Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near McPherson, Kansas

This route will take you through some of the beautiful and unique landscapes of central Kansas, combining scenic drives with opportunities to explore natural and historical sites. It consists primarily of gravel roads, with a few being dirt and low-maintenance, so be sure to keep an eye on the weath...
Learn more about Explorers Trail

This well-maintained gravel road follows along the Big Salt Marsh in Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. It consists of around 22,000 acres of a rare inland salt marsh and sand prairie. The area is used by over 300 species of migratory and resident birds and waterfowl. You will see plenty of wildlife,...
Learn more about Big Salt Marsh Road

This trail features well-maintained gravel road with a few narrow bridges. On the north end, there is a small section of maintained dirt road that can get muddy after rain. This trail goes through the heart of the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. Here you will see lots of wildlife, including deer, ...
Learn more about Little Salt Marsh Road

This trail is a broad, well-maintained gravel road that runs alongside railway tracks for much of the way. It's easy to pick up speed here, but it's worth slowing down as the route is shared with local farm traffic. The trail crosses several small bridges and winds through farmland and rolling hills...
Learn more about Old Highway 50

This wide and mostly well-maintained trail has a gravel surface that can become muddy and slippery in wet conditions. There are patches of corrugation and a few potholes to watch out for. The route winds past farms and gently rolling hills, eventually linking one town to another. No formal or disper...
Learn more about RS91

This trail begins as a broad, smooth gravel road that winds past farmland, offering an easy drive at first. After crossing the interstate, the trail shifts in character--narrowing into a straight, well-maintained gravel stretch before transitioning into a winding section that can become muddy and sl...
Learn more about V Road

This trail provides access to what is the easiest entrance to the Arkansas River sandbar, making it a preferred route for those looking to reach the river without tackling extreme terrain. The trail itself is mild, with no major obstacles and only a few shallow mud holes, all of which appear to have...
Learn more about Sandy Bottom Boulevard

This trail is generally simple to navigate, making it an easy route for most 4WD vehicles. However, drivers of wider or longer wheelbase rigs should be aware of a tight turn that may require careful maneuvering to avoid brushing against trees or backing up to reposition. Throughout the trail, there ...
Learn more about Crankshaft Crack

This trail leads directly down to the Arkansas River, ending at a sandbar that can offer scenic access, if conditions allow. However, drivers should pay close attention to river levels, as high water can quickly wash over the sandbar or change its shape overnight, making it unsafe or unusable. The a...
Learn more about Test Bench Run

This trail is generally smooth with no major obstacles, making it suitable for most 4WD vehicles, including stock setups. Along the way, you’ll encounter a few mud holes, but they have solid bottoms during mapping and were not excessively deep. These muddy sections may still require cautious driving...
Learn more about Beater Boulevard

This trail is heavily overgrown, with thick weeds and brush lining both sides of the path. Much of the vegetation is covered in cockleburs, which are notorious for clinging to clothing, pets, and even soft top material on vehicles. While there are no major obstacles, the dense overgrowth makes this ...
Learn more about Shop Floor Shortcut

This trail serves primarily as an access route to some of the deepest and most notorious mud holes in the park on Champlin’s Challenge. The path itself has no major obstacles, making it easy to travel for most 4WD vehicles. However, drivers should be fully aware of what lies ahead, as once you conti...
Learn more about Brake Cleaner Bend

This short trail winds gently through an open grassy prairie, offering a peaceful and relaxed drive with no major obstacles along the way. The path is smooth and flat, making it ideal for those who want to enjoy a calm break from more challenging terrain. It provides a scenic stretch that highlights...
Learn more about Diesel Drip Drive

This is a very short connector trail that serves primarily as a bypass around a deeper mud hole found on Beater Boulevard. Rather than diving into the ruts or mud, this path offers a simple and dry alternative through open prairie terrain. The trail is mostly flat and grassy, with no major obstacles...
Learn more about Tire Shine Pass

This is primarily a mild trail, suitable for most 4WD vehicles, but it does include one brief section that demands a bit of attention. As the trail drops off a small incline, it becomes slightly off-camber and steeper for a short distance, which can unsettle vehicles with lower clearance or longer w...
Learn more about Rattle Trap Run

This trail is generally mild and offers an easy ride for most vehicles. It follows a gentle path with one section running along a small hillside, where the trail leans slightly off-camber. While this side slope may require basic attention to balance and tire placement, it is not severe enough to con...
Learn more about Tinker Trail

This trail is generally mild and easy to navigate, making it accessible to most 4WD vehicles. However, it is noticeably overgrown in several sections, with branches and brush reaching into the path. Drivers should expect potential pinstriping, especially on wider rigs or those with fresh paint. The ...
Learn more about Differential Divide

This trail is fairly simple and serves as a scenic bypass, guiding you toward a subtle overlook of the Arkansas River. It offers a peaceful ride with gentle terrain and is ideal for those looking to avoid the deeper, more challenging mud holes found on neighboring trails. The route winds through lig...
Learn more about Humvee Dumpty

This trail provides a dry, stable path that allows drivers to bypass muddy areas and reach less demanding trails. Because it stays relatively level and free of major obstacles, it’s also a convenient spot to stage vehicles, watch friends attempt the mud pits, or assist with recovery if needed. The t...
Learn more about Willys Whoops

This trail is fairly simple overall, making it a comfortable route for most 4WD vehicles. The main feature to be aware of is a small hill climb with a few exposed tree roots, which may require light throttle control and careful tire placement. Beyond that, the terrain remains mostly smooth and easy ...
Learn more about Burnout Boulevard

This trail provides access to what is the easiest entrance to the Arkansas River sandbar, making it a preferred route for those looking to reach the river without tackling extreme terrain. The trail itself is mild, with no major obstacles and only a few shallow mud holes, all of which appear to have...
Learn more about Sandy Bottom Boulevard

This trail is generally simple to navigate, making it an easy route for most 4WD vehicles. However, drivers of wider or longer wheelbase rigs should be aware of a tight turn that may require careful maneuvering to avoid brushing against trees or backing up to reposition. Throughout the trail, there ...
Learn more about Crankshaft Crack

This trail leads directly down to the Arkansas River, ending at a sandbar that can offer scenic access, if conditions allow. However, drivers should pay close attention to river levels, as high water can quickly wash over the sandbar or change its shape overnight, making it unsafe or unusable. The a...
Learn more about Test Bench Run

This trail is generally smooth with no major obstacles, making it suitable for most 4WD vehicles, including stock setups. Along the way, you’ll encounter a few mud holes, but they have solid bottoms during mapping and were not excessively deep. These muddy sections may still require cautious driving...
Learn more about Beater Boulevard