Address: Elk City, KS 67344, USA
Phone: +15743361153
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
John Irving Jr
This is hands down my favorite trail in Kansas. Rough, rocky terrain. There is a fair amount of water on the trail if you have a good filter. Primitive places to camp all along the trail. Trail is blazed with blue. Well marked. Definitely a place to check out!
Raul Vasquez
Great place to take the family for a hike. It's about a two hour drive from Wichita but worth it to get away from the city for a while. I recommend this place for a nice trail hike, keep in mind there are NO restrooms here.
Melissa Frederick
One of the, if not the, best trails in Kansas. It's not as much strenuous as it is rugged. The ascents are steep but short. However, it's a very rocky trail. Within 2 miles of the east trailhead, you have a narrow descent where you have to put your pack on the rock, climb down, then reach up to retrieve your pack. It's about a 5 1/2-6' climb down. Not difficult but easier with a buddy. If you don't want to do 10 miles the first day, I recommend stopping at the bench that's just over 2 miles in from the east trailhead for your first night. There are 2-3 nice camping areas behind the bench; the first is maybe 30 yards in. Do 8 miles on day 2 to another beautiful camping area on the creek at mile 10 then do the final 5 on day 3. Water is more scarce during the summer than in spring. Be prepared to bushwhack down to the lake and river for water resupply when backpacking during the summer. ATT cell service is pretty good on most of the trail; having a GPS locator (InReach, SPOT, etc...) is always good due to the possibility of rolled or sprained ankles.
A Resident
This looks like a wonderful trail, however, I went at bad time of the year and the trail was flooded over. Also be aware there is a high concentration of Poison Ivy, ticks and mosquitoes depending on when you go. A road side would be beneficial in helping finding the trail head.
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I am not sure what you are asking, but elk river trail is a hiking trail in South Eastern Kansas?
They are free along the trail.
There are campsites about a third of a mile from the East trailhead at the outlet campground. There are no campsites at the West end
No and it is hard to find trail unless you look it up ahead of time because there is no signs on roads pointing them out. Also the trail will take many hours so I doubt you can do it in one day unless you are really fit and give it all day and are fast even with the rough terrain and elevation differences. Otherwise if you give the trek a few days, fantastic trail with wide variety throughout. Definitely recommend it.
If you type in Elk River Hiking Trail it takes you to the west trailhead ( at least my phone) but if you type in Elk City Fish and Wildlife Office 5089 Cr 2925, Independence, KS 67301... it will take you practically to the east trailhead. We went a few weeks ago and started on the west but turned back around and went to the east side. Its also super confusing because the maps at the trailheads are upside down, so north is down.
You stay right next to Reservoir throughout most of the hike, good trail to prep for bigger hikes. Overall elevation does not change much; although you hike thru each of the coves which means you will often drop in elevation as you enter cove or valley and then climb up other side. Great well thought out trail, but definitely lots of up and downs along the hike. Enjoy!
Yes from what I remember, should be fine.
Yes
It was pretty secure for me and my group of friends. We stayed the night with no complications. As long as you have no valuables, you should be fine.
No man start at the east side. All the really great rock formations are in the first mile. Then you get nice views off the cliff overlooking the lake
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