Buffalo Track Canyon Nature Trail Head - Marquette, KS
Buffalo Track Canyon Nature Trail Head – A Dog-Friendly Hiking Experience near Marquette, Kansas
Explore the beauty of Kansas with your furry companions at the Buffalo Track Canyon Nature Trail Head, a popular destination for those seeking dog-friendly hiking near Marquette, KS. This pet-friendly nature spot offers scenic trails featuring sandstone bluffs, picturesque creeks, and shaded areas perfect for adventurous dogs and their owners. While not a traditional fenced dog park, this extensive trail system is loved by local dog owners looking to enjoy the outdoors together.
One highlight for dog owners is the abundance of natural shade found deeper into the park, helping keep pups cool on sunny days. The trails are clean and maintained, although some sections can become muddy, especially after rain. Remember to monitor your pup closely on the trails, as the park is home to local wildlife and the occasional snake. Ample parking is available, but trails can be confusing – bringing a map or compass is recommended for a safe and enjoyable visit with your canine friend.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, Buffalo Track Canyon Nature Trail Head offers a variety of hiking trails through scenic natural areas.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, there is significant natural shade provided by the trees and bluffs, especially further into the park.
- How busy does the park get on weekends? The parking lot can become full, but the park’s size means it doesn’t feel crowded on the trails.
- Is there parking available? Yes, there is a parking lot at the trailhead.
- Is the park muddy after it rains? Certain trails can become wet or muddy, so plan accordingly.
- Are ticks or other pests common in the area? Reviewers noted a list of local snakes at the entrance, so be cautious and check for pests after visiting.
Reviews
Short loop, amazing orange sandstone bluffs carved by a shallow creek and etched by thousands of visitors. The oldest etching I noticed was dated ‘26. Of course I assume it’s referring to 1926, but it was in the cave, perhaps it’s even a century older…?
This is a must for anyone that like to hike. The deeper you go the harder it gets, but it’s not that bad. Our son did just fine on the purple trail. We could have easily spent all day there walking everything but only spent a little over 2 hours before leaving for lunch. There are not many caves, but the ones that are there are neat. The park is clean and the deeper you get in the more shade there is. The parking lot was full, but you don’t really run into anyone since the park is so big. I highly recommend this park.
We started at Trailhead C and at first we took the wrong trail and had no idea where we were going. We ended up coming back another day and took the purple path ( footpath only), and we were able to find some caves down that trail. The trail though itself was very overgrown, and we were worried about snakes the whole time. Luckily we didn’t see any. The entrance though has a list of venomous snakes that reside here so just be on the lookout.
I was alone and planned on taking a short walk (green track). After a few minutes, i decided to hop on to another coloured track as the green one was too wet. Unfortunately i got lost as the tracks meet together and split again. I was there for 3 hours and had no water. I had to cross two creeks and one was up to my waist deep. Unfortunately, i couldn’t get any GPS to work on my phone so it was quite a bad experience in such a beautiful place. I arrived back with the help of two fishermen who gave me water and guided me back to the carpark. I am normally very careful of not taking silly risks, but this time, i won the crown and walked 8 miles. Please watch out and be sure you have good orientation. I read a previous comment to advice to bring a compass. Enjoy!
My family really enjoyed this hike. We only found 1 cave and were a little confused which trail we were actually on even with the map, but we had a good time & made it back to the parking lot. My brother and I managed to do it with 1.5 & 2.5 year olds on our shoulders. Beautiful scenery & and fun challenge crossing the creeks.