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Places We Protect

Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park

Kansas

A view of Niobrara chalk formations and low scrubland from the Overlook Trail at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park in Kansas at sunset.

Explore the Kansas you never knew existed at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park.

Overview

Description

These badlands are Kansas’ most dramatic Niobrara chalk formation. They provide unique and important habitat for many plants and wildlife. Native amphibians, reptiles and birds such as ferruginous hawks and cliff swallows live here. Little Jerusalem is also home to the largest population of Great Plains wild buckwheat. This native plant is found in the chalk bluffs prairie of western Kansas and nowhere else in the world.

Long ago, this area was a great sea. In addition to the present-day wildlife, the remains of swimming and flying reptiles dating back 85 million years have been found here. Ancient giant clams and oysters are common fossils in these badlands.

The chalk outcroppings have had many names. In the late 19th century, they were said to resemble the ruins of many castles, thus “Castle City.” Some say that it got the name “Little Jerusalem” or “New Jerusalem” because from a distance it looks like the ancient walled city of Jerusalem. By the time The Nature Conservancy acquired the property, most modern-day locals and geologists knew it by the name of Little Jerusalem.

This park was also once part of the McGuire Ranch. After five generations of family ownership, it is now a park the public can hike and enjoy. Explore the trails to view the rock formations, some of which tower more than 100 feet above the nearby Smoky Hill River. From varying points along the marked trails, and in different light, you’ll find the rocks appear dramatically different.

Little Jerusalem is owned by The Nature Conservancy. TNC partnered with the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks to make portions of the area open to the public.

Reservations are not needed to hike the two permanent trails. Reservations are required for guided tours which are the only way to hike off-trail. Check the Little Jerusalem Calendar for availability, and email sarakay.carrell@ks.gov to reserve a space on a tour.

Access

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Daylight hours only. State park permit required.

Hours

Sunup to sundown daily, all year round.

Highlights

Two permanent hiking trails take you to multiple scenic overlooks at your own pace.

Size

332 acres

Explore our work in Kansas

Plan Your Visit

Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is located in Logan County in western Kansas, an equal distance from the cities of Oakley to the north and Scott City to the south. The park is open sunup to sundown daily, all year round, including holidays, with two permanent hiking trails that take you to multiple scenic overlooks at your own pace.

  • The Overlook Trail extends one-quarter mile along a crushed rock surface to a scenic viewpoint. Terrain includes loose rock surface and gentle gradients.
  • The Life on the Rocks Trail winds 1.5 miles along the rim of the rocks with multiple bends to provide a variety of views and two scenic overlooks. Terrain includes crushed rock surface and gentle gradients for all abilities for the first 2/3 mile (3,500 feet) to the first overlook; then natural surface trail with moderate slopes for the next 1/2 mile (2,766 feet) to the second overlook.

All Kansas State Park regulations apply at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. Visitors are not allowed off trail unless accompanied by park staff on a guided tour. You are welcome to take pictures of your visit, but professional or amateur photography sessions are not allowed. Drone use is prohibited at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park.

Tour & Event Schedule

Guided tours are provided by the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks. The tour and event schedule varies by season and more tours are added regularly.

Check the Little Jerusalem Calendar from KDWP. Email sarakay.carrell@ks.gov to reserve a space on a tour.

Fees

Visitors are required to purchase a daily Kansas State Parks vehicle permit, currently $5, at the park or have an annual Kansas State Parks vehicle pass.

Facilities

The only facilities at the park are two restrooms which will be closed during the freezing months. There is no potable water, so please plan accordingly. Take all trash, including pet waste, with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Basics

  • Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is located north of the intersection of County Road 400 and Gold Road in southern Logan County, Kansas.

    Driving directions to Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park:

    • Turn west on Gold Road from US Highway 83.
    • Continue on Gold Road for approximately 3.5 miles.
    • Turn north on 400 Road; continue for 1 mile.
    • Don’t forget to stop at the pay station before passing through the gates to the parking lot.

    Get directions on Google Maps.

  • About 30 minutes. Take I-70 exits 70 or 76 to Oakley, then state highway 83 south out of town. 

  • Access roads to Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park are public gravel roadways maintained by the county. There may be times when the roads are not accessible.

    The parking lot and turn-around for RVs and buses is natural surface that may also get muddy or difficult to access. There are two designated, paved handicapped parking spaces.

  • You can visit Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park from sunup to sundown daily, all year round, including holidays.

  • Mostly no. Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is only open during daylight hours. However, guided sunset hikes and night sky viewing opportunities are occasionally scheduled by the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks. Check the Little Jerusalem Calendar from KDWP for the current schedule.

  • Yes. There is room to park and turn around RVs or vehicles towing campers both inside and outside the gate. See the white area labelled Parking on the map at the bottom of this page.

  • Yes. There are two flush toilets in the parking area at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. Please note that they are sometimes closed in freezing weather or for repairs.

  • Guided tours are scheduled by the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks. The tour and event schedule varies by season and more tours are added regularly.

    Check the Little Jerusalem Calendar from KDWP.

    Reserve a space on a tour by emailing sarakay.carrell@ks.gov or calling the office at Historic Lake Scott State Park, 620-872-2061. Same day reservations are generally not available.

    For large group tours, private tours or other special tour requests, email sarakay.carrell@ks.gov.

    Reservations are not needed to hike the two designated trails.

  • Visitors are required to purchase a daily vehicle permit at the park (currently $5) or have an annual Kansas State Parks vehicle pass purchased through your county treasurer's office.

    Regularly scheduled guided tours will be free of charge.

    Daily permits can be purchased with $5 cash or check upon arrival at the pay station located just prior to the parking lot entrance gate. (Look for the large orange Rules & Regulations signs.) You may also purchase a daily pass by credit card in advance for $6 here.

    Kansas State Parks Passports are not available through The Nature Conservancy or Kansas Department of WIldlife & Parks.

  • Little Jerusalem is owned by The Nature Conservancy, a global nonprofit conservation organization. The Nature Conservancy has partnered with the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks to make portions of the area open to the public.

  • This collection of chalk outcroppings has had many names. In the late 19th century, it was said to resemble the ruins of many castles, thus “Castle City.” Some say that it got the name “Little Jerusalem” or “New Jerusalem” because from a distance it looks like the ancient walled city of Jerusalem. At the time The Nature Conservancy acquired the property, most modern-day locals and geologists knew it by the name of Little Jerusalem.

    Whatever the moniker, Little Jerusalem shouldn’t be confused with the Little Pyramids, Castle Rock or Monument Rocks which are equally distinctive Niobrara Chalk formations but which cover smaller areas of land. Please be respectful of these other landmarks that are also located on private property and not owned or managed by The Nature Conservancy.

Park Regulations

  • No, you cannot go off the trails. All visitors must stay on the designated trails unless accompanied by park staff.

    Guided tours are provided by the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks. The tour and event schedule varies by season and more tours are added regularly.

    Check the Little Jerusalem Calendar from KDWP.

    Reserve a space on a tour by emailing sarakay.carrell@ks.gov or calling the office at Historic Lake Scott State Park, 620-872-2061.

  • No, please do not keep any fossils, rocks, shark teeth, flowers, or other items from Little Jerusalem. Take nothing but pictures. Collecting of anything from the park is not allowed.

  • There is no camping at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park, as it is a day use park only. Historic Lake Scott State Park just 7 miles south offers multiple camping amenities and there are private campgrounds in nearby communities.

  • Yes, dogs are welcome at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. Dogs must be leashed at all times and cleaned up after.

  • No bicycles, UTVs, or horses are permitted. Access to Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is limited to pedestrian traffic on the designated trails. (Wheelchairs, walkers, and other assistive devices are allowed.)

  • No. Drones, or unmanned aircraft vehicles, are not allowed at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park.

  • No. Photography sessions—on or off trail—are not allowed at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. You are welcome to take photos of your visit for your own personal use, but professional and amateur photography sessions are prohibited and subject to fines. 

    Special photography permits are not available at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park.

  • No. Special event permits, such as those for weddings and reunions, are not available at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park.

In the Area

Map showing two trails that lead from the parking lot to overlook points in Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park in Kansas.
Little Jerusalem Trails There are two permanent trails from the parking lot in Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. The Overlook Trail is .25 miles and leads to one overlook point, while the Life on the Rocks Trail is 1.20 miles and leads to two overlook points.

Take a closer look at Little Jerusalem

Chalk Lily The chalk lily (Mentzelia decapetala) opens its blooms in the evening for nocturnal pollinators and closes up again before sunrise.
Ferruginous Hawk Most Ferruginous hawk nests in Kansas are found in the western chalk bluffs and along the Smoky Hill River.
Rock Formations Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is known for its iconic rock formations, which you can see from the multiple overlook points from the dedicated trails.
Niobrara Chalk Formations The iconic Niobrara chalk formations in Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park were formed 85 million years ago, when the area was covered by the Western Interior Seaway.
Cliff Swallows These cliff swallows and their mud nests are a common sight near the tops of rock formations in Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park.
Winterfat Winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata) is rare in Kansas except at Little Jerusalem. After going to seed, the 'fluffy' white shrub is valuable forage for wildlife in winters.
Pronghorn Sometimes called antelope, the pronghorn is a uniquely North American mammal that still plays on the range in western Kansas.
Rest and revel in the vastness Take a moment to stop at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. The Rockies might take your breath away, but the spacious Kansas landscape will give it back again.
× Chalk Lily The chalk lily (Mentzelia decapetala) opens its blooms in the evening for nocturnal pollinators and closes up again before sunrise. ©
× Ferruginous Hawk Most Ferruginous hawk nests in Kansas are found in the western chalk bluffs and along the Smoky Hill River. ©
× Rock Formations Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is known for its iconic rock formations, which you can see from the multiple overlook points from the dedicated trails. ©
× Niobrara Chalk Formations The iconic Niobrara chalk formations in Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park were formed 85 million years ago, when the area was covered by the Western Interior Seaway. ©
× Cliff Swallows These cliff swallows and their mud nests are a common sight near the tops of rock formations in Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. ©
× Winterfat Winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata) is rare in Kansas except at Little Jerusalem. After going to seed, the 'fluffy' white shrub is valuable forage for wildlife in winters. ©
× Pronghorn Sometimes called antelope, the pronghorn is a uniquely North American mammal that still plays on the range in western Kansas. ©
× ©
× Rest and revel in the vastness Take a moment to stop at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. The Rockies might take your breath away, but the spacious Kansas landscape will give it back again. ©