Hiking near a body of water is always refreshing, since most of us don’t live near a river ourselves. When you want to get outdoors near the water, these beginner river hiking trails are the perfect choice. Come see what’s out there to be discovered!
- Cottonwood Trail - Manhattan, Kansas
James Elliott/AllTrails This short trail is only half a mile long, featuring not only a river, but plenty of wildlife and educational information stations.
- Harvey County Park Loop - Burrton, Kansas
Jeremy & Lacy Stucky/AllTrails This trail is a little longer, at 6 miles long, with a beautiful river and plenty of trail for either hiking or mountain biking. You never know how beautiful a place can be until you see it with your own eyes.
- Linear Trail - Manhattan, Kansas
Karla Rivera/AllTrails This trail near Manhattan is popular not only because of the railroad, but because of the beautiful river and opportunity for bird watching.
- Table Mound Trail - Independence, Kansas
Lonnie Edgecomb/AllTrails Another beautiful trail is hiding out near Independence, which is marked as featuring a river, even though we love the lake just a little more. It’s about 5.6 miles long, and full of beautiful views, wildlife, and a beautiful bluff.
- Horse Thief Trail - Kanopolis, Kansas
Melissa Timi/AllTrails Horse Thief Trail is one of our favorites at Kanopolis, with about 2 miles to hike. They have caves to explore, but don’t forget the beautiful river views on your visit!
- Elk River Hiking Trail - Elk City, Kansas
Ronnie Brewster/AllTrails This trail is quite long, measuring just over 14 miles, but it’s got plenty of beauty that’ll last you for hours. There are overlooks of the water, little tunnels under rocks, and lots of reasons to use a walking stick.
- Republican River Trail - Junction City, Kansas
Walter Rumble/AllTrails Last but not least is this beautiful waterside trail perfect for all ages of hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. They also have some great wildflowers along these 9.3 miles of trail, if you don’t get distracted by Milford Lake and the Republican River’s beauty.
If you’d rather see a waterfall on your easy breezy trail experience, check out this one that’s full of history.
James Elliott/AllTrails
This short trail is only half a mile long, featuring not only a river, but plenty of wildlife and educational information stations.
Jeremy & Lacy Stucky/AllTrails
This trail is a little longer, at 6 miles long, with a beautiful river and plenty of trail for either hiking or mountain biking. You never know how beautiful a place can be until you see it with your own eyes.
Karla Rivera/AllTrails
This trail near Manhattan is popular not only because of the railroad, but because of the beautiful river and opportunity for bird watching.
Lonnie Edgecomb/AllTrails
Another beautiful trail is hiding out near Independence, which is marked as featuring a river, even though we love the lake just a little more. It’s about 5.6 miles long, and full of beautiful views, wildlife, and a beautiful bluff.
Melissa Timi/AllTrails
Horse Thief Trail is one of our favorites at Kanopolis, with about 2 miles to hike. They have caves to explore, but don’t forget the beautiful river views on your visit!
Ronnie Brewster/AllTrails
This trail is quite long, measuring just over 14 miles, but it’s got plenty of beauty that’ll last you for hours. There are overlooks of the water, little tunnels under rocks, and lots of reasons to use a walking stick.
Walter Rumble/AllTrails
Last but not least is this beautiful waterside trail perfect for all ages of hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. They also have some great wildflowers along these 9.3 miles of trail, if you don’t get distracted by Milford Lake and the Republican River’s beauty.
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Address: 5800 River Pond Rd, Manhattan, KS 66502, USAAddress: 4825 Squaw Creek Rd, Independence, KS 67301, USAAddress: Horsethief Rd, Empire, KS, USAAddress: Elk River Hiking Trail, Elk City, KS 67344, USAAddress: Linear Trail, Manhattan, KS, USAAddress: River Walk Trail, Junction City, KS 66441, USAAddress: 2733 West Park Road, Burrton, KS 67020, USA
