Location: Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park

Type: Epic Long Off Trail Hike

Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025

Contact: Sara Kay Carrell

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

Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Other Information:

We got a doozy of wind and rain last night!  1.8, 1.5, and 1" are the surrounding rain reports from LJB.I plan to delay going to LJB.  I plan to arrive there by 10am.The rain came down hard and fast enough that I believe the roads quickly drained the water. I want the wind to do a little bit more drying of the road.  We can modify the hike to some variety of something fun and dance around to some of the areas that are more forgiving of a deluge of rain!!

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

***I must have a minimum number of experienced hikers signed up to host this tour***

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.

*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 (which is a very erratic schedule!)! 

*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.

Detailed Epic Off Trail Info:

Plans will be to meet at the Ramada Overlook, in the parking lot. We will hike the length of the Life On the Rocks Trail (1.2 miles) to the far west trail overlook. From there, we will exit off the designated trail and begin the adventure to the west fence line boundary. After reaching the west park boundary, we will begin our eastward exploration, going thru canyons and ravines and washes. The West side of LJ, the landscape is much more rugged! There is lots of exploring to do!!! Bring plenty of water for the timeframe of the hike and whatever the weather forecasts for temperatures! 

We will also plan a mini picnic somewhere along the way! I know that after a regular 2 hour public hike, I am hungry! 

Hiking pole is recommended. Camera and/or binoculars are optional! Its prime season for the birding and wildflower season at LJ!

General Hike Info:

Space is limited on tours. Spaces must be reserved. I try for the Epic Off Trail tour to not be too much larger than 10 people. Please make your plans and email sarakay.carrell@ks.gov to reserve a spot!  Email is the BEST way to reach Sara Kay!!!

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.

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 windchill factor in the winter!

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.

**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. Cancellations notices will be posted here on this info page.