Crusher Hill Trail is a six-mile loop hiking trail at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, a few miles north of Strong City, Kansas.
The Crusher Hill Trail makes you feel like you’re miles away from it all! The hiking trail has amazing views of the Flint Hills and beautiful grasslands.
The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is located on Highway 177 just north of Strong City and Cottonwood Falls; 20 minutes west of Emporia, and about 25 minutes south of Council Grove.
The lands and historic buildings are maintained and operated by the National Parks Service.
The visitor’s center has maps and educational displays, as well as a small gift shop and restrooms. And the staff members are awesome and very knowledgeable!
Hiking the Crusher Hill Loop Trail
I started my hike at the main trailhead located just behind the big barn. This is a crushed rock surface that’s also the road for the tour bus.
As the trail bends, you’ll come to marker 13, this is where you’ll get on the Ranch Legacy Trail. This trail leads to the Crusher Hill Loop hiking trail.
The hiking trail goes east toward the highway and splits right after a creek crossing. If you go left, you’ll be on the Fox Creek Trail. Go right to stay on the Ranch Legacy Trail.
The Ranch Legacy Trail
The hiking trail bends back to the west and becomes an easy climb up the hills. As you get closer to the top, the climb gets steeper and a little more strenuous.
But it’s worth it! When you get to the top of the hill, you’ll be surrounded by views of the stunning Kansas landscape.
Be sure to stay here a minute to take it all in.
You’ll see creek valleys to the east and west of where you’re standing.
The visitor’s complex is to the northeast.
The Scenic Overlook Trail is to the north (which probably has more people than the hiking trail you’re on).
And to the south-southeast, you’ll see Strong City and Cottonwood Falls.
As you hike along the hilltops, the hiking trail will spit again. Going right will keep you on the Ranch Legacy Trail, and going left will put you on the Crusher Hill Loop Trail.
The Crusher Hill Loop Trail
You’ll come to a gate that opens to the Crusher Hill Pasture. This is a good spot to stop for a minute and rehydrate. There’s not a lot of shade on this hiking trail, so pay close attention to your water intake.
After you go through the gate, the hiking trail splits. The trail that goes left isn’t on the map so I’m not sure where it leads. I went right to stay on the main loop.
The hiking trail bends to the west and downhill. At the bottom of the hill is a small creek.
Even though the creek was small, the crossing was too deep for me to walk through without soaking my shoes and socks. So I threw my backpack across, found a spot where the creek was skinnier, made a running start and jumped across.
It was like something out of Indiana Jones! It was the coolest thing ever, but no witnesses to see it!
Alright, maybe it wasn’t that impressive, but it was fun. Oh well, moving on.
About a hundred yards after that creek was another creek. This one was much shallower and more photogenic.
The hiking trail bends to the north and leads to a cottonwood grove with a creek running through it. I loved this spot.
I hung out in the cottonwood grove for a little while, enjoying the shade and listening to the Kansas breeze blowing through the trees.
The hiking trail continues north and you’ll go back into the Red House Pasture. At marker 19, the trail makes a sharp turn to the southeast and you’ll start climbing back up the hills.
There’s also a trail that goes to the north at marker 19. This trail wasn’t on the map so I didn’t take it, so I assume it’s a utility road.
A downhill finish to a great hike
The hiking trail leads back to the Ranch Legacy Trail, where it splits once again. Go left to head north toward the Scenic Overlook Trail.
This one-mile section is pretty flat but it still has interesting views of the landscape.
The hiking trail will lead to a gate which goes to the Windmill Pasture. Bison may be present, which presents exciting opportunities to view them, but please maintain your distance.
The Scenic Overlook Trail takes you back down the hill and to the trailhead where you started. Click here to learn more about the Scenic Overlook Trail.
The Crusher Hill Loop Trail at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve was an amazing hiking trail in the Flint Hills. Add it to your list when you’re looking for things to do in Kansas.
Safe travels!
Matt McCoy, writer and photographer, Rugged Kansas
Essential Info about the Crusher Hill Loop hiking trail
Location: The Crusher Hill Loop Trail is in the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, a few miles north of Strong City and about 20 miles south of Council Grove, Kansas.
Fees: No
Dogs: Not allowed
Activities: Hiking
Trail Construction: Natural surface, grass surface, loop trail
Trail Length from Description Above: 6 miles
Total Length Available: Approximately 30 miles
Seasons: Open all year.
Total Length Available: Approximately 30 miles
Camping: No camping on the hiking trail. There are campgrounds at Chase State Fishing Lake and Council Grove Lake.
Features: Scenic Views, Creek, Pond, Wildflowers, Wildlife, Meadows, Flint Hills, Historic Buildings, Bison Herd
Historic Significance: Spring Hill / Z Bar Ranch, established 1878
According to the park’s brochure, “The Spring Hill / Z Bar Ranch represents a continuous ranching legacy from 1878 to 1986. The buildings show remnants from its earliest beginnings as well as changes made by the ranch’s many owners. The original owners, Stephen and Louisa Jones, built the nearby Lower Fox Creek School and their daughter Loutie attended.”
The limestone buildings include a beautiful ranch house, a massive barn, corrals, fences and many other outbuildings. Most of the buildings are open to visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hazards: There are virtually no trees on this trail, sunburn and heat-related injuries are very possible. Take plenty of water. Sunscreen and hats are highly recommended. Fields that have recently been burned will add to the heat. Prescribed burning will close the trails. Keep your distance from bison, especially if there are calves nearby. Ticks may also be a problem on grass surfaced trails.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/tapr/index.htm