Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park





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 KDWPT 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, KDWPT 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.
A daily vehicle permit or annual state park vehicle permit is necessary to enter the park. Click HERE to view state park fees. Guided tour are available into the interior of the rock formations. Please check the events calendar for the tour schedule.
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is a day-use only park. Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is open from sunrise to sunset daily, all year round.
Click the calendar icon on the main page to view the off trail tour schedule. Off trail guided tours for the public are only available on set days and times. If you would like to request a special day and certain time for your group, special events permits are available for a fee. Please contact the Historic Lake Scott State Park for special event permits.
From the North:
From Oakley, drive approximately 22 miles south on U.S. Highway 83 to Gold Road. Turn west onto Gold Road. Drive 3.5 miles to County Road 400. Turn north on County Road 400. Drive 1 mile to entrance for Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park.
From the South:
From Scott City, drive approximately 21 miles north on U.S. Highway 83 to Gold Road. Turn west onto Gold Road. Drive 3.5 miles to County Road 400. Turn north on County Road 400. Drive 1 mile to the entrance for Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park.
Bathrooms are temporarily closed at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. The arctic blast we have rolling thru this week is freezing up the water system! We will re-open the bathrooms when the storm front rolls on thru. Hopefully it will only be closed for a few days. Updates will be posted here when restrooms are open again.
Be sure to stop in Oakley, Scott City, or Lake Scott State Park if you need a restroom break before arriving at Little Jerusalem Badlands 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 during the Cretaceous Period. The sediment became compressed over time, and the seaway floor was lifted by the same tectonic shifting that formed the Rocky Mountains.
Exposed to the weather, the chalk sediment eroded into dramatic spires, cliffs and ravines over millions of years. Sand, gravel, and wind-blown silt (called loess) covering surrounding areas, and sand dunes in the Smoky Hill River valley, were deposited in the later Pleistocene (between approximately 2.6 million and 11,700 years ago) and Holocene epochs (between approximately 11,700 years ago and the present).
In 2016, The Nature Conservancy bought the tract of land that encompasses the chalk formations from private owners who stipulated that the property be protected yet opened for public viewing. The property adjoins the 17,290-acre Smoky Valley Ranch which is also owned by The Nature Conservancy.
- Trail Season: All Year
- Length of Trail: 0.5 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking
- Click for more information
- Trail Season: All Year
- Length of Trail: 2.5 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking
- Click for more information
The Nature Conservancy Website - Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park
The Nature Conservancy YouTube Video – Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park
Garden City Telegram YouTube Video - 300 Acres of Fossil Formations Revealed
Visit Oakley KS Website – Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park
During this time of COVID, we ask that you be respectful of distancing yourself from others during the hike. We are working on creating an online sign up. We are trying to restrict the group sizes to 15 people and no more than 20.
Until we have the online sign up form ready to go, please be respectful of group size at this time!
Be prepared for rough hiking, uneven terrain, and scrambling thru grass and brush. Wear boots, bring water, a snack and a hiking stick!Please do not underestimate the terrain. Its summer and its is HOT down in the canyons. The rock formations do a great job of blocking the wind,so BE PREPARED for temperatures to be 10-15 degrees warmeron the hike in the rocks!
Hiking poles are highly recommended!
No set path is followed! So be ready for an adventure! It is an intermediate level hike/terrain. We hike at a moderate pace with stop and go to learn, talk, ask questions, and take photos. Wear boots, bring water, a snack and a hiking stick!