Local Trails
Hiking and Walking Trails Around Manhattan
Konza Prairie Trail
Difficulty: Moderate -- Advanced
Trail: Three loop trails of approx. 2.5, 4 and 6 miles. Short trail is self-guided nature trail. Wildlife viewing opportunities. Listed in 2009 as one of Backpacker Magazine’s Top 100 Day Hikes in the U.S.A.
Directions: From intersection of Bluemont Ave. and Tuttle Creek Blvd., go south on Tuttle Creek Blvd. to Hwy 177. Immediately after the bridge, turn right on McDowell Creek Rd. Go approx. 6 miles until just past town of Ashland. Turn left at Konza Prairie sign, and go approx. ½ mile to parking area and trailhead.
Facilities: composting toilets about 1 mile from trailhead
Misc.: suggested donation of $2/person. Dogs not allowed on trail. Self-guided nature trail maps available at trailhead.
Linear Trail
Difficulty: Beginner
Trail: 8-mile multi-use recreation/exercise trail, crushed gravel and paved surface
Directions: multiple access points to the trail, including Casement Rd., Blue River Bridge, South Manhattan Ave., Clarion Inn, West Anderson Fire Station
Facilities: none
CiCo Park Exercise Trail
Difficulty: Beginner
Trail: Approx. 1 mile walking/jogging trail on crushed gravel with exercise stations
Directions:
From intersection of Bluemont Ave. and Tuttle Creek Blvd., go north on Tuttle Creek Blvd. approx. 1 mile to Kimball Ave. Go left (west) on Kimball approx. 3 miles to CiCo Park. Trail access on southeast side of park near playground/pool area.
Facilities: restrooms
Misc:
Warner Park Trails
Difficulty: Beginner – Moderate
Trail: 2+ miles walking/jogging trails, some branches go into woods with elevation change. Not all trails are loops, so be prepared to double back.
Directions:
From intersection of Bluemont Ave. and Tuttle Creek Blvd., go south on Tuttle Creek Blvd. until it becomes Fort Riley Blvd. and turns west. Continue approx. 3 miles past Seth Child Rd. to Miller Parkway on right. Turn onto Miller Pkwy then immediately right on Warner Park Rd. Continue to end of road; trailhead areas are near parking area.
Facilities: none
Misc: Trails can also be reached off Schuss Rd. behind Arby’s.
Carnahan Creek State Park
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail: 5-6 miles technical singletrack
Directions:
From intersection of Bluemont Ave. and Tuttle Creek Blvd., go north on Tuttle Creek Blvd to Hwy 13. East on Hwy 13 across Tuttle Creek Dam and Spillway for 5-6 miles. Turn north on Carnahan Rd. for about 5 miles. Turn back west at sign for Carnahan State Park on Park Rd. for 1 mile. Trailhead is near the newer restroom facilities.
Facilities: camping, restrooms
Caution: This trail is designated for equestrian use. Always yield to horses to prevent spooking. Also be alert for cyclists who use this trail.
Fancy Creek State Park
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail: 4-5 miles of trail with elevation changes
Directions:
From intersection of Bluemont Ave. and Tuttle Creek Blvd., go north on Tuttle Creek Blvd. (Hwy 24/Hwy 77) to just after Randolph (~25 miles). East on Hwy 16 for 2 miles. North at Fancy Creek State Park sign (Last turn before bridge). Trailhead and map are at the first right after the self pay station.
Facilities: restrooms, camping
Caution: Trails are popular among mountain bikers. Be alert to cyclists using the trail.
Blue River Outlet Trail
Difficulty: Beginner
Trail: Approx. 1 ½ mile loop trail along the river then back through wooded area and across meadow to trailhead.
Directions:
From intersection of Bluemont Ave. and Tuttle Creek Blvd., go north on Tuttle Creek Blvd. to turnoff for Tuttle Creek River Pond. Follow road around the “tubes” and turn right into parking area just as road turns left to go to River Pond State Park pay station. (Purple playground by parking area.) Trailhead is at south end of parking area.
Facilities: restrooms
Blue
River Outlet Park trail – hiking trail loop near River Pond State Park
Mountain Bike Trails Around Manhattan
Linear Trail
Difficulty: Beginner
Trail: 8-mile multi-use recreation/exercise trail
Directions: multiple access points to the trail, including Casement Rd., Blue River Bridge, South Manhattan Ave., Clarion Inn, West Anderson Fire Station
Facilities: none
Manhattan River Trails
Difficulty: Beginner – Advanced
Trail: 2-4 miles smooth singletrack with “North Shore” style stunts, ladders and bridges
Directions:
From intersection of Bluemont Ave. and Tuttle Creek Blvd, go south on Tuttle Creek Blvd to Hwy 24. East on Hwy 24 to Blue River Bridge. Turn south into the boat ramp parking lot just before the bridge. Ride under the railroad bridge; the trailhead is on the east side of the Linear Trail.
Facilities: none
Caution: This trail is continually changing; always be alert for trail changes/modifications.
Spillway Cycle Area, a.k.a. “The Bowls”
Difficulty: Moderate – Advanced
Trail: Technical singletrack, Bowls feature several jumps and drop-ins
Directions:
From intersection of Bluemont Ave. and Tuttle Creek Blvd., go north on Tuttle Creek Blvd. to Hwy 13. East on Hwy 13 across Tuttle Creek Dam and Spillway. Turn South just after spillway onto Dyer Rd. for ½ mile. Turn back west at sign for Spillway Cycle Area.
Facilities: restrooms
Caution: This is a designated ATV area. Use caution when ATVs are present.
Carnahan Creek
Difficulty: Moderate – Advanced
Trail: 5-6 miles technical singletrack with good climbs and descents
Directions:
From intersection of Bluemont Ave. and Tuttle Creek Blvd., go north on Tuttle Creek Blvd to Hwy 13. East on Hwy 13 across Tuttle Creek Dam and Spillway for 5-6 miles. Turn north on Carnahan Rd. for about 5 miles. Turn back west at sign for Carnahan State Park on Park Rd. for 1 mile. Trailhead is near the newer restroom facilities.
Facilities: camping, restrooms
Caution: This trail is designated for equestrian use. Always yield to horses to prevent spooking.
Tuttle Creek ORV Area
Difficulty: Advanced
Trail: 10+ miles of technical trails of various types with good climbs and descents and many drop-ins
Directions:
From intersection of Bluemont Ave. and Tuttle Creek Blvd., go north on Tuttle Creek Blvd. (Hwy 24/Hwy 77) to just before Randolph (~22 miles). Go east on Riley County Road 893 for ½ mile. East on Secrest Rd. at ORV sign for 2 miles. Trailheads surround main parking area.
Facilities: restrooms
Caution: This is a designated ORV and ATV area. Be aware that this area is constantly changing.
Fancy Creek State Park
Difficulty: Moderate – Advanced
Trail: 4-5 miles singletrack with many short climbs and descents
Directions:
From intersection of Bluemont Ave. and Tuttle Creek Blvd., go north on Tuttle Creek Blvd. (Hwy 24/Hwy 77) to just after Randolph (~25 miles). East on Hwy 16 for 2 miles. North at Fancy Creek State Park sign (Last turn before bridge). Trailhead and map are at the first right after the self pay station.
Facilities: restrooms, camping
Randolph State Park
Difficulty: Moderate – Advanced
Trail: 10+ miles singletrack with many switchbacks
Directions:
From intersection of Bluemont Ave. and Tuttle Creek Blvd., go north on Tuttle Creek Blvd (Hwy 24/Hwy 77) to just after Randolph (~25 miles). East on Hwy 16 for 3 miles, then south at the Randolph State Park sign (first right turn after bridge). Trailhead and map are near the self pay station.
Facilities: showers, restrooms, camping
Caution: This trail is designated for eque
