Alum Creek Trail and Prairie Trail

These looping hiking trails wind through the Smoky Hills. They generally follow the running Alum Creek and the hills provide a bit of relief. This area is diverse, grasslands, small oak-walnut-locus forest, early homesteads, and unique rock formations. This trail system follows Alum Creek as it joins the Smoky Hill River at the Northwest end of Kanopolis Lake. These trails will support 1 hr or day long hikes. This is one of the best trails in Kansas. If you enjoy Konza or Elk River you should give this a try. Wildlife along the northern parts of the trail ranges from white tail deer, coyote, turkey, quail, blue birds and other birds especially this time of year. Big thanks to the hiking shop in Lindsborg for their recommendation.

I personally hiked this Trail last week because I have very rarely ever been to the hiking trails and rock formations outside of Kanopolis State Park. The trailhead begins just Southwest of Mushroom Rock State Park, which if you haven't been there either definitely check it out it's a family favorite destination I know you will enjoy with just as much mystery about these odd and very rare mushroom shaped rock formations. On the Alum Creek Trail the first few miles of hiking is through Tallgrass Prairie, you will also pass through Cattle Paddock Gates that connect each section and depending on what time of year it is there is likely to be cattle grazing nearby as evidenced by the large Cow Patties LOL; so be sure to close the gates behind you. One of the highlights of the whole hike which totaled almost 14 miles one way ending @ Horsethief Canyon in Kanopolis State Park is passing through the Red Rocks Canyon. I've never seen sandstone rocks so vibrantly bright red there is nothing like it anywhere around except Within this small area. About halfway through the journey the trail becomes a lot more difficult with many steep climbs as well as soft sandstone almost like a powdery silt will be experienced so make sure you step carefully because you are many miles from any form of help. Usually there are maps at the beginning of the trail head so be sure to grab one, if not, be sure to use Google Maps because you will get turned around very easily and walking a few extra miles depending on your water for food supply might be crucial to your survival. I took my girlfriend with me and she did very good considering she never been on one that far, however I was called Everything underneath the Sun and then some by the time we were done haha!! I recommend using a lot of bug spray as well, but all in all the wildlife views and scenic opportunities that are offered along this Trail make this my new favorite. As I mentioned before the trail is very long no matter which one you take so if you start to get a little tired go ahead and turn around rather than waiting for it to loop back around. This area also sits within the Smoky Hill wildlife area so be sure to not leave a Trace of you being there. I've been to Kanopolis Reservoir probably a million times, but this time I was actually able to see so many different things from a location I'd never seen before. I highly highly recommend this Trail to be added on your bucket list if you're in Kansas. I wish I'd have known about this place a long time ago. Even if you have a map be sure to use Google Earth or Maps because there's lots of different variations to the trails. At one point I even had to use my compass once it got dark in order to find my way back to the main trail when I took a more scenic route. Just remember the Alum Creek Trail is always posted with a Blue colored stake in the ground oh, and the Prairie Trail is marked with a Orange colored stake. Have fun and remember to bring your hiking essentials with you.

If your bored of walking the same route all the time and are looking to switch things up, this trail won't disappoint. But I recommend starting first thing in the morning so you don't end up far from your vehicle ...phones dying....and the sun is going down...lol ended up walking for 6+ hours the last 2 weren't fun haha

Trailhead is a few parking spaces and foot trails into to wildlife area.

It was pretty awesome.

There is so much trail available to hike. It's all marked with blue flagging tape. I would suggest a GPS and a map if you can find one. Some of it can be a bit confusing we did 7.25 miles out and back today. These trails will lead you back to the horse thief canyon area if you are willing to put the leg work in. We did the loop around red rock canyon . Several creek crossings. A few can be a challenge to cross without getting wet mostly due to beavers. Several gates. Just make sure to close them after passing through. Enjoy