The Sunflower State is not exactly a hotbed of tourism in any part of the state, but western Kansas, in particular, gets a bad rap. Sure, the majority of our larger cities are over in the east, and you won’t find any large metropolitan areas out west. However, western Kansas is absolutely beautiful and has natural scenery that’s truly unique. Many of the most impressive natural wonders in Kansas are tucked away in this sparsely-populated region. One of our favorite locales out here is Smoky Valley Ranch, hidden away in Oakley, KS. Oakley is a town with a population of just over 2,000, located about halfway between Denver and Topeka. Smoky Valley Ranch is a sprawling working cattle ranch/nature preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy, and the trails here are open to the public during daylight hours. Check this place out:

This 18,000-acre ranch is a working facility, but there are trails on the western half of the ranch that are open for hiking and horseback riding.
Lory Silva/Alltrails
Man, are these views amazing! The landscape here is absolutely incredible, and don't be surprised if you see a few bison or prairie chicken wandering about.
Don H/Alltrails
In addition to wildlife, you'll also notice plenty of large chalk bluffs here.
Lory Silva/Alltrails

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These massive structures may look like they're indestructible pieces of hard rock, but they're actually formed from chalk and are quite susceptible to the elements.
Jeri Brungardt/Google Reviews
Natural wonders like this will gradually erode over time, and one day they won't be here at all. It's definitely worth a visit to check them out while they're still with us.
There are a few trails here of varying difficulty levels.
Lory Silva/Alltrails
Whether you're just heading out for a quick stroll or want to explore the trails all day long and see what kind of wildlife you'll spot, there's something for everyone here.
Dough Neidholdt/Alltrails
This is such a remote and peaceful area - it's perfect for relaxation and gathering your thoughts out in nature.
Nicholas Detter/Google Reviews

For more information about this underrated park in Oakley, KS, check out The Nature Conservancy website or our friends at Alltrails. If you’re a big fan of hiking in Kansas, you may want to consider a free trial of Alltrails+, which features all the benefits of the free website, plus additional ones like downloadable trail maps and the ability to send turn-by-turn directions to a Garmin watch.

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Smoky Valley Ranch, 1114 County Road 370, Oakley, KS 67748, USA