This New State Park In Kansas Is An Outdoor Lake Haven For Hiking And Camping

Picture Kansas, and you'll likely imagine flat fields for as far as the eye can see. While this stereotype would be accurate for the western part of the state, the eastern third is lined with rivers and forests and dotted with gently rolling hills. While Kansas doesn't have the rugged topography and mountain lakes (nor the spotlight) of neighboring Colorado, the state still has plenty of under-the-radar natural beauty that can set the scene for a day on the trail or a relaxing camping trip. Just look to Lehigh Portland, Kansas' new state park.

Located just outside of Iola, Lehigh Portland State Park was created on the grounds surrounding a former limestone quarry and Portland cement plant. At the turn of the 20th century, the site was used as a source of limestone for local building materials and roads, before closing for good in the 1970s. For decades after, local hikers and bikers – and Thrive Allen County, a local community organization – created miles of trails through the area. Thrive and Iola Industries worked with the state to develop the property into a state park, adding a campground and a visitors center. Nature played a big part, too, repairing the industrial damage and turning the quarry into scenic, spring-fed Lake Lehigh.

Despite being only 360 acres, Lehigh Portland sits where some of the state's most unique natural environments come together. Hikers and bikers can explore trails leading through thick cedar forests, prairies, wetlands, or even a natural cave. Campers can kick back and rest, taking in the sights while swimming in the lake. You might even exclaim that it doesn't look like you're in Kansas anymore!

Although the state park designation is new, Lehigh Portland is well established as an outdoor hotspot for hiking and biking and is still free for walkers and cyclists – though motorists have to pay $5. Within the park, over 14 miles of trails showcase and provide access to the area's natural beauty, including the limestone cliffs, the park's cave, and other recreational activities. Wildlife are also present in the park, and you may hear songbirds on the trails.

The park has two main trailheads, an east and a west trailhead, that are connected by the 1.2-mile-long Backbone Trail, a gravel path that serves as the major artery for the park's trail network. A section of the trail passes near the lake and gently leads walkers and bikers atop rolling bluffs and past many of the park's main historical points of interest, including a water pump house and remnants of the former cement plant. If you're looking to see some of the park's natural sites, take a detour onto the South Loop Trail, which arguably has some of the best views in the park, as it crosses a creek and goes through prairie grasses and a cedar forest.

John Brown's Cave, a 300-foot-long cave in the park, is hidden off the Cave Trail system near the South Loop. The cave is open for exploration, though be sure to bring a light and a helmet. Trails in Lehigh Portland State Park are not grueling like those through the scenic cliffs of Zion National Park. However, you should still be prepared for changes in weather and carry plenty of water.

If you're not ready for your adventure to end at sunset, or you want to spend a quiet night near what has been called "one of the most distinctive landscapes in Kansas," pitch a tent or pull your RV to the park's new campground. Lehigh Portland has 28 campsites with water, electrical, and sewer hookups, as well as showers to clean up after a day on the trail. Note that there is very little natural shade. Camping starts at $10 per night.

If you're planning to spend a day on the water while camping, you'll be happy to know that boating is allowed on Lake Lehigh; however, the boat ramp has not been completed at the time of writing, per The Topeka Capital-Journal. The lake is a no-wake zone and is better suited for personal watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, or small boats with electric motors. If you are walking around the lakeshore or plan to swim, visitors to the park note the lake bed has sharp stones. Be sure to wear shoes.

In nearby Iola, you'll find a supermarket to grab food and drinks you'll need for your camping trip, as well as several restaurants in case you're tired of camp grub. Despite being a small city, Iola has Mexican, Chinese, and Japanese cuisine along with burgers and a handful of bars. Visitors flying to visit the park have multiple airports to choose from in Kansas and Missouri. Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT), Joplin Regional Airport (JLN), and traveler-friendly Kansas City International Airport (MCI) are about two hours away by car. If you are making the trip to see the unique landscapes, don't miss visiting the sights and history of Carthage, Missouri, just a couple of hours away.