Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve is just phenomenallllll, and I can honestly say it has some of…read morethe bestest trails in Kansas! I wish I got to know about this national reserve sooner but better late than never. It's about 1.5 away from Kansas City near Strong city (10 mins away) and Emporia (25 mins away). I went out to the vast grasslands on a late Sunday afternoon after stopping for lunch in Emporia and was completely blown away by the beauty. I had heard the trails are amazing, but I stayed on the easier starting trail and didn't go into the bison area since it's breeding season and they can be more aggressive. By the time I arrived, the visitor center had already closed, but friends told me the staff there are very friendly and share helpful details about the park, possible hazards, bison behavior, and even things like bugs you should avoid. The park has clean restrooms, and since it's open 24/7, you can even go stargazing but just remember it's at your own risk!!! There are three types of trails here: backcountry hikes that can take up to 12 hours, a wildlife trail that takes about 3 hours where you might spot bison, and front country trails that take about 2 hours and loop around a meadow. I've heard all of them are a lot of fun to explore. Honestly, if I could rate this place a 1000000/10 then I would!

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is one of the few places like this that is completely free to…read morevisit. Usually, national parks and preserves charge a fee, but not Tallgrass Prairie. And there's a lot of stuff to see, so you're getting a lot for nothing! You will be walking a bit here, so keep that in mind. Many of the outdoor exhibits are located a walk from each other. Stop at the visitor center first, where you can learn about the ecosystem of the area. You'll find out that this is the only National Park Service unit that's dedicated to celebrating the tallgrass prairie. This preserve is the largest expanse of tallgrass prairie left in the world, and you can see it here! It's kind of mind-boggling that this part of the United States used to be covered with tallgrass prairie, and now ... not so much, due to expansion. But you can step outside and see the grasses that used to cover the land as far as you could see. There are also some historic buildings to visit, which belonged to a family who ran the ranch. You can walk into the barn, explore the house and see the three-person outhouse. (Why would you want to use the restroom next to other people?) This was a very interesting place to visit, and it gave me a greater appreciation for this part of Kansas.

This was a really pretty area just outside of Lawrence. There is a small discovery center along…read morewith boardwalks. We saw a variety of birds and butterflies and thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The weather was cooler that day, and I would say that made it more enjoyable. I wouldn't want to go there on a super hot day.

Just south of Lawrence abutting the new bypass is 927 acres of outdoors like little else in Kansas…read more The Baker Wetlands may be one of the best kept secrets in Douglas County and the surrounding Lawrence area because its become a mecca of wildlife preservation that doubles nicely as an area rich with hiking, biking, running, or information at the visitor center, or the picnic tables, surely a sight from which to dine outdoors. Known properly as The Baker University Wetlands Research and Natural Area, it abuts the south side of the city in the Wakarusa River floodplain. The area contains 45 acres of native wetland prairie and acres of restored meadows, marshes, open water, shrubby and secondary growth and mature riparian woodlands. Why I love this area: it's outdoor Kansas as it might be unspoiled with some nice gravel paths for hiking and biking, and if you follow some of the access trails which are much rougher you can really get off the grid and deep into park and all its beauty. I counted three massive beaver dams along one creek on an extended walk today. There are literally hundreds of small birdhouses placed all over the park and one walk through will confirm that it's a haven for critters of all kinds. Most folks in town will know it from the view on the south side of the bypass where a mile long paved bike path runs next to the highway behind a sound barrier. And that's a beautiful view, but getting down into the middle of it is terrific. Access from the East where there's a parking area, the far Southwest (gravel lot), or the visitor center on the far West side (paved). This has become my go-to spot for long hikes and I've yet to not see a few others enjoying the same. Well worth the visit. Bring the kids. It's the anti-movie/mall/theme park experience which a little education and a lot of peace and quiet to boot. Pack a sack lunch and stop in one of the covered picnic areas out in the middle. It's a great place to have a gathering, or catch one of the quiet houses where you can enter and look out over a lake so the animals can't see you (mostly on the West side). No admission for anything that I'm aware of. Get there. If you're the outdoors type even only occasionally, this place is a breath of fresh air, literally, in more ways than one. From their web site: 487 Unique Plant Species 376 Vertebrate Species 75% of electricity is produced by a 10 KWH solar array.

I was told the volunteers at the center love it when a visitor comes in, looks around and says…read more "This is the most beautiful visitor center I have ever seen." Then finds the information they need, signs the guestbook and leaves with a smile. After 12 years of hearing this, they still feel pride in the state certified center! When you are traveling on I-35 and reach Ottawa Kansas, give yourself a treat and stop by for a cup of coffee and information or just take a rest break.

From the owner: Ottawa and Franklin County are the perfect place for a family vacation, a weekend getaway or some…read moreserious shopping. We hope you enjoy your visit and take time to tour our local attractions. We have everything from wonderful antique shops and great furniture stores to a fabulous quilting store with everything you ever will need. We offer superb dining options,including one of the best places for barbecue ribs in the Heartland to some of the best pizza you've ever tasted. We also have quality overnight lodging facilities available from six hotels and motels with more than 313 rooms and a newly opened bed and breakfast. People who visit Franklin County continually marvel at our friendly nature, rural charm, rich history and late 19th and early 20th century Victorian architecture. Throughout the year, our communities host a number of exciting events, including the SWAN Arts Festival in the summer and the Power of the Past Antique Engine and Tractor Show and Ol' Marais River Run Car in the

The Litton Visitor Center at Smithville Lake is many different things in one building. It's main…read morefunction is to be place to check in and get a sense of what Smithville Lake has to offer, how to get there, and rules when you arrive. There are the normal maps and guide books for not only the area but all lakes in the Midwest. It is also a historical museum of the history of the lake, the city and the region - including Jesse James and family. Another wing is devoted to the US Army Corp of Engineers, conservation, the archeology of the area, and the animal habitat - including fossils and taxidermy. Another wing is devoted to Congressman Jerry Litton- a political shooting star in the 1970's that died in a plane crash the night of winning the US Senate Democratic primary. Many believe he could have been president at some future point and all believe he would have tried. There is also a interior lookout tower 2 flights up with great panoramic views of the dam and lake. There is definitely something here to interest everybody that is visiting the lake: Historians, Politicos, Nature Lovers, kids, campers and boaters, and even just the Sunday afternoon wanderers.

Great place to go to find out about St. Joseph! Plan your day, weekend, or the rest of your life…read more.. I'm just sayin', there is a lot to do!

A little escape in the middle of the city. With a large lake with fishing , boat rental, swim beach…read moreand more (even scuba diving with permit) Hiking and biking trails. Disc Golf and a dog park. There is plenty of stuff for everyone. Rent a shelter and have a party, take the kids to one of the many playgrounds. Catch one of the Theater in the Park shows or go sky gazing. This park has a lot to offer.

I absolutely adore Shawnee Mission Park! It's huge- 1.6k acres and has a 120 acre lake. There is…read moreplenty of walking paths and places to park. A wonderful place to catch a gorgeous Kansas sunset, go on a walk, play sports, I've even attended a wedding rehearsal here. There's so much to do year round and it's perfect for so many occasions.