Rails to Trails Conservancy, the largest advocacy organization for trails, walking, and biking in the nation, announced today that the Flint Hills Trail State Park in Kansas has been inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame after receiving more than eighty percent of the public vote.
“It is clear why so many people rallied around the Flint Hills Trail State Park as the next Hall of Fame Trail,” said Ryan Chao, RTC’s president. “This trail stands out as a prime example of how trails bring joy, provide cultural and historic connection, and deliver economic opportunity—all critical to quality of life across America. This trail has catalyzed the state’s trail economy and will serve as inspiration for countless communities to emulate.”
Flint Hills Trail State Park is the longest trail in Kansas, stretching 93 miles across the rural eastern part of the state. It connects more than a dozen communities, including several trail towns and significant historical and cultural sites related to the Kaw (Kanza) Nation. When completed, the trail will extend 118 miles between Osawatomie and Herington, providing additional opportunities for families to walk, run, bike, and ride horses. In 2022, Kansas received a $24.8 million “Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity” (RAISE) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help further connect the trail, highlighting its unique impact on the state’s transportation and economic development.
“I am pleased the Flint Hills Trail State Park will be recognized as a member of the Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame. This honor is a testament to the natural beauty of our state and the commitment of Kansans who have worked to preserve it,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “In addition to promoting healthier lifestyles, Kansas State Parks contribute millions to the economy annually. The importance of these parks to our state’s economic well-being, as well as to the quality of life of Kansans, cannot be overstated.”
The trail, which is home to one of the last remaining tallgrass prairie ecosystems in the world, the Flint Hills, reflects the history of the railroad and region, such as Allegawaho Heritage Memorial Park, a 158-acre park honoring the history of the Kaw Nation, and the John Brown Memorial Park and Museum State Historic Site, where visitors can learn about the famous abolitionist and the movement to make Kansas a free state. The route also partially traces the Santa Fe National Historic Trail, a key travel corridor in the 1800s that stretched between Missouri and New Mexico, and is part of the American Discovery Trail, a 6,800-mile hiking and biking trail across the country.
“The Flint Hills Trail isn’t just a path across Kansas. It’s a journey through the essence of Kansas—through the land, the cultures, and the endeavors of the communities,” said Jeffrey Bender, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ Region Supervisor, Parks.
The trail was officially designated as a state park by the Kansas legislature in 2018 and was recognized as a National Recreation Trail by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2020. Additionally, it connects directly to the Prairie Spirit Trail State Park, which is an inductee in the RTC’s Hall of Fame and extends another 51 miles.
For more information about RTC’s Hall of Fame, visit RailsToTrails.org/HallOfFame.
Featured Photo by Kansas Department of Tourism
