Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is located in Logan county in western Kansas, an equal distance from the cities of Oakley to the north and Scott City to the south. The park is open sunup to sundown daily, all year round, including holidays, with two, permanent hiking trails that take you to multiple scenic overlooks at your own pace. The Overlook Trail extends one-quarter mile along a crushed rock surface to scenic viewpoint. Terrain: loose rock surface and gentle gradients. The Life on the Rocks Trail winds 1.5 miles along the rim of the rocks with multiple bends to provide a variety of views and two scenic overlooks. Terrain: crushed rock surface and gentle gradients for all abilities for the first 2/3 mile (3,500 feet) to the first overlook; natural surface trail with moderate slopes for the next 1/2 mile (2,766 feet) to the second overlook. All Kansas State Park regulations apply at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. Visitors are not allowed off-trail unless accompanied by park staff on a guided tour.
Great example of badlands — chalk spire erosion — without having to go to the Dakotas. Two trails were opened in 2020, a half-mile overlook and a 1.25-mile circuitous route well marked with with trail markers that are wonderful examples of the fossils found there, including embedded organisms as well as impression fossils. There are signs about every 0.2 miles that describe the vegetation, birds, reptiles, raptors and mammals in the area. We saw lizards and large grasshoppers, no snakes.
After a 4 hour drive, we enjoyed getting out and taking the short walk to the Spires Overlook. Off of Hwy 83, turn-off is a gravel road. Go to Monument Rocks too - that was very impressive as well.
Amazing state park, worth the trip! If you go on the ksoutdoors website you can join a free guided hike by a park ranger into the canyons!
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Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park
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