You can stroll, jog, or power walk, the choice is yours. Museums, parks are located along the way. Plenty of places to sit and enjoy the scenery. Very safe and families with their dogs come out in the evening.See more..
Dodge is a great place for any old west buff to re-live dreams of good guys and bad guys. There are re-enactments of gunfights and you might even get to meet Marshall Dillion or at least think that you have. Plan to spend at least half a day and if weather is nice and the wind is not blowing from the stockyards the half day may become a long and wonderful day and that evening you can dream of yourself riding the open range and chasing the 'bad guys'.See more..
4.5Manhattan River Trail(14 reviews) - Beautiful Trail for Cyclist, Joggers, Walkers and Dogs Hiking Trails
It's a treat trail close to Blue River. For cyclist, joggers and walkers, for anyone who want to have a great leg exercise and relaxing time. There are several segments; paved and crushed limestone over 9 miles in length and circles. The most beautiful one is the one that's follows Kansas and Big Blue rivers. There is also one that follows Wildcat Creek. There is a fantastic diverse wildlife of these areas. One of my favorite places for Saturdays. Highly recommend it!See more..
This was quite a nice place for a walk. Very nice path that you could bike on as well if you wanted. The view of the river is nice and it was interesting looking at the homes along the trail as well. Some were quite unique. It was a very pleasant experience and I would like to go back and do it again.See more..
4.5Merriam Marketplace(5 reviews) - Great way to spend the 4th of July Spent < 1 hour Parks • Hiking Trails
This venue is outside but under a roof which makes it a great place for events. This year was not as hot as some but it was rainy. The patriotic concert was free and quite good.See more..
These trails are absolutely gorgeous! They are well maintained and beautiful! I love that there is a lake and a creek on either side. They are so peaceful!See more..
3.5Frontier Park(3 reviews) - A somewhat natural oasis in town Spent 1-2 hours Parks • Hiking Trails
A somewhat natural oasis in town. If you want a close look at a bison you can get it. If you want disk golf you can have that. If you want a quiet walk, you might be able to get that depending on how busy the park is. There are places to have a picnic. Fishing is allowed in the creek. I like to go there to watch birds.See more..
3.0Wilderness Park(2 reviews) - Great nature walk Biking Trails • Hiking Trails
This 3.6 mile nature trail is mostly naturally shaded by trees with a compacted rock path the entire route. With several side paths you can easily shorten or lengthen your walk. The Casseletto Loop is by far the most fun. This loop has several changes in altitude with creek views, bridges, and intersects several side paths. We even saw deer on this section. There are some good climbs here. Additionally this loop twists and turns unlike the other main path which is just a straight road. We took a jogging stroller and covered the entire trail with no issue. That said there are some sections that were muddy and the bridge areas were uneven. I imagine after rain it may be worse. Walking and mountain bikes should be great here. You may want wear shoes that could get muddy and mosquito spray. Also plan on your own water and no restrooms. This path is fantastic and fun. We can't wait to come back. See more..
5.0Oregon Trail Nature Park(1 review) - Great family oriented park Hiking Trails Hiking tails for most levels of fitness from easy to a bit more difficult. Beautiful area with streams and a small pond, restrooms and shelterhouse. Also you can hike up a fairly steep trail that overlooks a large lake.See more..
3.0Kansas Landscape Arboretum(1 review) - A forest stroll Spent 1-2 hours Hiking Trails If you are staying at nearby Milford Lake, the Kansas Landscape Arboretum is a nice afternoon stroll. It's one of those quirky little (193 acres) parks that you stumble across nearly by accident. There's about three miles of mostly level ground hiking, but we did see five deer. The park is old and some of the trail structures reflect that, but it was still nice enough to recommend to friends.See more..
4.0Prairie Spirit Trail State Park(1 review) - Get away from the crowds Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 2-3 hours Biking Trails • Hiking Trails If you enjoy small towns and rural scenery, you'll enjoy hiking or biking the Prairie Spirit Trail. This rail trail runs for 51 miles from Ottawa to Iola in Eastern Kansas with a gravel chat surface. It's mostly level and dries fairly quickly after rain. Much of the trail is shaded by trail side trees, but some sections display rolling hills, watering holes, cattle, ranchlands, prairie wildflowers and family farms. As the trail runs north and south, trail users will usually have a breeze. Bring your bug spray if visiting in the summer. Garnett, KS is one of the best trailheads utilizing the old rail depot as a visitor center. Even on holiday weekends, the trail is not crowded. Motels can be found at Ottawa, Garnett and Iola.See more..
5.0Prairie Spirit Trail(1 review) - Beautiful for biking, shade most of the way Biking Trails • Hiking Trails • Jogging Paths & Tracks
Prairie Spirit Trail State Park is a linear park that starts in Ottawa and runs south to Iola covering a distance of 51 miles. This review is for the section of the trail from Ottawa to Princeton, a distance of about nine miles. The trail starts at Santa Fe Train Depot museum and crosses the Marais Des Cygnes river, and soon the trail runs on lanes in the center of a busy street for about a half mile before the safe trail starts up again at about mile marker 59. I suggest avoiding this initial section of trail for biking, instead walk the first half mile leisurely enjoying the river and the bridge. Then, heading south, the trail crosses some neighborhood roads and goes past the beautiful Kanza Park. Take a small detour and enjoy riding the lovely trail circumscribing this park. Then get back on the trail, and soon you will be at the designated Ottawa trailhead at mile 61.5. Then in about a half mile, you will ride under I-35 highway after crossing two highway ramps. The true green nature trail starts south of I-35 (mile marker 62) and continues on to Princeton. The trail through Ottawa is paved with concrete, and the rest is hard-packed fine gravel. The trail is beautiful with varying scenery including prairie, riparian areas, farm lands. The trail is well maintained and easy to ride, though a few of the rural gravel road crossings are bumpy. Birds and ground animals a common sight on the trail. There are some informative signboards at rest benches along the way. As mentioned before, the trail continues on south for another 42 miles. Note that the mile markers appear to be old rail road mile markers and are not necessarily trail distance measured from the starting point. If I rode this trail again, I would start from Princeton Trailhead and ride north to mile marker 62 (I-35), and skip the urban section in Ottawa. Of course, the trail going south from Princeton appears to be equally beautiful, though I have not ridden the whole trail.See more..
5.0Clear Creek Trail(1 review) - Versatile and Beautiful Trail Spent 1-2 hours Biking Trails • Hiking Trails
Clear Creek Trail in Shawnee is a beautiful trail great for walking or biking. The approximately three and a half mile trail starts at Route 7 and runs east to meet up with Gary Haller Trail. It is concrete paved all the way. The west section running next to Clear Creek is s especially beautiful providing beautiful views of the creek. Birds abound on this section of the trail. Also the trail runs through the lovely Gamblin Park. The only drawback is that there is a short break in the trail on residential neighborhood road and one has to cross Woodland Drive, a pretty busy road. Clear Creek Trail is a fully enjoyable trail suitable for all skill levels.See more..
