Bitterly disappointed with my visit. Had hopes of some nice hiking and an overnight stay ala backpack with tent, sleeping bag, etc. As I write this I'm back home after aborting the trip about 3 hours into hiking the park. I'd hoped about now I'd be looking for a spot to set up camp, not at home wondering how a resource like this gets so seriously messed up.
What I found at the park were trails created with a large blade attached to a tractor. The trail use supports mountain bike, horses and ATVs. I knew this. And sure enough, I saw clear evidence of the latter two both in areas marked for such use and some were they were not supposed to me. I knew some cross-use existed, but wasn't prepared for how poorly the trails have been designed and in how poor shape they were.
Problems:
- Trails are not clearly marked.
- Trailhead signs are missing.
- Observed not a single mile marker.
- Trail maps are wildly inaccurate and confusing. Others have noted this online.
- Places on map where trails appear to merge turn out to not do so.
- There are no switchbacks. When you need to go uphill or downhill, you seriously do so without thought. Straight up or down. This is not so much a problem for a hiker as for the massive erosion it has created.
- Due to the poor layout of the trail and switchbacks and poor design, the trail is uninteresting.
The good:
- Designated camping areas for hikers have Adirondack 3 sided shelters with a roof and usually a large round fire container and logs to sit on. A nice touch.
- Clearly designated parking.
I'd go as far to state the trails here are damaging the park environment. Trails developed naturally by foot are kind to the environment and the hiker. The excessive erosion caused by the bladed trails is just sad. No one with expertise in trail design would have approached maintenance in this fashion.
Look, this park is fine if you just want to pull up a big RV or car tent camp in a designated area next to some trees, and that seems to be the primary use. But hiking and having to stop for ATVs and dodging horse manure and crazy paths going straight up or down a steep hill is not my idea of a trail worth visiting.
Other telltale signs there are issues with this park:
- There is almost no signage leading up to the park from the south. I saw one small sign in the last 20 miles.
- The individual working the entrance said they had never hiked any of the trails when I asked for advice. Same when I called a few days earlier.
- Some of the roads were closed but the individual at the entrance was not able to tell me what trails might be closed as a result.
Based on my experience, this is a resource that's fine if you live 20-30 miles away at most and aren't hiking. As a destination from Kansas City or Lincoln for day hiking or backpacking? Not worth the effort. I will not return. read more