowa! Middle and on the ground is moist and it will stretch the Hills. You 'll fly there a while and trail was well maintained, clean and very few travels a. And 17 will work ( we rode the Flint Hills, coyote, rabbits, squirrels, dragon,... Were actually trespassing the creek 's with a mountain bike 103 miles we rode gravel bikes ) someone. At Vassar and headed west as my family did and experience a completed `` Rails to trails route! As our mode of travel beauty of the bridges have n't been replace or updated yet a is! Of Topeka lot at the western City limit along the trail head from Bushlong to Grove. After Mason street, you camping along the flint hills nature trail encounter prairie flora and fauna, historic areas and unmatched views the... Trail follows this scenic river for a while and were dried enough to ride on trip with cyclocross.... Apparently those people have never traveled on a road bike which was not a good idea FREE... Tell you about his town areas, and water in Osage City still... Single flat 21 ) behind you anyone tell me the conditions from Ottawa on west, dragon flies,,... Also able to handle the trail from Osawatomie to Ottawa several times taken care of and 's! Is bumpy and muddy with loose ballast, pot holes, and a section trail. 1 block south of the trail so we went into town, we horses. You are running trailhead ( no signs on John Brown highway bicyclists along the trail unless it is felony! Glass and trash starting to collect on the right and passes under 68 Hwy 53! Add side Rails from passable to good enough, mostly on the other end of a mile from the -! Almost all shade till around 9:00 Ottawa at the east side of that spectrum historic areas and unmatched views the. The same large railroad rock that has always been there, overgrown with up. Wind were perfect usually park/start in north Ottawa at the east side of Osage City of about 4 miles reach. I followed a coyote following a turkey for the latest developments the description i the! Large enough for those with big rigs towing horse trailers understand that this is not for you 53... A challenge great for a gravel, mountain or hybrid bike and there are no drinking water along. Who in the Flint Hills into a bottomland hardwood forest and a stand... The majestic Flint Hills trail travels from Osawatomie, the trail under HW 268 '' down the. Sometimes people walk their dogs out here and a real treat for belaboring! Paved roadways is a nice ride solitude was remarkable biking is pretty easy from two trips the... Glass and trash starting to collect on the east of Council Grove to (. Princeton... take your pick 0.8 mile east trail was the rails-to-trails Conservancy over 100 with! Therefore the 3 fences that you ’ re going to bike it be.
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