Little Jerusalem Calendar


07/25/2025

Off Trail Hike 07-25

Location: Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park

Type: Off Trail Hike

Date: Friday, July 25, 2025

Contact: Sara Kay Carrell sarakay.carrell@ks.gov

Phone No: 620-872-2061

Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am


Other Information:

Please be observant of weather conditions!! I cannot have tours if there has been recent rains, snow or melting/melted snow.

It is also unsafe to have tours in high wind weather (which happens often here!). Hiking off trail in wet conditions damages the environment of Little Jerusalem. Monitor the National Weather Service locations for Scott City and Oakley to be familiar with weather conditions prior to your trip!

**Please be advised that due to unavoidable circumstances, there might be temporary closures of restrooms due to water issues. Plan ahead and make stops in Oakley, Lake Scott or Scott City just in case!**

Space is limited on tours. Spaces must be reserved. I try for the tours to not be too much larger than 15-20 people. Please make your plans and email sarakay.carrell@ks.gov to reserve a spot! Hikes down in the rocks will be approximately 1.5 hours. Please plan for about a 2 hour timeframe to allow for time to hike back to the parking lot!. Email is the BEST way to reach Sara Kay!!!

Things to Know:

*There is no fee for the tour. You DO need a daily vehicle pass ($5 exact cash or check) OR a Kansas State Park Annual Pass. The self pay kiosk is at the entrance to the park. We DO NOT have an office at LJBSP.

*Meeting location is the Ramada Overlook, the main overlook at the West end of the parking lot.

*Reservations are required. An email is all I need. You will get a confirmation email from me when I check my email! If you do not get a confirmation email within 2 days, it possibly went into spam and I have not found it yet! Call the Office to reserve. 

*If there are cancellations due to weather, etc, the notice will be posted on this calendar date info page. Emails will also be sent out to those reserved.

Come to Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park and enjoy an off trail guided hike lead by the naturalist! Be prepared for rough hiking, uneven terrain, and scrambling thru grass and brush. Wear boots or other appropriate footwear that covers the feet. Bring water, a snack, binoculars, and a hiking stick! Please do not underestimate the terrain.

We will start at the main overlook at the West end of the parking lot (The Ramada Overlook) and venture off in a direction that will take us off into the bottoms of the rock formations. Once at the base of the rocks, we will explore the various nooks, crannies, and spires of Little Jerusalem's Niobrara chalk formations. Along the way, we learn about the grasses, forbs, mammals, reptiles, insects, geology, and other great things that nature presents to us.  Be prepared for rough hiking, uneven terrain, ups and downs, and scrambling thru grass and brush. 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.

During the summer, it 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+ degrees warmer during the hike in the rocks!

During the winter, it can be pretty chilly in the rock formations! The winds are predominantly North or Northwest winds, which means the wind whips right thru the canyon bottoms and can chill us down! Plan for a wind chill factor in the winter!

We will start at the Life on the Rocks trail head and venture off in a direction that will take us off into the bottoms of the rock formations. Once at the base of the rocks, we will explore the various nooks, crannies, and spires of Little Jerusalem's Niobrara chalk formations. Along the way, we learn about the grasses, forbs, mammals, reptiles, insects, geology, and other great things that nature presents to us.  Be prepared for rough hiking, uneven terrain, ups and downs, and scrambling thru grass and brush. 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.

**Hikes will be cancelled by inclement weather!** If it is snowing, blizzarding, freezing rain, raining, lightning, or any other unsafe weather brought on by Mother Nature, all activities will be canceled at Little Jerusalem. Scott City and Oakley are the closest towns to search for weather on National Weather Service. Please call the Historic Lake Scott office for the latest update on weather cancellations, 620-872-2061


07/27/2025

Off Trail Hike 07-27

Location: Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park

Type: Off Trail Hike

Date: Sunday, July 27, 2025

Contact: Sara Kay Carrell sarakay.carrell@ks.gov

Phone No: 620-872-2061

Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am


Other Information:

Please be observant of weather conditions!! I cannot have tours if there has been recent rains, snow or melting/melted snow. It is also unsafe to have tours in high wind weather (which happens often here!). Hiking off trail in wet conditions damages the environment of Little Jerusalem. Monitor the National Weather Service locations for Scott City and Oakley to be familiar with weather conditions prior to your trip!

**Please be advised that due to unavoidable circumstances, there might be temporary closures of restrooms due to water issues. Plan ahead and make stops in Oakley, Scott City or Lake Scott just in case!**

**My days off vary. I only check emails at work. Please plan ahead when making your reservations to know for sure there is space available in a tour!!! Emails sent on my days off will not be replied to until I return to work.

Things to Know:

*There is no fee for the tour. You DO need a daily vehicle pass ($5 exact cash or check) OR a Kansas State Park Annual Pass. The self pay kiosk is at the entrance to the park. We DO NOT have an office at LJBSP to make change. Please have exact change if you need a day pass.

*Meeting location is the Ramada Overlook, the main overlook at the West end of the parking lot.

*Reservations are required. An email is all I need. You will get a confirmation email from me when I check my email! If you do not get a confirmation email within 2 days, it possibly went into spam and I have not found it yet! Call the Office to reserve.

*If there are cancellations due to weather, etc, the notice will be posted on this calendar date info page. Emails will also be sent out to those reserved.

Space is limited on tours. Spaces must be reserved. I try for the tours to not be too much larger than 15-20 people. Please make your plans and email sarakay.carrell@ks.gov to reserve a spot! Hikes down in the rocks will be approximately 1.5 hours. Please plan for about a 2 hour timeframe to allow for time to hike back to the parking lot!. Email is the BEST way to reach Sara Kay!!!

The off trail hike is free!  But, it is still required to have an annual Kansas State Parks vehicle pass or a $5 daily vehicle pass!

Come to Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park and enjoy an off trail guided hike lead by the naturalist! Be prepared for rough hiking, uneven terrain, and scrambling thru grass and brush. Wear boots or other appropriate footwear that covers the feet. Bring water, a snack, binoculars, and a hiking stick! Please do not underestimate the terrain.

We will start at the Overlook at the West end of the parking lot (The Ramada Overlook) and venture off in a direction that will take us off into the bottoms of the rock formations. Once at the base of the rocks, we will explore the various nooks, crannies, and spires of Little Jerusalem's Niobrara chalk formations. Along the way, we learn about the grasses, forbs, mammals, reptiles, insects, geology, and other great things that nature presents to us.  Be prepared for rough hiking, uneven terrain, ups and downs, and scrambling thru grass and brush. 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.

During the summer, it 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+ degrees warmer during the hike in the rocks!

During the winter, it can be pretty chilly in the rock formations! The winds are predominantly North or Northwest winds, which means the wind whips right thru the canyon bottoms and can chill us down! Plan for a wind chill factor in the winter!

**Hikes will be cancelled by inclement weather!** If it is snowing, blizzarding, freezing rain, raining, lightning, or any other unsafe weather brought on by Mother Nature, all activities will be canceled at Little Jerusalem. Scott City and Oakley are the closest towns to search for weather on National Weather Service. Cancellation notices will be posted on this hike day's info.


08/01/2025

Off Trail Hike 08-01

Location: Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park

Type: Off Trail Hike

Date: Friday, August 01, 2025

Contact: Sara Kay Carrell sarakay.carrell@ks.gov

Phone No: 620-872-2061

Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm


Other Information:

Please be observant of weather conditions!! I cannot have tours if there has been recent rains, snow or melting/melted snow. It is also unsafe to have tours in high wind weather (which happens often here!). Hiking off trail in wet conditions damages the environment of Little Jerusalem. Monitor the National Weather Service locations for Scott City and Oakley to be familiar with weather conditions prior to your trip!

**Please be advised that due to unavoidable circumstances, there might be temporary closures of restrooms due to water issues. Plan ahead and make stops in Oakley or Scott City just in case!**

Space is limited on tours. Spaces must be reserved. I try for the tours to not be too much larger than 15 people. Please make your plans and email sarakay.carrell@ks.gov to reserve a spot! Hikes down in the rocks will be approximately 1.5 hours. Please plan for about a 2 hour timeframe to allow for time to hike back to the parking lot!. Email is the BEST way to reach Sara Kay!!!

Things to Know:

*There is no fee for the tour. You DO need a daily vehicle pass ($5 exact cash or check) OR a Kansas State Park Annual Pass. The self pay kiosk is at the entrance to the park. We DO NOT have an office at LJBSP.

*Meeting location is the Ramada Overlook, the main overlook at the West end of the parking lot.

*Reservations are required. An email is all I need. You will get a confirmation email from me when I check my email! Please email 24 hours in advance for best chances! I do not check email in the morning before the morning tours!

*If there are cancellations due to weather, etc, the notice will be posted on this calendar date info page. Emails will also be sent out to those reserved.

Come to Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park and enjoy an off trail guided hike lead by the naturalist! Be prepared for rough hiking, uneven terrain, and scrambling thru grass and brush. Wear boots or other appropriate footwear that covers the feet. Bring water, a snack, binoculars, and a hiking stick! Please do not underestimate the terrain.

We will start at the Life on the Rocks trail head (at the west end of the parking lot) and venture off in a direction that will take us off into the bottoms of the rock formations. Once at the base of the rocks, we will explore the various nooks, crannies, and spires of Little Jerusalem's Niobrara chalk formations. Along the way, we learn about the grasses, forbs, mammals, reptiles, insects, geology, and other great things that nature presents to us.  Be prepared for rough hiking, uneven terrain, ups and downs, and scrambling thru grass and brush. 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.

During the summer, it 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+ degrees warmer during the hike in the rocks!

During the winter, it can be pretty chilly in the rock formations! The winds are predominantly North or Northwest winds, which means the wind whips right thru the canyon bottoms and can chill us down! Plan for a wind chill factor in the winter!

**Hikes will be cancelled by inclement weather!** If it is snowing, blizzarding, freezing rain, raining, lightning, or any other unsafe weather brought on by Mother Nature, all activities will be canceled at Little Jerusalem. Scott City and Oakley are the closest towns to search for weather on National Weather Service. Please call the Historic Lake Scott office for the latest update on weather cancellations, 620-872-2061


08/02/2025

OK Kids Day! 08-02

Location: Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park

Type: Outdoor Kansas Kids Day!!!

Date: Saturday, August 02, 2025

Contact: Sara Kay Carrell

Phone No: 620-872-2061 sarakay.carrell@ks.gov

Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am


Other Information:

**Update New Date is August 2, 2025!!!
**Update - 7-12-25 **Cancelled!** Over 1" of rain over night and currently raining. Roads are a very muddy mess, and will be until the rain stops and the sunshine is on the roads for a couple hours!!!*** OK Kids Day will be rescheduled!  Stay Tuned!!
Reservations limited to 15 children!

Space is limited for OK Kids Day!  15 kids maximum. Ages of 3 to 12. Spaces must be reserved.  Please make your plans and email sarakay.carrell@ks.gov to reserve a spot! OK Kids Day will be approximately 1.5 hours. Please plan for about a 2 hour timeframe to allow for time to hike back to the parking lot!. Email is the BEST way to reach Sara Kay!!!

When emailing the reservation, please include name and age of the child/children that you are registering! If you have a change in plans and will not be able to come, please email me to cancel so we can open your spot up to another child!

We will start at the Life on the Rocks trail head and venture off in a direction that will take a stroll on the trail and then a bit off time into the bottoms of the rock formations. Please dress in clothing and footwear appropriate to be outdoors and walking thru grass and brush. No open toe shoes!! 

Be prepared for the days weather! Take into account the daytime temperatures and bring water and snacks accordingly. Sunscreen might be wise, as well!

Dress in clothing for walking thru short brush and tall grass. No open toed shoes. Long pants would be preferred but are optional.

Insect repellant might be beneficial, as we will hike on the trail for a bit and off the trail down in the formations for a bit.

The adventure to Little Jerusalem will be for observation and searching. Nothing can be taken away or removed from Little Jerusalem! 

A rain out date is planned for ___________

*****More details might be posted later as I think of things that will help you plan for the day!****

**Hikes will be cancelled by inclement weather!** If it is snowing, blizzarding, freezing rain, raining, lightning, or any other unsafe weather brought on by Mother Nature, all activities will be canceled at Little Jerusalem. Scott City and Oakley are the closest towns to search for weather on National Weather Service. Please call the Historic Lake Scott office for the latest update on weather cancellations, 620-872-2061


08/03/2025

Off Trail Hike 08-03

Location: Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park

Type: Off Trail Hike

Date: Sunday, August 03, 2025

Contact: Sara Kay Carrell sarakay.carrell@ks.gov

Phone No: 620-872-2061 or sarakay.carrell@ks.gov

Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am


Other Information:

I cannot have tours if there has been recent rains, snow or melting/melted snow. It is also unsafe to have tours in high wind weather (which happens often here!). Hiking off trail in wet conditions damages the environment of Little Jerusalem. Monitor the National Weather Service locations for Scott City and Oakley to be familiar with weather conditions prior to your trip!

**Please be advised that due to unavoidable circumstances, there might be temporary closures of restrooms due to water issues. Plan ahead and make stops in Oakley or Scott City just in case!**

Space is limited on tours. Spaces must be reserved. I try for the tours to not be too much larger than 15-20 people. Please make your plans and email sarakay.carrell@ks.gov to reserve a spot! Hikes down in the rocks will be approximately 1.5 hours. Please plan for about a 2 hour timeframe to allow for time to hike back to the parking lot!. Email is the BEST way to reach Sara Kay!!!

Things to Know:

*There is no fee for the tour. You DO need a daily vehicle pass ($5 exact cash or check) OR a Kansas State Park Annual Pass. The self pay kiosk is at the entrance to the park. We DO NOT have an office at LJBSP.

*Meeting location is the Ramada Overlook, the main overlook at the West end of the parking lot.

*Reservations are required. An email is all I need. You will get a confirmation email from me when I check my email! Please email 24 hours in advance for best chances! I do not check email in the morning before the morning tours!

*If there are cancellations due to weather, etc, the notice will be posted on this calendar date info page. Emails will also be sent out to those reserved.

Come to Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park and enjoy an off trail guided hike lead by the naturalist! Be prepared for rough hiking, uneven terrain, and scrambling thru grass and brush. Wear boots or other appropriate footwear that covers the feet. Bring water, a snack, binoculars, and a hiking stick! Please do not underestimate the terrain.

We will start at the main overlook at the west end of the parking lot (The Ramada Overlook) and venture off in a direction that will take us off into the bottoms of the rock formations. Once at the base of the rocks, we will explore the various nooks, crannies, and spires of Little Jerusalem's Niobrara chalk formations. Along the way, we learn about the grasses, forbs, mammals, reptiles, insects, geology, and other great things that nature presents to us.  Be prepared for rough hiking, uneven terrain, ups and downs, and scrambling thru grass and brush. 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.

During the summer, it 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+ degrees warmer during the hike in the rocks!

During the winter, it can be pretty chilly in the rock formations! The winds are predominantly North or Northwest winds, which means the wind whips right thru the canyon bottoms and can chill us down! Plan for a wind chill factor in the winter!

**Hikes will be cancelled by inclement weather!** If it is snowing, blizzarding, freezing rain, raining, lightning, or any other unsafe weather brought on by Mother Nature, all activities will be canceled at Little Jerusalem. Scott City and Oakley are the closest towns to search for weather on National Weather Service. Cancellation notices will be posted on this hike day's info.