Pioneer Nature Trail

How about planning a day in the great outdoors with your fur-ever friend in the East Kansas area of the state? Hiking is a great adventure that you and your pawtastic pup will love doing together on the Pioneer Nature Trail, located here.

You can pick up the trailhead to this hiking path at the Council Grove Lake, in the city of Council Grove. This nature trail consists of two separate loops through the area, totaling 1.25 miles. Take either the ¾-mile loop which winds its way around the prairie grasses, or try the historic ½-mile loop. This shorter segment is called the Buffalo Wallow Loop and is famous because buffalo once wallowed out areas to sleep and raise their young here. These wallows can still be seen today as you explore the trail. 

The 6’ wide trail is located near the 3300-acre lake and the Neosho river. It is mostly grass-covered, level footing, perfectly comfortable for your pup’s paws. As you and Fido explore, you will experience many different species of wildlife, as well as rare wildflowers and butterflies. There are plenty of informational signs throughout the trail to educate you about the natural surroundings you will be seeing as you hike. 

The lake area itself offers other amenities, such as camping and boating. Maybe an overnight stay at the pup-friendly campsites will do much to restore and relax you both! Restrooms for the nature trail, as well as drinking fountains, can be found here.  Be sure to keep your pup-tastic friend on a leash while hiking here and clean up after them to allow this nature trail to remain pup-friendly. 

Heading to the Pioneer Nature Trail is a great option for you to put at the top of your to-do list today!