Hike Southwind Rail Trail

Just west of the Elk City Lake Dam is a small parking area. The scarcity of foot traffic is highlighted by the size of the parking lot. You'll begin your hike by crossing over a minimal footbridge that spans a small stream. Once over the stream, you begin a slightly moderate climb up the trail to the large rock wall. Once there, you can walk through the 20-30 foot tall rock structure and begin ...

The Light Center is what I like to consider a wheat oasis. It's located about 30 minutes south of Lawrence, Kansas and offers an amazing escape from the every day grind. It's surrounded by fields of golden wheat as well as trees and rivers. It's a space that you never thought about going to, until you go to it. As soon as I was leaving I wanted to turn around and re-do my stay.The Light Center'...

This four mile trail is located in the Woodridge Public Use Area, southwest of Lawrence and along the western edge of Clinton Lake.  Campsites are available without charge and without reservation, open to campers on a first-come, first-served basis. When you arrive at the trail head, you'll park in a circle lot.  There are several primitive campsites sprinkled around the lot leading up to the t...

Park your car at the Visitor Center and head inside to grab a copy of the trail map. If the Visitor Center is closed, you can take a picture of the map on the display outside of the building. There are several trails you can take in the preserve, and all of them are worth the time. I recommend starting at the Southwind Nature Trail that is just north of the Visitor Center. This trail takes you ...

Take a leisurely stroll around Margaret's Pond while exploring the herb garden, amphitheater and promenade. There are beautiful flowers and trees to encounter here.  Or if you are feeling a bit more adventurous, hop on the asphalt Sculpture Garden Trail (0.4 mile) which links to the Cottonwood Trail (0.4 mile). This mulched path winds through a wooded area along Wolf Creek. From here, veer off ...

This is one of my favorite places inside Topeka city limits! It is typically not very crowded unless you visit during lunch hours, there tends to be local workers etc. who take their lunch break in the parking lot. There are 2 or 3 picnic tables and a bench as well to relax or have lunch on. There's also a large dock to fish off of. I haven't personally fished at Clarion Woods, however, I see p...