Prairie Spirit Trail State Park

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See also: Bike Prairie Spirit http://www.bikeprairiespirit.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/236384412434/?ref=direct

This linear park is located along a former rail bed between Iola and Ottawa, a distance of 51 miles. The city of Garnett is the midway point, and the park office is located at the Garnett Area Chamber of Commerce building. The Prairie Spirit Trail connects with the 9-mile long Southwind Rail Trail between Humboldt and Iola. Combined, the trails pass through 10 charming rural communities.

The Prairie Spirit Trail offers a peaceful and calm tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of big city life. The trail is a linear park passing through three counties with eight pocket-parks along the way. It is a greenway and travel corridor open to pedestrians and bicyclists that traverses diverse ecosystems including tallgrass prairie, riparian areas, agricultural lands, and communities.

Along rural portions, the trail is a hard packed limestone screening surface. The trail is asphalted through Garnett and Ottawa. The trail averages a minimum of 8 feet wide. It follows the original rail bed of the old Leavenworth, Lawrence and Fort Gibson Railroad. Built in the 1860’s, it was the first north-south rail line in Kansas. The grades are moderate, providing easy travel for hikers and cyclists alike. 

In October 2020, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced the trail has been designated a National Recreation Trail. NRT designation promotes some of our country's highest-caliber trails with the intention of providing recreation access to rural and urban communities, economic development through tourism, and healthy recreation opportunities. 

Phone:
Address:
419 S. Oak
Garnett,KS    66032
County/Counties:

Garnett Area Chamber Of Commerce - (785) 448-6767

Trail News - Updated: 11/10/2022

Check out https://www.facebook.com/groups/236384412434/?ref=direct.  This is a site for public discussion which can include updates on trail conditions and other interesting sites on the trails from visitors.

Prairie Spirit Trail restroom closings and water shut off: 

  • October Richmond Restroom Closed, 
  • November All Water Shut Off
  • Garnett Depot restroom will remain open through the winter. 
  • Ottawa Depot restroom will be open when depot is open to the public.

It's a great day to visit a trail and it's even better now that the Prairie Spirit Trail State Park is FREE.  That's right trail enthusiasts, starting January of 2019 there are no permits required to enjoy the Prairie Spirit Trail.

Wildlife, wildflowers, and diverse habitats and communities await your viewing pleasure out on the Prairie Spirit Trail.  On your journey be sure to stop at the rest benches along the trail and take a look at the trail information guides helped placed by local Eagle Scouts.  Each guide gives visitors three things that they may be able to see on the trail. 

Keep in mind the Prairie Spirit Trail hooks into two other trails which will lead you into yet more trails and communities. To the South in Iola, the Southwind trail hooks to the Prairie Spirit and travels from Iola to Humboldt in Allen County.  This trail is fully complete and well maintained.  Allen County also has the Missouri Pacific Recreational Trail, Centennial Trail and the Lehigh Portland Trail.

To the North the Prairie Spirit connects with the Flint Hills Trail State Park in Ottawa.  The Flint Hills Trail travels from Osawatomie to Herrington.  This trail is open in many areas, and where open is well maintained.  There are currently no restrooms or water fountains next to the Flint Hills Trail and some of it is still under construction so plan accordingly.  Some of the most beautiful landscapes, bridges, and wildlife can be seen from these trail systems.

If you haven't seen the new work that the three large communities (Ottawa, Garnett, Iola) along the Prairie Spirit Trail have put into their systems, I urge you to investigate.  New signs, trails, primitive camping, a bicycle repair station, a farmer's market, and trail access have been placed in these destinations.  The amount of work that volunteers and the cities do for these areas is astounding.

Ultra Marathon races are offered on the trail in the Spring and Fall.  Some of the most positive and determined people I have ever met have participated in these runs.  Many distances are offered.  If you are looking for a challenge, this would be one to put on your list.

 

Jim Manning

Ranger, Prairie Spirit Trail

February 22, 2022

During the Spring of 2021, Garnett’s Ronin Stande Calley organized his first Eagle Scout project to incorporate more interpretive learning along the trail. Ronin, who had started out as a Tiger Cub Scout at age seven and is now an Eagle Scout, met with one of our trail’s Park Rangers to discuss ideas for the trail. Together, they agreed to implement an interpretative sign displaying some of the natural wildflowers that can be seen in the state of Kansas, many of which can be seen along the trail! An area on the side of the trail was cleared of trees, tilled, and then planted with the wildflowers depicted on the sign. Extensive research and coordination was required between Ronin and representatives of the USDA and Horticulture Department to decide which flowers would be best to plant. Fashion Inc., out of Ottawa was responsible for donating the materials to build the sign.  

After 65 hours of hard work and determination between Ronin and his fellow scouts of Troop 74 out of Ottawa, a frame was built and the sign was anchored into the ground. You can admire Ronin and the Troop’s work along the west side of the trail between Scipio Rd. And highway 59. A special thank you to Ronin, as well as his brother Nathan (who implemented the other wildlife kiosks along the trail), for their desire to improve the trail for members of the community to enjoy for years to come!

flintHillsRailTrail
General Information
Phone:
Address:
419 S. Oak
 
Garnett, KS    66032
County/Counties:

 

Garnett Area Chamber Of Commerce - (785) 448-6767


History
 

The trail is built upon a railroad Right-of Way which was the first north -south rail line in Kansas. The rail line was constructed in the1860's.

Prairie Spirit Trail Areas






Prairie Spirit Trail Trails
Prairie Spirit Trail – South End – Welda Rest Area
  • Trail Season: Year-around
  • Length of Trail: 51 mile(s)
  • Trail Activities: Walking, Mt. Biking
  • There is camping located near the trail
  • This trail is ADA accessible
  • Location of Start: N38 10 10.7 W095 17 42.6
  • Click for more information

    A 51 mile linear park built upon a rail-banked rail corridor. The riding/walking surface is 8 feet wide hard packed limestone screenings. Grades are moderate and follo the original rail grades.


Prairie Spirit Trail – North End – Ottawa Depot
  • Trail Season: Year-around
  • Length of Trail: 51 mile(s)
  • Trail Activities: Walking, Mt. Biking
  • There is camping located near the trail
  • This trail is ADA accessible
  • Location of Start: N38 37 13. 3 W095 16 12.0
  • Click for more information

    A 51 mile linear park built upon a rail-banked rail corridor. The riding/walking surface is 8 feet wide hard packed limestone screenings. Grades are moderate and follo the original rail grades.


Prairie Spirit Trail Calendar