Flint Hills Trail Improvements
Developing the Flint Hills Trail will encourage outdoor recreation and provide safer routes for pedestrians, bicyclists and equestrians. Several segments of the trail are unimproved or closed, but long-range plans call for it to be improved along its entire length, from Herington to Osawatomie. Improvements will be completed in segments as funds become available.
May 2025: The 2.3-mile segment located west of Ottawa, between Louisiana Terrace and Iowa Road, officially opened on Saturday, May 17. With this work completed, visitors can now enjoy uninterrupted travel along 93 miles of continuous trail from Osawatomie to Council Grove—offering expanded access to one of the longest rail-trails in the United States, while also increasing safety and connecting trail-goers to the scenic beauty of the Flint Hills. A ribbon cutting celebration will be planned later this year.
October 2020: The 18-mile section from the west side of Osage City through Miller, Admire, and to Allen, is now open and improved. There is now a continuous length of about 39 miles open and improved from Osage City through the Flint Hills to Council Grove. Additional sections are improved between Ottawa and Vassar. The entire trail is open and passable from Osawatomie to Council Grove, about 89 miles. Watch a video of the opening from Osage City to Allen section on October 3, 2020