The park is open to any non-motorized travel – hiking, biking and horseback riding – and is accessible for electric wheelchairs in many locations. There are no permits required to enjoy the park.
This crown jewel of Kansas trails extends 117 miles from Osawatomie to Herington. It is the seventh-longest rail-trail in the U.S. and the longest trail in Kansas. It follows the general route of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail and is a component of the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail. In October 2020, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced the trail has been designated a National Recreation Trail. NRT designation promotes some of our country's highest-caliber trails with the intention of providing recreation access to rural and urban communities, economic development through tourism, and healthy recreation opportunities.
As of fall 2020, of the 89 miles that are open and traversable between Osawatomie and Council Grove, about 59 miles have been developed with new surfacing, infrastructure, and safety improvements. Where open, it is well-maintained. There are currently no restrooms or water fountains next to the trail and some of it is still under construction, so plan accordingly. The segment between Council Grove and Herington is closed.
Flint Hills Trail State Park crosses the Flint Hills, one of the last remaining tallgrass prairie ecosystems in the world. It is home to abundant prairie plants and wildlife species, spectacular views, national historic sites, and a diverse set of recreational areas. On eastern portions of the trail, hikers and bikers travel along the Marais Des Cygnes River, between rushing waters and towering bluffs, through rolling farmland and riparian woodlands. Flint Hills Trail State Park connects with Prairie Spirit Trail State Park in Ottawa.
