The Fox Creek Trail is an 8.5-mile hiking trail located in Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, north of Strong City and Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.
It’s a grass-surfaced hiking trail in the middle of one of my favorite geographic wonders, the Flint Hills.
Fox Creek Trail going South
From the visitor’s center, if you go to the south end of the parking lot you’ll find the trailhead that leads to a couple of gates.
Once I was through the trailhead gates, I walked through a culvert that goes under Highway 77.
On the east side of the highway, the terrain is flat with grassy fields in the foreground, a line of trees in the middle, and smooth but lofty hills in the background.
It wasn’t long before I got to the line of trees that surrounded Fox Creek.
I turned right at trail marker 60, which put me on the linear trail heading south toward Strong City.
There was a creek crossing right there that was pretty slippery because of recent rains. It’s much easier when it isn’t muddy.
Most of the trail is flat, creek bottom terrain which made the long hike pretty easy.
Even though it’s a mowed grass-surface, tire ruts are worn into the dirt which create a double-track, natural-surface trail.
The Bottomland Trail
The trail crosses open pastures, hugs the creek’s tree line, crosses a few small creeks and leads to the Bottomland Trail, a loop trail at the south edge of the park.
There’s a picnic area with a pit toilet on the Bottomland Trail that’s a good resting spot. Distance hiked so far, 3.3 miles.
After resting for a few minutes, I rounded the loop and got back on the main trail. As you make your way back, there are options at some of the directional markers to take different ways.
I suggest taking these because it makes the linear hike a little more interesting. All of the loop options lead back to the same trail.
The Fox Creek Trail Northern Loop
Once I got back to marker 60, I opted to hike the northern loop. This loop crosses the Fox Creek in two places.
Be prepared, the creek crossing at marker 61 requires you to walk through the water. The crossing further to the north has culverts with a concrete and stone cover to walk on.
This part of the trail goes along the side of one of the big hills in the park and then passes through scenic pasture and woodlands.
The Fox Creek Trail at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is a Kansas hiking trail that offers distance, gorgeous views, and wildlife spotting. I really enjoyed this hike!
I hope you enjoy the hike as well.
Safe travels!
Matt McCoy, writer and photographer, Rugged Kansas
Location: The Fox Creek hiking trail is located at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, a few miles north of Strong City and Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.
Fees: None
Dogs: Not allowed
Activities: Hiking and trail running
Trail Construction: Natural surface, mowed grass surface, linear with optional loops
Trail Length from Description Above: 8.5 miles
Total Length Available: Approximately 30 miles
Camping: No camping in the park. There’s a campground at Chase County State Fishing Lake about seven miles south of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
Features: Creeks, Wildlife, Woods, Flint Hills, Pastures, Water Crossings, Scenic Views
Hazards: Ticks are always a problem on grass-surface trails, check yourself often. You may also suffer chigger bites. Bug spray is highly recommended. There was a lot of poison ivy around the creek crossings, be extra careful. Airflow may be an issue in the deeply wooded areas on hot days. Drink plenty of water and take breaks as needed.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/tapr/index.htm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NPS.TallgrassPrairie/
Other Kansas hiking trails you may like:
The Two Section Trail at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
The Southwind Nature Trail at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve