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Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area
4.5 ★★★★★ 537 Google reviews · Running trail in Junction City, Kansas · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Lakeside park featuring a campground, hiking trails and a 35-foot waterfall.
What runners say about Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area
“Nice clean refreshing place to spend a few hours or more to just unwind.”
“) We drove about 2 hours to visit, it was indeed very beautiful.”
“Nice peaceful lake my hubby and I had a picnic there for dinner then came back and seen this cute little guy and his friend!”
This waterfall is about 30 feet high and only has significant flow when there has been a lot of rain, it's actually the overflow area of the fishing lake. When there is enough flow it is quite beautiful. The area is not developed so there are no amenities.
Prior to yesterday, I've only been to the common fishing area of the lake. It's a nice place to fish though I've never caught a thing there but "seaweed." Yesterday I drove around to peruse the hunting area and found a small parking lot at a trailhead.
(Short notes: no restrooms, no picnic area, definitely trek not a train, and plan around the weather.) We drove about 2 hours to visit, it was indeed very beautiful. After looking at other reviews it seems the best time to visit is after a very heavy rain, today in particular it wasn’t flowing much.
Nice clean refreshing place to spend a few hours or more to just unwind. Really pretty kid friendly too. Nice little pool at the bottom they can play in. The water is only about knee deep and isn't moving too fast. The access path is a little steep in a few spots but definitely managable, even with littles ones.
Trail conditions & character
“This waterfall is about 30 feet high and only has significant flow when there has been a lot of rain, it's actually the overflow area of the fishing lake.”
“Nice peaceful lake my hubby and I had a picnic there for dinner then came back and seen this cute little guy and his friend!”
“Parked in the circular dirt parking area (*Do not block the gate*) and followed the well beaten walkpath across the levy.”
“Keep right as you cross the levy (*be careful it's a little steep*), then turn left (*this will lead you to the top of the falls; look for large stone slates that resemble steps*).”
“Head back to the main path (which is a dirt trail that is fairly steep with rocks and tree roots) and when you get to the bottom head a little left to the falls.”
“(Short notes: no restrooms, no picnic area, definitely trek not a train, and plan around the weather.”
Plan your run at Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Phone+1 785-461-5402
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Junction City
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
The Bluffs Park
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South Park, Junction City
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River Walk Trail
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South Outlook Park
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