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Pit Toilet

Pit Toilet

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Located in the Cross Timbers region consisting mainly of ancient post and blackjack oaks, Elk City State Park boasts some of the best hiking trails in southeast Kansas. Currently, the state park operates Four foot trails totaling 8 miles and one mountain bike trail which is approximately 4 miles in length. Two other trails, the Elk River hiking trail and the Timber Ridge hiking trail are also located at Elk City Lake but are not located on state park property.

This linear trail has a trailhead at the Scenic Overlook near the dam and at Timber Road Campground, northwest of the State Park office. Due to this trails length, it is able to give witness to the hiker many different and picturesque scenes. If chosen to begin the trail at the Scenic Overlook, the trail runs north .2 mile atop edge of Table Mound along the edge of a 20-foot bluff. After dropping through a crack in a rock and going down to the foot of the bluff, it turns sharply south. For about the next .5 mile, the trail passes along vertical rock walls, boulder fields and cave-like formations. The trail then drops down through a ravine and crosses the county road. For the next 1.9 miles, the trail winds through forested hills and crosses three small creeks. The final segment is .15 mile and is along an old roadway. This particular trail is blazed with blue paint markings and is considered a moderately strenuous hike. This trail has been designated as a National Recreation trail under the U.S Department of the Interior?s National Trail System.

This interpretive nature trail is a loop design with its trailhead located in the Timber Road Campground. Features of the trail include two wooden pedestrian footpaths, which are about 33-40 feet in length and interpretive signing informing hikers of the plants and animals native to this area. The trail is described as a moderately strenuous hike that is somewhat uphill. At the top of the hill, the surrounding trees frame a spectacular view of Elk City Lake.

This 2/3-mile trail located on the top of table mound is a relatively easy hike. The trailhead is located at the scenic overlook near the dam. The old-growth forest setting that this trail winds through is indicative of the Cross Timbers region. A wide variety of tree species can be found here with many specimens being well over 200 years in age. A self-guiding brochure has been developed to coincide with this trail to be used as an interpretive aide for the user. This trail has been designated as a National Recreation Trail under the U.S Department of the Interior?s National Trail System.