The Badger Creek Trail North is a hiking and mountain biking trail located at the northeast side of Fall River Lake in Greenwood County, Kansas. The terrain is very rugged, rocky and heavily wooded. If you’re looking for a challenge, here it is.
Fall River Lake is on the eastern edge of the Flint Hills and has some characteristics of the Cross Timbers region.
The Trailhead
The Badger Creek North hiking and mountain biking trails are maintained by the Kansas Singletrack Society, a chapter of the International Mountain Bicycling Association. They’re doing an awesome job in maintaining these trails.
There isn’t much of a parking lot at the trailhead. When you pull up, there’s a gate that looks like it goes on someone’s private property.
The trailhead has a map for both Badger Creek Trails (North and South). The south trail is about 600 yards down the road from the parking area. Both trails are about four miles each. The north trail is a loop trail and the south trail is a balloon loop.
I decided to hike the north trail simply because I was already at the trailhead, but first things first…bug spray.
Hiking the Badger Creek Trail North
Just past the trailhead, there’s a picnic table in the middle of what looks like an old house foundation…kinda cool.
The trail immediately splits left or right. I went right which took me up a steady incline that eventually leveled out. The path followed the side of a hill, and it seemed like Badger Creek was at the bottom of the hill to my right, but I never saw it because the brush was so thick.
There were lots of big rock formations that dotted the trail under a canopy of tall oak trees, offering a landscape only seen by those who are willing to wander.
As I made it toward the top of the hill, the trail turned to a dirt surface and less rocky. It became very curvy which is typical of mountain bike trails.
There was one point along this section that the trees opened up just enough for me to look across the landscape at the Flint Hills. That was the only part with long-range views.
The trail led along some large flat rocks that were level to the ground. It was almost like they were put there for this purpose. Some of them were covered in slick moss, be careful and take it slow on that section.
Rough Road Ahead
I eventually came to a stony creek bed. Being mid-September, there was no water in it but I could tell that this is probably a great water feature during the rainy seasons.
After crossing the creek bed, the trail became extremely rocky. My hat’s off to anyone who can ride a mountain bike on this kind of terrain. I don’t see how you do it!
The trail circled back to the stony creek bed and began descending down the hill.
I crossed a few more dry creek beds on the way back to the trailhead. Like the other creek bed, I’m sure these creeks become bumbling brooks with little waterfalls and swells during the rainy seasons.
Before the hike ended, the trail passed through the area with the big, boulder rock formations. Once going north and again going south after a hairpin turn.
The gaps between the rocks were spaced wide enough for me to walk through. Some came up about to my hip and some were taller than me!
The trail had somewhat of a smooth ending as the surface returned to packed dirt.
As a side note, I had the pleasure of viewing a couple of turtles and three deer along the trail. This was a fun hike. Whoever designed it did a great job!
The Badger Creek Trail North is a fun and challenging hiking trail that you wouldn’t expect to find in Kansas.
I hope you enjoy the hike.
Safe travels!
Matt McCoy, writer and photographer, Rugged Kansas
Location: North of Highway 400; northeast side of Fall River Lake.
Fees: Free. Donations are accepted at https://www.imba.com/donate
Dogs: Allowed but must be leashed.
Activities: Hiking and mountain biking.
Trail Construction: Natural surface, loop trail
Trail Length from Description Above: 4.1 miles
Total Length Available: 4.1 miles
Camping: No camping on the trails. RV and tent camping is available in the campgrounds surrounding Fall River Lake.
Features: Wildlife, Woods, Ravines, Creeks, Rock Formations, Water Features (during rainy seasons)
Hazards: Mosquitos were buzzing around me the entire time. Bug spray is highly recommended. Stone pathways can be slick, use extreme caution on these parts. Lots of tripping hazards in rocky sections, pay close attention to foot placement. Mountain bikers, you’ll definitely need your personal protective gear for this trail.
Websites:
https://www.mtbproject.com/directory/8011479/badger-creek-at-fall-river
Facebook:
International Mountain Bicycling Association @IMBAonFB
Kansas Singletrack Society @KSSingletrack
Other Kansas hiking trails you may like:
Catclaw and Post Oak Trails at Fall River Lake
Lehigh Portland Trails in Iola