Bicycles, motorcycles, ATVs are not permitted on Konza trails. Hiking the Konza Prairie. The Konza Prairie is a 10-15 minute drive south of Manhattan, KS. Most of Konza was once a part of the Dewey Cattle Ranch. The trail system that's part of the Konza Prairie consists of over a dozen miles of great hiking! To get to the Konza Prairie Nature Trail and hiking trail without using GPS coordinates, follow these driving instructions for a way to get there: from south Manhattan, KS take Hwy 18 (Polsbury Rd) eastward. The most popular trails are Kings Creek Loop, Self-Guided Nature Trail Loop and Godwin Hill Loop. The wood rat's huge stick nest is often found at the base of large rocks. Grothe was expected to return to her unit from … Great views! That day, like yesterday, I took a hike. Turn south onto FM901 (McDowell Creek Rd) to Konza Prairie Lane. The trail is lined with limestone pea gravel or follows a service road that is either bare dirt or limestone gravel. Konza Prairie Biological Station (KPBS) is located on a 3,487 hectare native tallgrass prairie preserve jointly owned by The Nature Conservancy and Kansas State University. by Jody May 6, 2020. Prairie Hiking: Wide-Open Spaces. 8 reviews of Konza Prarie Biological Station "Here's a neat little trail system, almost like a state park, this is used by the local university (Kansas State University) for biological research. Submitted by John Briggs. You may lean over to your hiking partner and say "George, we're not in Kansas anymore! Hiking – Konza has three main trails that total about 12 miles in length: The Nature Trail (2.4 miles) – Perfect for the interstate traveler who wants to stretch their legs without loosing too much time. The Konza Prairie Biological Station is a 3,487-hectare (8,616 acre, 13.5 sq mi) preserve of native tallgrass prairie in the Flint Hills of northeastern Kansas.It is located south of Manhattan, Kansas and its southern boundary parallels Interstate 70.A scenic overlook exists on the preserve's eastern boundary along K-177. Saved by Marny Burke. It is set on 3,487 hectare of native tallgrass prairie. The trails are sometimes closed due to wet weather or planned burning. 8,600 acres of quiet, rolling hills marked with flint and limestone dominate the landscapes around Manhattan KS. Konza Prairie Research Natural Area: Konza Prairie Hike - See 83 traveler reviews, 87 candid photos, and great deals for Junction City, KS, at Tripadvisor. See all Konza Prairie Research Natural Area trails. Kansas State University Division of Biology manages the land that is owned by the Nature Conservancy. Either way, you might get to glimpse a bison or two. Konza Trail Map. The Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy (KRTC) manages the Flint Hills Trail and the Landon Trail, converting these former rail lines into non-motorized public trails and wildlife areas across Kansas.We are a grassroots, non-profit organization of local volunteers. Information about the NSF-funded Long-Term Ecological Research program at Konza Prairie It is managed by Kansas State University to be used as a research natural area to study the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Konza Prairie Trails Three trails comprise the established hiking options at Konza Prairie with distances of 2.6, 4.6 and 6.2 miles; $2 trail fee requested; hiking only. Hudson Trail The shrub community is an important habitat for Bell's vireos, collared lizards, and eastern wood rats. Turn onto Konza Prairie Lane and drive about 0.5 mile. $2 contribution is appreciated. Kansas’ Konza Prairie Is An Oasis Of Beauty Almost Anyone Can Hike. Yesterday, I hiked it with my husband and two sons. Note: As of September 2019, this trail is temporarily closed for maintenance. The KPBS is located in the Flint Hills of northeastern Kansas (39°05’ N, 96°35’ W), a grassland region of steep-slopes overlain by shallow limestone soils unsuitable for cultivation. While you are checking that out, look around their website for details to help you be better prepared for your trip to visit the trails, such as: there is a suggested donation of $2. Extensive research is conducted here on prairie ecosystems. While in graduate school at Kansas State University, I discovered the Konza and spend many days hiking its various trails. Pets and bikes are not permitted. Hiking Konza Prairie Thursday, July 10, 2014 Hiking , Kansas 10 Comments. Feb 20, 2012 - Fabulous nature trail through The Konza Prairie and Flint Hills. Kansas Usa … 7 Beautiful And Scenic Trails In Kansas That Are Perfect For Beginners. Experience Flint Hills geology throughout the trail system. Pets also strictly prohibited. Grothe works as a Warrant Officer and was believed to be hiking on the Konza Prairie Nature Trail. The Kings Creek Loop Trail at the Konza Prairie Natural Area is about 4.5 miles long. I spent a marvelous couple of hours hiking the 6 mile trail here yesterday... Read more. 8 Reviews (785) 539-1961 Website. Konza Prairie Biological Station is privately-owned property by The Nature Conservancy and K-State for research purposes, but it has set aside hiking trails for public access, according to a March 8 K-State Today announcement. Limestone outcrops characterize the Konza Prairie landscape. To preserve the wildlife, landscape and research, rules are in place for the hiking trails. The Konza Prairie Trail is a special beloved attraction in the area. In the 1970's, the Nature Conservancy purchased the property, over 13 square miles. Konza Prairie Trails. For those of us who haven’t hiked a lot but want to make it a good part of this year, you’ll enjoy these beginners trails that offer a wide variety of length and scenery. Students from Kansas State, just up the road, study this region, hoping to preserve the prairie. The dominant plants of the tallgrass prairie are grasses. ", but trust me, you still are. She has light brown hair, brown eyes, she stands 5′4″ tall and weighs around 130 pounds. Six miles of hiking trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. We opted for the whole shebang. Kansas is full of natural scenery that’s always blowing us away. The terrain between the three main trail loops consists of everything from wooded lowland and streams to scenic vistas overlooking beautiful Flint Hills scenery. All three trails begin at the same place. We’re somewhere around 87% farmland, which is a lot to consider, especially with how much area we have to work with. Starting at the western end in a parking lot off US 160, the trail immediately dives into the forest, meandering through a veil of broad deciduous trees. These trails range from 0.1 to 5.2 miles in length. This is where the prairie and forest meet in the Flint Hills. Konza Prairie's hiking trails wind through lowland gallery forest, cross Kings Creek, and climb over ancient limestone ledges into the native tallgrass prairie. Trails. Please check with the natural area page for more information. When you click here you will find the address and directions to the Konza Prairie Trails. The hiking routes in the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area consist of one large loop trail trisected by connector trails. Menu & Reservations Make Reservations . Saved from keep.konza.k-state.edu. Visit Konza Prairie | Konza Environmental Education Program. It’s certainly no secret that Kansas has a lot of prairie. As we discussed in our latest podcast, the Konza is one of my favorite places to go hiking. John Briggs, director of the Konza Prairie Biological Station, reminds the public to follow rules on the hiking trails at Konza Prairie.Rules are not being followed, which may result in closure of the trails. It is listed as one of the 8 Geographic Wonders of Kansas (www.kansassampler.org), and if you haven’t been there, put it on your list. They can sometimes be seen from the hiking trail. AUSTIN, Texas — A warrant officer assigned to Fort Riley, Kan., has been found dead along a hiking trail miles outside of the Army base, base officials said. Literally. These hills go from Oklahoma to the far north part of Kansas along the east central part of the state. Welcome to the prairie. The body of Warrant Officer Nicole Grothe, 38, was found July 22 at the Konza Prairie Nature Trail. Don't make eye contact. The trails are moderate with occasional steep climbs, uneven footing and narrow pathways. You can take a self guilding day-hike, or camp overnight at the tent sites. Konza Prairie Research Natural Area: Hiking in the Prairie - See 83 traveler reviews, 87 candid photos, and great deals for Junction City, KS, at Tripadvisor. Access from Manhattan via McDowell Creek Road, and drive south 8 miles. 100 Konza Prairie Ln Manhattan KS 66502. At the highest points, enjoy spectacular views of the Flint Hills and the Kansas River Valley. That day, I hiked the nearby beautiful Konza Prairie Trail with my best hiking buddy. June 2020. Konza Prairie Research Natural Area has 15 hiking trails. Using the connectors, one may choose any of three hikes: the 2.8-mile Self-Guided-Nature-Trail Loop, the 4.8-mile King’s Creek Loop, or the 6.3-mile Godwin Hill Loop. Definitely the best "hiking" in Kansas. The trail itself is very well maintained, easily traversable but does have a few notable moderately inclined areas, but otherwise is easy to navigate. It's the easiest hiking on Earth, and you get to sleep with buffalo, listen to coyotes sing, and bask in quiet so deep you can hear the grasslands growing. Help keep the trails open on Konza Prairie. A trail guide is available at the trailhead that describes key points and geography of the Flint hills prairie.