Explore the best rated trails in Ottawa, KS, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the 20th Street Trafficway Path and Prairie Spirit Trail State Park . With more than 63 trails covering 449 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We rode from the North Lawrence parking area (which is tricky to find) to the east end of the levee trail. Then from there we rode to the River Front parking area before returning to our starting point. There were porta potties at each trailhead. The trail surface is compacted gravel. The wide trail is elevated above the surrounding area which enhances the view but which also gives you more exposure to the wind. The trail crosses under the Massachusetts street bridge. We enjoyed the east portion of the trail in particular because we had river forest on one side and farm fields on the other. We plan to ride this trail again in the future.
We rode from 119th St trailhead to the 135th St trailhead and back. There are excellent parking areas at each trailhead. Porta-potties were available at trailheads. The paved trail surface was excellent. There were some steep punchy climbs as the trail went from one side of the cedar creek valley to the other. At the time we rode the trail ( December 2025) there was a pipeline construction project underway. The construction crossed the trail in 2 spots but the temporary gravel surface was passable. The trail had us feeling that we were out in the wilderness..
This trail was absolutely a delight to ride. We stayed in Council Cove in an rv park by the trail. We rode 18 miles out and back. We rode past Bushong and almost to Allen. I wish we would have had more time to do more of the trail. Fall is my favorite season and the countryside was beautiful!!
Nice wide path for both biking & walking. Starting at the tennis courts for easy secure parking works great. Very clean, no issues with feeling unsafe or homelessness. Connects with Indian creek trail so can ride or walk for a long ways.
The blazing star were blooming profusely! Lots of butterflies and dragonflies. The trail was in good shape from Council Grove to the Rock Creek Bridge.
The trail is in good shape from Council Grove to the Rick Creek Bridge. Blazing Star is profuse and there were lots of butterflies and dragonflies.
We started at Mile Zero and rode out 15 miles and rode back. The trail is beautiful and well maintained but also has a rustic feeling to it. Most parts were crushed limestone and some parts were bigger gravel rock. Be prepared for no restrooms or official rest areas on this segment. We will definitely ride this trail again!
I rode the entire trail in June 2025 from Osawatomie to Council Grove and back, detouring through Lyndon to avoid construction. I had planned to ride to Herrington, but found that section closed. I say don't advertise that it's 118 miles long until it is! (I see it was just inducted into the Conservancy Hall of Fame touting its 118 mile length.) I travel the country to do multi-day rides on rail trails over a 100 miles long. Came up short on this one.
That said, I had an excellent ride. Had no issues with trail surfaces. On all my rail trail tours, I like to support the local economy and found several good restaurant stops along the way. I highly recommend the ride. Just don't expect it to be 118 miles long.
It's almost completely flat and there's a pretty nice breeze. The view is nice enough. I don't really have any problems with it
As a local resident, I was thrilled to discover that the Flint Hills Trail runs directly through Herington and wanted to explore more of what’s described as one of Kansas’s most scenic long-distance trails. Unfortunately, the segment between Herington and Delavan feels forgotten — undermaintained, underpromoted, and in some areas, barely passable. There are no directional signs or kiosks marking the trailhead within Herington, and most residents I’ve spoken to don’t use the trail at all or frequently. Access can be found off N F Street near the edge of town (no public parking lot), but once you begin walking, it quickly becomes evident that this portion hasn’t received consistent upkeep in years. Grasses and brush are heavily overgrown along and across the path, sometimes reaching knee to waist height. Drainage is poor in spots, and the trail bottlenecks frequently due to barbed wire fencing and narrow rocky corridors, making it difficult to exit quickly if needed. There are no benches, bathrooms, safety features, or trail mileage indicators along this portion. I encountered no other hikers or riders — and very little sign that anyone else uses this stretch regularly. Most notably, on my most recent walk I observed over a dozen large scat piles spaced along a 1–1.5 mile stretch near the US-77 underpass, many of which appeared fresh (within 12 hours), contained hair, had a strong urine scent, and were significantly larger in diameter than what is typical of local coyotes or raccoons. There was also visible tree bark stripping nearby. I’ve submitted photos and a report to Kansas Wildlife & Parks out of an abundance of caution, as the signs could potentially indicate the presence of a large omnivore or predator (possibly a bobcat, bear, or mountain lion passing through). This section of trail has great potential and stunning views of Kansas prairie and farmland, but without basic upkeep, signage, or safety monitoring, it’s not suitable for families or casual walkers. I hope more attention is given to this western end of the trail so it can become a safe and welcoming community asset again.
Great place to ride with kids. Perfectly flat, wide and of packed rock chips. Not pavement, but close. We park in the parking lot just north of the Bowersock dam and ride east in the evenings. Great place to watch the sunset, and often see wildlife. Grandson counted 83 deer one ride on Thanksgiving weekend. Often sit a while where we access the trail, to watch the Kansas River flow over the dam. Great place for watching eagles in the fall and winter.
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