The Nature Conservancy’s Smoky Valley Ranch is home to one of the newest hiking trails in Kansas. Maintained by the Kansas Trails Council, the hiking trail runs through the area known as Rough Pasture. It starts as a single trail, but there is an option for a 1 mile or 5 mile loop. Walking through the prairie, you will see spectacular wildflower displays at certain times of the year, and vistas and rock formations year round.

Directions

From Oakley, take US-40 west to the western edge of Monument, Kansas. Go south on 350th Road for approximately 15 miles to reach the hiking trail. There is parking and a kiosk on the east side of the road. The ranch continues for a few miles and has spectacular scenery. Just a couple of miles past the river you may catch a glimpse of the buffalo herd, and deer or antelope are usually seen in the area. For a map and additional information visit The Nature Conservancy website.

There is also a hiking trail at Lake Scott State Park, 35 minutes South of Oakley.