Checking Kansas Off the Map: A Surprisingly Scenic Weekend
- Karen Israel
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
This trip started because of my travel map. I was gifted a US photo map for Christmas a few years ago and now I am set on getting a photo in every state! While I've been through Kansas on road trips as a kid, we never stopped anywhere to take pictures along the way so I needed to go and take one! Since Kansas borders Colorado, I was thinking it would just be a quick trip across the border to snap a photo since there really isn't much to see of or do in Kansas. Justin, however, had other plans! He found a 14.5 mile trail located along the shores of Elk City Lake. Keep reading to learn how this hike completely changed my mind about Kansas!
Planning the Trip
There wasn't much planning that went into this trip (contrary to how I like to do things!). How Justin managed to find this hike, I'm still not sure but when he told me we were going to be driving 9 hours all the way across Kansas for it, I figured why not? He picked Coffeeville as our home base and it ended up being the cute, historic town I didn't expect!
Elk City State Park
Elk City State Park is a public recreation area located in southeastern Kansas. The park lies on the eastern edge of the Flint Hills, encompassing wooded valleys and limestone bluffs that overlook Elk City Reservoir. The varied habitats of the area make it a great place to white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and numerous bird species. There are plenty of activities for everyone here whether you are into, camping, boating, fishing, hiking, or simply relaxing in nature. I have to admit, this area was nothing like what I expected from Kansas.
Hiking the Elk River Trail
Not knowing what to expect from this trail, I ended up loving it! The whole trail is 15 miles long and rated moderate with 951 ft of elevation gain. The trail is located on the northwest side of Elk City Lake, accessible from two main trailheads. The east trailhead (which is where we started from) begins on the lake and the west trailhead is located near Hwy 160 bridge over the Elk River. There is also the Oak Ridge trailhead located along the middle so there are lots of options on where to start this trek! We had planned to only do a few miles but ended completing a little over 12 miles round trip! We didn't run across too many other hikers and those that we did were backpackers. This is very popular for backpackers as primitive camping is allowed anywhere along the trail. We even came across a boy scout troop along the way. The trail is very well marked by blue paint.
Exploring Historic Coffeyville
I knew absolutely nothing about Coffeyville when we picked it as out home base for the weekend but it ended up being a super cute town with a rich history. Founded in 1869 by Colonel James A. Coffey as a trading post, it was officially incorporated in 1873. The town's name was famously a decided by a coin toss between Coffey and U.S. Army Captain Napoleon B. Blanton. Coffeyville's biggest claim to fame occurred on October 5, 1892 when the Dalton Gang attempted to make outlaw history by simultaneously robbing two banks. Because the Daltons had been previously linked to the area, the townspeople were able to recognize them through their disguises and after a fierce 12-minue gun battle, four outlaws were killed and Emmett Dalton was captured. This shootout effectively destroyed the Dalton Gang and marked the end of the Wild West outlaw area in the region.
Today, the town embraces its history and the Coffeyville Historical Society manages destinations such as Death Alley and the Dalton Defenders Museum. If you plan your visit for the first full weekend in October, you'll be able able to check out Dalton Defender Days! This annual event commemorates the lives lost defending the town against the Dalton Raid.
What Surprised Me Most About Kansas
What surprised me most about Kansas was how peaceful and scenic it actually felt. Before this trip, I mostly pictured endless flat farmland, but southeast Kansas offered a completely different experience. Even driving across Kansas I found it to be far more than the vast flat cornfields I'd expected. Between the wooded trails, rolling hills, lake views, and quiet small-town atmosphere, it felt far more diverse and beautiful than I expected. There was something refreshing about visiting a place that isn’t overcrowded or constantly talked about online. It was a good reminder that there is beauty everywhere and we need to remember to give the underrated places a chance to. Sure, the bucket list places deserve their spot, but don't forget to explore those lesser know spots. You never know what you might find.
Conclusion
Overall, this trip to Coffeyville and Elk City State Park ended up being so much more memorable than I expected. What started as a mission to simply “check Kansas off the map” turned into a reminder that every state has something worth exploring if you’re willing to look for it. Between the scenic hiking trails, peaceful lake views, and the charm of historic small-town Kansas, this trip completely changed my perspective on the state. It may not be the most talked-about destination, but that’s part of what made it feel so special. Sometimes the best adventures come from giving an overlooked place a chance. Have you hiked this trail? Let me know in the comments what you thought of it or any other underrated spot you think is worth checking out!
Comments