Home › Kansas › Manhattan › Konza Prairie Nature Trail
Konza Prairie Nature Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 177 Google reviews · Running trail in Manhattan, Kansas · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 6 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Konza Prairie Nature Trail'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.
Scenic network of trails through the Flint Hills for hiking, running and prairie strolling, plus some wildlife.
What runners say about Konza Prairie Nature Trail
“The hiking trail was well-maintained and easy to follow, with beautiful scenery along the way.”
“😁 Beautiful scenery and great place for a family outing, date or needing a break from reality on a solo mission!”
“The hiking trail was well-maintained and easy to follow, with beautiful scenery along the way.”
“Overall, it was a peaceful and enjoyable experience, and I would recommend it to others.”
I love hiking here. Never a bad experience. You have multiple choices when it comes to route and distance. I’ve been here through multiple climates. Well maintained. In use the Seek app to check out all the plant and insect species. Some nice resting areas throughout, especially by the stone buildings.
Thoroughly enjoyed the short trail. Hit it right when they opened to beat the heat. Extremely well maintained trails. Awesome views. Even the short trail is pretty intense. Glad we went left at the start to get the big climbs out of the way. It's all downhill from there... ;)
Very well maintained trail. A bit steep in places, but amazing views of the grassy prairie when you get to the top of the hill. If it's hot, you'll want to bring plenty of water and use sunscreen. There's a little shade at the beginning, but the rest of it is pretty exposed to the sun.
Such a pretty trail! It is quite a bit more up hill than I expected and the path is mostly gravel/rocks, so sometimes kind of difficult to climb up. The view at the top of the hill about halfway through the shortest trail is so worth it though.
Trail conditions & character
“😁 Beautiful scenery and great place for a family outing, date or needing a break from reality on a solo mission!”
“We visited the Flint Hills Discovery Center and learned about all the grasses, plants and grasshoppers and that made our hike yesterday even more interesting!”
“Great for hiking and trail running, but dogs/pets and bikes aren’t allowed.”
“Did the full 6 mile on a lazy summer Sunday and came back after the winter.”
“Overall, it was a peaceful and enjoyable experience, and I would recommend it to others.”
“It had a moderate difficulty level, making it suitable for most hikers.”
“Interpretive post markers provide information about the area.”
Plan your run at Konza Prairie Nature Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- Loop distance6 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitekeep.konza.k-state.edu
- Phone+1 785-532-6615
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–9 pm |
Running trails near Manhattan
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Konza Prairie Biological Station
4.9 ★★★★★ 214 reviews
This preserve for a native tallgrass prairie ecosystem has a research center & public hiking trails.
Stagg Hill Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 42 reviews
Tree-lined open space with a playground & athletic field, picnic tables with grills & walking paths.
Warner Memorial Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 168 reviews
Undeveloped park with wooded areas & large open spaces, plus a disc-golf course & BBQ grills.
Linear Trail S Manhattan Ave Trailhead
4.3 ★★★★☆ 63 reviews
Park offering biking, walking, and running trails.
Jorgensen Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 5 reviews
Frank Anneberg Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 455 reviews
Sprawling park & sports complex featuring over 100-acres of lighted fields, trails & picnic areas.