The Smoky Valley Ranch Trail is a 5.5-mile loop hiking trail at The Nature Conservancy’s Smoky Valley Ranch in Western Kansas.
The Smoky Valley Ranch Trail takes you through expansive open grasslands and chalk formations, giving you miles and miles of uninterrupted scenery.
The Nature Conservancy’s Smoky Valley Ranch
The Nature Conservancy’s Smoky Valley Ranch is located in southern Logan County, about 12 miles west of Highway 83. It’s about 38 miles north of Scott City and 26 miles south of Oakley (I-70).
The property is an 18,000-acre working cattle and bison ranch, with public access located on its western sector.
The trailhead has a sign-in sheet and maps that give you information on several points of interests along the hiking trail.
Hiking the Smoky Valley Ranch Trail
I started my hike at the trailhead located in a parking area just off of County Road 370. The hiking trail immediately splits. Go right to follow the map’s directions.
You’re greeted with endless views of the Smoky Hill River Valley complete with yucca stands, mixed grass prairie, and chalk formations that this area is known for.
As you come around the western edge of the hiking trail, you see chalk beds below. A little further along the trail and you’ll hike through some of the standing rock formations.
After hiking for about half a mile, you’ll come to a split in the hiking trail. If you go left, you’ll be on the one-mile hiking trail, and if you go right, you’ll be on the 5.5-mile hiking trail. I went right.
The hiking trail bends and turns along hillsides and a ridgeline, which gives you expansive views of the High Plains.
You’ll hike down a gradual hill that takes you into a valley where you’ll cross the 12-Mile Creek. The creek was dry when I was there, but I could tell that it’s a wide and shallow creek when there’s water in it.
After crossing the creek, you’ll climb up a steep hill which takes you around a few bends for breathtaking views of the Smoky Valley Ranch.
You’ll come around one bend that’s on the edge of a steep drop-off. From here, you can look across the creek valley below. According to the map, there are a few fun facts about this spot.
Not long after, you’ll cross another creek. When I was there in late September, the grass in the creek had turned to shades of purple and red, which complimented the green and brown landscape.
The next section of the hiking trail takes you along the rims of chalk bluffs for about a mile.
As you hike this section, you’ll see holes in the ground and in the bluffs. These are inhabited by black-tailed prairie dogs, black-footed ferrets and burrowing owls.
The hiking trail turns northeast and takes you between a creek to your left, and chalk bluffs to your right.
The hiking trail turns back toward the west, crosses the creek and gradually climbs out of the creek valley.
At this point, the hiking trail becomes very straight and flat, but still gives you beautiful, uninterrupted scenery.
You’ll cross two more shallow creeks and make your way back to the trailhead.
As you approach the mile five marker, you’ll see standing rock formations in the background (the same ones you saw at the beginning of the hike).
The trailhead is just up the hill from there.
The Smoky Valley Ranch Trail stands in complete contrast to the flatlands you see from the highway. It’s the perfect hiking trail for anyone who wants to explore the Western Vistas of Kansas.
Safe travels!
Matt McCoy, writer and photographer, Rugged Kansas
Essential Info about the Smoky Valley Ranch Trail
Location: The Smoky Valley Ranch Trail is located in Logan County in western Kansas, about 26 miles south of Oakley and 38 miles north of Scott City, Kansas.
Fees: No
Dogs: Allowed, must be leashed
Activities: Hiking and Horseback Riding
Trail Construction: Natural surface, loop trail
Trail Length from Description Above: 5.5 miles
Total Length Available: 5.5 miles
Seasons: Open all year.
Camping: No camping on the hiking trail. There are campgrounds at Historic Lake Scott State Park, about 20 miles to the south.
Features: Scenic Views, Creeks, Wildflowers, Wildlife, Short Grass and Mixed Grass Meadows, Western Vistas, Historic Buildings in the Area, Bison Herd, Chalk Bluffs and Standing Rock Formations
Historic Significance: Smoky Valley Ranch, established 1884
According to the park’s website:
1900s: Noah Ziegler a veteran cowboy began ranching at what is now known as Smoky Valley Ranch in 1884. Since that time, a succession of ranchers grazed the land with cattle and sheep.
1999: The Nature Conservancy purchased Smoky Valley Ranch from a collective of willing sellers to protect the land and keep the ranch intact. The following year, bison are reintroduced to the ranch.
2007: Black-footed ferrets, North America’s most endangered mammal, are reintroduced to the interior of the ranch.
2020: The final inholding is purchased by The Nature Conservancy, making the ranch whole again for the first time in 150 years. Sheep wire has been removed to allow pronghorn to pass through the ranch unimpeded.
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. Rattlesnakes are in the area. Wear boots and be aware of your surroundings, especially if you sit down. Rattlesnakes are more active in the early mornings and late evenings.
Website: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/smoky-valley-ranch/
Other Kansas Hiking Trails you may like:
The Bridle Trail at Lake Scott State Park
Prairie Trail at Kanopolis State Park