Find the top rated running trails in Newton, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
This 12.2 mile trail from McPherson to Lindsborg as and good make sure of sun, exposure and shade. The trail seems to be well maintained and is relatively flat, however seems to be slightly uphill when running south. I did a combination of walking and running on the south half of the trail run, and I was very happy with my experience on the trail. Consider this trail for you next out & back trail walk/run/bike.
10-2 ft vintage asphalt trail along lovely river. Concrete surface near downtown with unmarked bike detours. Washouts, huge amounts of trash. Homeless population an issue but total lack of maintenance could be addressed Wasted two days visiting to ride this trail.
It was a warm (82 degrees) March day with light winds when we rode from Osage City to Vassar and back, a total of 25 miles. We parked at the 5th Street trailhead in Osage City. Be sure to park on the north side of this little city park so that you have direct access to the wide, paved trail that takes you east. Bathrooms with flush toilets were available. Once out of town, the trail is wide (we rode two abreast) with a firm base and fine gravel. Sticks littered some areas of the trail. We picked up several goat head thorns but suffered no flats. This section of the trail mostly cuts through pasture and broke ground typical of the eastern edge of the Flint Hills. We enjoyed the scenery. The trailhead at Vassar offers only parking; there are no bathrooms, no water, no picnic tables, etc. Smoke from a number of prescribed burns was visible in the distance but none was near enough to the trail to affect us. This activity is something to be aware of in early spring; the smoke from one of these burns can be quite thick so you probably wouldn’t want ride through it. Overall, a great section of trail to ride; five stars!
Flint Hills Park Trail. It was a beautiful February day; 68 degrees! Started @ Orlis Cox Sports Complex in Ottawa. Rode to Pomona and back; 21 miles round trip. This section of the trail passes through farmland (broke ground) and treed areas, alternately. Some of the trail is next to an active rail line. One safety-engineered highway crossing. Well-maintained trail; kudos to the maintenance team. Wide trail; rode side-by-side, which we enjoy. Fine gravel surface. Some leaves and sticks on the trail in spots. Rail trail; no steep grades. Fantastic bridges; new, clean, wide, perfect surface! Trail head in Pomona had lots of parking and a unisex outhouse in excellent condition. To the people who rode bikes or horses on the trail when it was wet/soft - shame on you. In summary, a great ride; We will definitely ride this section again in the future! 5 stars.
I’m not sure why there are negative remarks regarding this trail. From the Rice Park end all the way around the Carey Park Loop and back to the Rice Park beginning, it is 11.5 miles of various scenery. I love the diversity of feeling like I am in rural, city, residential areas all in the same trail. Little Cow Creek is beautiful to me, and the Carey Park area is as well. It’s peaceful and serene. Lots of places to pull off and snap photos of flowers, trees, wildlife, and water. A zoo and golf course are also passed. There are plenty of picnic tables, bathrooms, and garbage cans along the route as well. The path is paved, fully, and is slightly rough in a few spots but nothing to complain about really. I can tell that the City of Hutchinson mows regularly and keeps the garbage emptied very regularly. I find it to bean outstanding gift to that community. .
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!!
The trail was in good shape. Sunflowers blooming in the open spots and nice tree coverage for the last hour in the sun. The favorite section was from Goddard to Garden Plain as it was more rural and quiet. The trail is well marked and has benches for rest and snack breaks. The park in Goddard is a great spot with a beautiful picnic pavilion.
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.
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