Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park was established by the Kansas Legislature in 2018. The 332-acre park encompasses 220 acres of badlands – fragile, but ruggedly spectacular geologic formations adjacent to the 17,290-acre Smoky Valley Ranch. Both properties are owned by The Nature Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy will continue to own both properties, and KDWP is partnering with The Nature Conservancy to develop and manage visitor access and use of Little Jerusalem Badlands as a state park.

Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park showcases a mile-long stretch of 100-foot-tall spires and cliffs of eroded Niobrara Chalk, a layer of rock deposited about 85 million years ago. Niobrara Chalk was formed by sediment that settled at the bottom of an inland ocean called the Western Interior Seaway which covered most of central North America roughly 140 to 70 million years ago. The sediment became compressed over time, and the seaway floor was lifted by the same tectonic shifting that formed the Rocky Mountains. 

The park is the largest expanse of exposed Niobrara Chalk formation in Kansas. Smaller Niobrara Chalk outcrops are commonly seen along U.S. 83 Highway between Oakley and Historic Lake Scott State Park. Monument Rocks is a well-known Niobrara Chalk landmark east of Little Jerusalem.

Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is a unique, vital habitat for a variety of wildlife and plants. Ferruginous hawks nest here and rock wrens and Says’ phoebes, common in arid parts of the western U.S., keep an eye out for insects. Sharp-eyed visitors will occasionally spot small mammals, bats, lizards, snakes, toads and a variety of insects. Great Plains wild buckwheat grows only in the chalk prairies of western Kansas and the single largest population of this endemic plant is found at Little Jerusalem.

Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is a fragile landscape. The Niobrara Chalk formations are soft and easily damaged by the weather and by climbing and walking on them. As a result, KDWP and The Nature Conservancy are managing visitor access to avoid harming the delicate environment. Enjoy the landscape, but leave no trace behind of your time in the park.

• Stay on the marked trails, walkways and overlooks. Only guided tours are allowed off-trail.
• Trails are for pedestrian traffic only, except for wheelchairs. No bicycles, ATVs, UTVs or horses are allowed. 
• Take nothing but pictures! Fossil hunting and collecting of anything (including rocks, flowers and plants), even if found lying on the ground, are not allowed.
• Rock climbing, camping and fires are not allowed. Camping opportunities are available at Historic Lake Scott State Park, about 7 miles south. 
• Guided tours into the interior are available and must be reserved in advance. Click on the events calendar icon to view the most current tour schedule days and times.
• Dogs must be on a leash and take along supplies to clean up messes. 

Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is a day-use park only, open from sunrise to sunset daily, all year round. 

A daily vehicle permit or annual state park vehicle permit will apply. Click HERE to view state park fees. Free guided tours into the interior will be available by reservation. Click on the events calendar icon to view the most current tour schedule days and times.