National Parks In Kansas

Kansas National Parks

The map of National Parks in Kansas highlights the geographical location of various historic sites and natural reserves of the state. The Kansas state map is also an important indicator of all the national parks of the state.

How many National Parks are in Kansas?

The state has 5 designated national parks and 5 associated sites.

The five designated national parks in Kansas are Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic Site, Nicodemus National Historic Site, Fort Scott National Historic Site, and Fort Larned National Historic Site.

The associated sites in the state are Santa Fe National Historic Trail, Pony Express National Historic Trail, Oregon National Historic Trail, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, and California National Historic Trail.

Best National Preserve in Kansas

1. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (Strong City, KS)

   Once upon a time, tallgrass prairie was spread across 170 million acres of North America. However, rapid transformation to farmland has left just 4% of the total tallgrass prairie. Most of the remaining ones can be found in the Kansas Flint Hills.

   Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve was established on November 12, 1996. It protects the last standing tallgrass prairie ecosystem, which once used to dominate the North American landscape.

   The physical address of Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is 2480B KS Highway 177, Strong City, KS 66869. You can reach this national preserve by car from Strong City, Wichita, and Topeka.

   Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is situated in northern Chase County. It is situated 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the intersection between US Highway 50 and Flint Hills National Scenic Byway 177 (K-177). As you approach your destination, check out for brown attraction signs.

   The temperature here ranges from 0 degrees in the winter to 90 + degrees in the summer. The prairie winds cause both summer storms and winter blizzards occasionally. Tornadoes formed from the thunderstorms, which in turn were formed on the Great Plains, are rare.

   If you are a hiker, always check the current weather conditions at NOAA before hiking into the preserve. This is important because lightning poses a danger when hiking.

   Outside the limestone buildings, cellular services are available. However, inside the structures, you’ll not get any such service because the limestone walls interfere with the signal.

   April to October is the off-season. Except for major holidays, the historic buildings remain open every day. Hiking trails remain open round the clock. As no private vehicles are allowed in the prairie, you can access the prairie only by walking or hiking. Camping and overnight parking are not allowed.

Best National Historic Site in Kansas

1. Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site (Topeka, KS)

   Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site reminds you about the history of segregation in America. It reminds visitors about the US Supreme Court decision in 1954 that officially ended racial segregation in public schools. The US Supreme Court unanimously upheld the US Constitution’s 14th Amendment and provided “equal protection of the laws”.

   This site was established in 1992 to let visitors get reminded about the legacy of the Brown v. Board of Education case, considered as a watershed in the history of racial justice. This place has a temperate continental climate. It is characterized by extreme temperature differences between summers and winters. Keep these climatic aspects in mind before traveling to Kansas.

   The physical address of Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site is 1515 SE Monroe Street, Topeka, KS 66612-1143. For most visitors, cellular access is excellent at the site area. In the visitor center, you’ll get excellent public WiFi. You can get WiFi access by asking a Park Ranger.

2. Fort Larned National Historic Site (Larned, KS)

   Fort Larned National Historic Site preserves the tumultuous history of the Indian Wars era. This historic site includes sandstone-constructed buildings that used to shelter troops, who were known as the Guardians of the Santa Fe Trail.

   The physical address of this site is 1767 KS Hwy 156, Larned, KS 67550. It is situated 6 miles (9.7 km) west of a city in Kansas, Larned. This part of the state experiences a 4-season climate. It remains cold and dry during winter. The average daytime high temperature remains below 40 ℉ (4.4 ℃).

   The temperature of central Kansas increases above 80 ℉ (27 ℃) due to Foehn winds that periodically blow from the Southwest. Especially during springtime, severe weather arrives and it lasts till early-July. This happens mainly due to unsettling warmer air and higher winds.

   During late summer, the temperature moves over 90 ℉ (32 ℃). The temperature reaching over 100 ℉ (38 ℃) is not uncommon. Fall usually remains milder. Due to the variable nature of the climate, showers change to snow and ice later.

   Throughout the park grounds, cell phone signals are good. However, the public WiFi facility is yet not available at Fort Larned National Historic Site.

3. Fort Scott National Historic Site (Fort Scott, KS)

   Fort Scott National Historic Site is a reminder to those bygone years from 1842 to 1873. The structures of this historic site, the parade ground, and the tallgrass prairie are witness to the era when America was evolving from a young republic to a united transcontinental nation. Take a look at the past by visiting Fort Scott National Historic Site.

   The physical address of this national park is 1 Old Fort Blvd., Fort Scott, KS 66701. You can reach this downtown Fort Scott site from the intersection between the US Highways 69 and 54.

   Fort Scott National Historic Site is located around 90 miles (145 km) south of Kansas City and 60 miles (97 km) northwest of Joplin, Missouri. From the Kansas-Missouri border, this site is situated just 4-miles (6 km) away.

   Both spring and fall have pleasant weather and the temperatures remain mild. However, summers remain hot and humid. As lightning strikes are common, you should check the weather before traveling. You’ll get cellular data service throughout the park.

   Except for major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, Fort Scott National Historic Site remains open 362 days a year. This site is open and free of charge every day.

4. Nicodemus National Historic Site (Nicodemus, KS)

   At the end of the post-Civil War Reconstruction period, the formerly enslaved African Americans left Kentucky in organized colonies for experiencing freedom in Kansas. The Nicodemus National Historic Site represents the westward expansion and settlement of the Great Plains. This is the only remaining and oldest Black settlement situated to the west of the Mississippi River.

   The physical address is 304 Washington Avenue, Nicodemus, KS 67625-3015. It is situated in Hill City and Stockton on Highway 24 in northwestern Kansas. There are essentially 4 season climates in Northwest Kansas. While the summers are long and hot, the winters are cold. Both the spring and fall seasons are short with the breeze blowing almost constantly.

   In comparison to the eastern part of Kansas, the humidity here is relatively low. During spring and summer, the afternoon thunderstorms are accompanied by gusty winds, hail, and lightning. Cellular signal is limited in Nicodemus.

Best National Historic Trail in Kansas

1. California National Historic Trail (Various States CA, CO, ID, KS, MO, NE, NV, OR, UT, WY)

   Visit and hike California National Historic Trail if you want to follow in the footsteps of the greatest mass migration in American history. During the 1840s and 1850s, more than 250,000 emigrants traveled through California’s goldfields and rich farmlands. This trail is 5,000 miles (8,047 km) long and is spread across ten US states. Hike this trail of more than 1,000 miles of ruts and traces from travelers and their overland wagons. Step into the past by visiting California National Historic Trail.

2. Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail (Sixteen States: IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MO, MT, NE, ND, OH, OR, PA, SD, WA, WV)

   The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is around 4,900 miles (7,886 km) long. It extends from Pennsylvania’s Pittsburgh to Oregon’s Astoria (which is also the mouth of the Columbia River). This trail follows the expedition’s historic outbound and inbound routes as well as Pittsburgh to Wood River’s preparatory section.

3. Oregon National Historic Trail (Various States ID, KS, MO, NE, OR, WA, WY)

   Oregon National Historic Trail passes through 6 US states and reminds us about the struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs made by the early American settlers. These emigrants left their homes and walked for weeks towards Oregon for a better future consisting of lush farmlands.

4. Pony Express National Historic Trail (Various States CA, CO, KS, MO, NE, NV, UT, WY)

   Pony Express National Historic Trail reminds us of the relay system in those bygone days when young men rode horses to carry mail from Missouri to California in just 10 days. Before the advent of the telegraph, this historic trail through 8 US states was the most direct and practical means of east-west communications.

5. Santa Fe National Historic Trail (CO, KS, MO, NM, OK)

   Explore the Santa Fe National Historic Trail and feel the adventure and evidence of those travelers who made this trip in the past. You can almost hear the whoops and cries of “All’s set!” as they carried cargo from western Missouri to New Mexico’s Santa Fe. Feel the thrill of traveling the trail and make it a remarkable trip.