Hiking the Horsethief Canyon Trail at Kanopolis Lake

The Horsethief Canyon Trail is a hiking, biking, and horseback riding trail at Kanopolis State Park near Ellsworth, Kansas. This is one of the most popular hiking trails in Kansas.

The trail description below is a seven-mile hike, but the Horsethief Canyon Trail has a few options to make your hike as long or as short as you want.

Hiking the Horsethief Canyon Trail

I started my hike at Trailhead C. There’s a parking lot at the end of Horsethief Road in the East Shore Park. Maps are available at the trailhead.

At the trailhead, there are three options to choose. Taking the trail on the right will take you counterclockwise around the trail and towards the Rockin’ K Trail.

The middle trail is the Buffalo Tracks Trail, a mountain bike trail which goes straight over the hill. And the trail on the left takes you clockwise around the hill where you’ll immediately hike next to the water.

I took the left trail.

This part of the hiking trail is very sandy but the surface turns to packed dirt soon after.

Creek Crossings

About a quarter mile into the trail is a creek crossing. You can normally cross this as long as the water levels aren’t high. You might have to look around to see if people have put stones in the creek for you to step across.

After you cross the creek, you’ll come to a split. Going left will take you down to another creek crossing that’s normally too deep and too wide for hikers to cross. But it’s good for horses.

Going right will take you around the bend and along the creek. You can hear the babbling brook as you hike between it and the canyon wall.

You can see where the creek cut through the landscape as the scene opens in front of you.

You’ll come to another creek crossing which is normally crossable. This crossing is interesting because the rock formation that surrounds it produces a rust-colored mud that clings to the vegetation.

The orange-colored rock formation gives a striking scene against the complimentary blue sky.

The trail splits after the creek crossing. Going left will take you up the hill and will end up on the main trail. Going right will keep you on the main trail. You’ll go around the hill and up a wooded ravine.

Hiking on Hilltops

At the top of the hill, you’ll hike along the ridge that gives you expansive views of the lake and surrounding hills.

You’ll hike down the other side of the ridge that will take you into another canyon area that’s heavily wooded and divided by a creek.

You come to a creek crossing that was dry when I hiked it. At this crossing, there are red rock formations sticking out of the ground in the adjacent field.

You’ll hike up a hill and out of the wooded canyon. The trail takes you through a meadow that gives you long-range views of the Smoky Hills region.

You’ll come to a gate which gives you options to hike on the Prairie Trail, the Alum Creek Trail, and the Red Rock Canyon Trail. These are all excellent trails but will add many miles to your hike. Be prepared with plenty of water if you take these options.

These trails are also closed during fall and winter hunting seasons.

To stay on the Horsethief Canyon Trail, take the hiking trail going left from the gate and along the fence line. The trail will bend around and back down into the canyon area.

You’ll come to another creek crossing that has evidence of beaver activity. This allowed for logs to be laid across the creek which made it crossable.

After that creek crossing, the main trail will go to the crossing that wasn’t good for hikers. But there is a short spur trail to the left that will take you back to orange trail to the north. From here you’ll backtrack all the way to the first creek crossing.

When you get to that crossing, you can go back to the trailhead, or you can continue on the trail to see the caves, the mortar and pestle rock formation, and hike along the rim of the Box Canyon.

Conclusion about the Horsethief Canyon Trail

It’s easy to see why the Horsethief Canyon Trail at Kanopolis State Park is one of the most popular hiking trails in Kansas. This trail is good for beginners and experienced hikers, and has some of the most interesting scenery in the state.

Safe Travels!

Matt McCoy, writer and photographer, Rugged Kansas

Essential Info about the Horsethief Canyon Trail

Location: The Horsethief Canyon Trail is located in Kanopolis State Park and Reservoir.

Fees: Kansas State Park permit

Dogs: Allowed, must be leashed

Activities: Hiking, Biking, and Horseback Riding

Trail Construction: Natural surface, loop trail

Trail Length from Description Above: 7 miles

Total Length Available: 30+ miles

Seasons: Open all year. Connecting trails may be closed during hunting and mating seasons.

Camping: No camping on the hiking trail. There are campgrounds in the Horsethief Area at Kanopolis State Park.

Features: Scenic Views, Creeks, Wildflowers, Wildlife, Tall Grass Meadows, Rock Formations, Canyons, Caves, Woods

Hazards: Canyons tend to hold heat and have stagnate air, heat-related injuries are very possible. Take plenty of water. Sunscreen and hats are highly recommended. Water crossings can be high during certain times of the year. Don’t cross if it seems unsafe. Coyote scat is along the trail, maintain awareness if you’re hiking with dogs. Rattlesnake sightings have been reported, especially in the caves.

Website: https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Locations/Kanopolis