https://www.reddit.com/r/Lawrence/comments/1j5qfi1/trails/
created by Soft_Banana8751 on 07/03/2025 at 15:11 UTC
21 upvotes, 8 top-level comments (showing 8)
What are the best hidden gem hiking trails in or around Lawrence?
Comment by Origami_Zach at 07/03/2025 at 15:35 UTC*
27 upvotes, 4 direct replies
The most popular low-trafficked trail is probably the Levee trail[1] in North Lawrence. It is about 10 miles. Lot of bikers though and you’re bound to see a decent amount of people.
1: https://www.getoutdoorskansas.org/trails/george-latham-hiking-trail
Devictor Loop[2] is quaint and goes through a neighborhood. You can take the paved portions, or there are some dirt trails that sneak through the neighborhood that are gorgeous. They can just get extremely muddy halfway through.
2: https://www.getoutdoorskansas.org/trails/devictor-park-trail
Otherwise I really enjoy the George Latham Trail[3], which is 4 miles. A significant portion goes through western coast of Clinton Lake, and the rest winds through trees and fields. When my wife and I went last summer, we saw one person from when we parked to when we left. And they were just camping like 100 feet off the trail. Downsides are it’s very low-maintained and can be muddy in some areas with it just off the water. Also can have a decent amount of pests, so make sure to bring tick repellant and bug spray.
3: https://www.getoutdoorskansas.org/trails/george-latham-hiking-trail
We have traveled all of Kansas in the last year visiting every state park. Let me know how far you are willing to travel and I could maybe provide you with some more that are out of town.
Comment by burrheadd at 07/03/2025 at 15:19 UTC
24 upvotes, 1 direct replies
If I told you they wouldn’t be hidden gems Would they
Comment by snowmunkey at 07/03/2025 at 16:10 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I've been meaning to explore more of the unofficial trails in Dad Perry Park
Comment by Jack_Attak at 07/03/2025 at 16:08 UTC*
9 upvotes, 1 direct replies
KU field station (there are multiple trailheads and lots to explore, both native prairie and forest). Rock Chalk Park behind the sports pavilion, Lawrence Nature Park on folks Rd (this one is much prettier than it looks from the trailhead, it's a nice forest with elevation change). The baker wetlands are well known but the Haskell wetlands are also pretty, just be respectful of the sacred ground. Also the river trail starting from the south end of 8th st in North Lawrence is great, just be mindful since it's popular with mountain bikes.
Comment by stellarpaws at 07/03/2025 at 18:46 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Some of my favorites are Lawrence Nature Park, or the trails at Clinton Lake near the Overlook. Or, there are good trails connected to the dog park that are Army Corps of Engineers property, but the public can use them.
Comment by Redditer3003 at 07/03/2025 at 15:47 UTC
7 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Not hidden but Lawrence River Trail is great if you enjoy dodging bikes around the blind corners.
Comment by Fungus_A_Mongoose at 07/03/2025 at 20:10 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
If you search for "trails" within the subreddit there are a multitude of posts from the past.
Other than that I'm partial to my neighborhood trail in Brook Creek Park.
Here's a link to a roughly drawn map: https://imgur.com/a/brook-creek-park-trail-Pz1kDF9
Comment by chrysanthalbee at 07/03/2025 at 21:28 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
check some of these places out. this page will also tell you the status of the trails.
https://urbantrailco.com/protect-the-trails
i always saw a fair number of hikers when i was biking at big bull creek park.