Kanopolis State Park

About Kanopolis State Park

The first Kansas State Park since 1955 has attracted visitors from eastern Ellsworth County for its scenic views of the Kansas River and the Great Plains. Kanopolis is located on the eastern edge of Kansas City, Kansas, north of Rolla, and has a population of about 2,000 people and a total area of 1,500 acres.

The park has 14 campgrounds, Langley Point and Horsethief, located on the east side of the Kansas River at the northern end of Kanopolis State Park. It has a total area of about 1,500 hectares and a maximum capacity of 2,000 people per day.

The Buffalo Track Nature Trail is the most popular hiking trail in Kanopolis State Park and Kansas National Park. It starts in the National Park and runs through the park, with a total length of about 1,500 hectares and a maximum capacity of 2,000 people per day, and it offers a wide range of hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, camping and other activities.

The Alum Creek Trails run through the vast prairie with many water crossings, and further north and west the prairie trails cross the prairie of Red Rock Canyon. The Rockin 'K Trail takes visitors on a horse-drawn steelwork trail that winds through ravines and trees to its campsite.

You should be aware that it can take more than a day to walk all these paths, but it is worth it for the picturesque views.

The 3,500 hectare Kanopolis reservoir offers excellent fishing, and the best fishing is from March to June. The whitefish are the best fish, but also Valais, suckers, wipers and catfish are found by fishermen.

The lake is usually 4 feet above the protected level in summer, but the lake's proximity to the city of Kanopolis and its location in the center of the park contribute to its attractiveness.

Bison Creek is followed by the Buffalo Tracks Canyon Nature Trail, a 1.5 km path registered on the National Historic Register with scenic views of the city of Kanopolis and the creek itself. A brochure on the historic path is available at the park office and self-service station.

The Kanopolis Multi-Use Trail System Kanopolis offers a wide range of hiking trails, bike paths, tents and other activities. There are just about every hiking trail, with a few exceptions, such as the Buffalo Tracks Canyon Nature Trail and the Bison Creek Trail, as well as other hiking trails.

This is a comprehensive system that can take no more than a day, but it is one of the most popular hiking trails in Kanopolis State Park. The Nordschleife includes the Alum Creek Trails, which offer a wide range of hiking, biking, camping and other activities. This path leads to a sandstone gorge that is breathtaking and offers views of Lake Michigan, the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

There is no camping on this route, so contact the park office for more information about camping and other activities in Kanopolis State Park. The prairie trails and Alum Creek trails are closed for horse riding and mountain biking, but there are also camping trails.

The trails in the park, including the prairie trails and Alum Creek trails, and the trail network are open all year round, but there are safety precautions during hunting season. Some roads may be closed or closed due to low water crossings that become dangerous or temporarily impassable.

Always approach these junctions with caution and always park at least half a kilometre from the junction.

Hikers and mountain bikers use the Buffalo Track Canyon Trailhead (C) and horseback-campers use the Rockin 'K Campground Trail (A). Horsemen who are here during the day use Horsethief Canyon Trailheads (B), and horsemen who have been here all day use the HORSETHief Canyon Trailhead in the western end of the park. All trails start at Kanopolis State Park and end at Alum Creek Trailheads.

Please stay on designated paths, do not enter private property and keep within the designated path, even if it is only a few meters from the road.