I recently discovered the most underutilized hiking trail at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve – The Two Section Trail, in Strong City, Kansas.
I’ve wanted to hike this trail for a while, but you know how it is, I can only do so much in one day.
Normally when I get to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, I’m so excited that I just get out and start hiking the trails that are at the main complex that has the visitor’s center, the Springhill / Z Bar Ranch and all the other trailheads.
The Two Section Trailheads aren’t in that complex. In fact, they’re kind of hidden.
Find the Trailheads
One of the trailheads is located northeast of Strong City.
As you’re driving on Highway 50, you’ll come to a dirt road (U Rd.) that intersects the highway east of town. On the southwest corner of that intersection is a historical marker.
Turn to go north on that road and the trailhead is about half a mile away. You’ll see cattle pens and a parking lot on the left side of the road.
The other trailhead is in town.
From Highway 50, turn south on Cottonwood Street, and then turn right on 6th Street.
There’s a loop drive on the corner of 6th and Pine, turn right and the trailhead with a small parking lot will be on your right.
On the Trail
I started my hike at the northeast trailhead.
The Two Section hiking trail is an old ranch road that goes through grazing lands that the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve leases to local cattle ranchers in Kansas.
The first half of the trail is easy and relatively flat. It goes along a ridgeline at the top of the hills which gives you miles of Flint Hills scenery.
Looking to the north, you’ll pass three large ponds at the bottom of the hills. A creek connects all three.
The ponds are open for catch and release fishing and they’re a really nice place to hang out and enjoy the scenery.
Unfortunately, there are no dedicated trails to get down to them, so you’ll have to walk through the grass or walk on cow ruts. Keep in mind that ticks and chiggers may be heavily populated in the tallgrass.
Looking south, you’ll see the town of Strong City. It’s somewhat picturesque with the church steeple and the houses that surround it. You can also see the town of Cottonwood Falls in the far distance.
I made my way down to the second and third ponds. This gave me some views that I wouldn’t have seen from the trail.
The grass had been burned earlier in the spring, so it was really short and I was confident that ticks and chiggers weren’t much of a threat. If I was hiking in the summer I probably wouldn’t have veered far from the trail.
The ponds were really pretty. I hiked along little creeks that cascaded down the rocky hills and into the ponds.
The rolling hills that surrounded the ponds were covered in bright green grass and dotted with limestone, and a couple of trees here and there. It reminded me of Ireland!
After hanging out at the ponds for a while, I made my way back up to the hiking trail.
Back on the Trail
The trail curved around and down into a valley where it crosses a creek in two places. Immediately after the first creek crossing, I came across a cottonwood tree with a trunk wide enough, you could probably fit three guys my size in it!
I crossed another creek and the trail led to a gate. I crossed a dirt road and continued on the trail which went through some wooded areas, crossed under Highway 50, and ended at the loop parking lot in town. Since it is a linear trail, I turned around and took the same way back to my vehicle.
I absolutely loved the Two Section Hiking Trail. If you’re looking for big views of the Flint Hills, this hiking trail is definitely for you.
Safe travels!
Matt McCoy, writer and photographer, Rugged Kansas
Location: Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Strong City, Kansas
Fees: No.
Dogs: Not allowed while cattle are on the land.
Activities: Hiking.
Trail Construction: Natural surface, grass surface, linear trail.
Trail Length from Description Above: 5 miles (2.5 out; 2.5 back)
Total Length Available: 6 miles (3 out; 3 back)
Camping: No camping on the trails. RV and tent camping is available in the campgrounds at Council Grove State Park.
Features: Wildlife, Open Prairie, Meadows, Flint Hills, Creeks, Rock Formations, Pond Views, Water Crossings
Hazards: Ticks and chiggers can be a problem on grass-surfaced trails. Bug spray is highly recommended. There’s no shade on this trail, be sure to bring sunscreen and have plenty of water to prevent heat related injuries. Stay away from the cattle if they’re in the fields, especially if there are calves with them.
Websites: https://www.nps.gov/tapr/index.htm
Other Kansas hiking trails you may like:
Wildlife Drive at the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
Hiking trails at the Chaplin Nature Center
Catclaw and Post Oak hiking trails at Fall River Lake