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Sand
Hills State Park
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View from the top of a dune.
- All photos by Jim Mason |
More sand than many deserts! Located on the north edge of the
Hutchinson Dune Tract, Sand Hills State Park is a rolling sand prairie displaying hues of
red, yellow, gray, lavender, and green. Dunes formed by wind-deposited sands from the
Arkansas River at the end of the Ice Age have been stabilized by the roots of the sand
prairie grasses. |
Dominant grass species include big sandreed, which quickly colonizes
loose sands and allows the establishment of sand bluestem, sand dropseed, little bluestem,
and switchgrass. The sloughs and marshes are filled with sedges, rushes, and prairie
cordgrass. Between the grasses grow thickets of woody shrubs, most abundant of
which is the Sandhill Plum. Poison Ivy is also abundant here! Those who are
not immune to it had best stay on the mowed trails. You can also find a wide variety
of wildflowers. Springtime may reveal yellow star grass, puccoon, Buckley's penstemon,
purple poppy mallow and goatsbeard. In September look for blue lobelia, swamp
milkweed, and ladies-tresses orchid.
To get a feel for the park, take one of the hiking trails through the
dunes. There are three entry points (see map below). Trail user fees may be paid at
the self-pay stations.
| The Pond Trail, which begins at parking lot 2, takes you to this
unexpected water feature deep in the park's interior. Watch for many different types
of ducks during migration including divers such as common mergansers. Green herons
and Canada geese may be seen during summer. |
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In April and May listen for the music of the western chorus frogs.
The Woodland trail is a good place to find bluebirds and blue grosbeaks. Deer,
coyotes, owls, and hawks are common residents of the park. Nesting birds include orchard
orioles, yellow-billed cuckoos, Bell's vireos, and mourning doves. From late spring
to early fall watch for several kinds of lizards. You probably will see badger holes
and the little mounds of the plains pocket gopher. Be alert for quail and pheasant.
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For some in-depth information on the local flora and fauna, take the
Cottonwood Interpretive Trail, which begins at parking lot 1 (see map below).
Brochures are available at the kiosk at the parking lot.
The trail stays mostly in the
woods, making it a cool choice for a hot day! |
 | Trail user fees, Pit toilets.
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 Camping not
allowed.
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Interpretive:
Cottonwood Trail (0.5 mile loop, starts at parking lot 1)
Hiking: Prairie Trail (1.9 miles loop) &
Dune Trail (1.0 mile loop)
Horseback riding & multi-use: Pond trail
(1.5 miles), Bluestem Spur Trail (1.2 miles), Tallgrass Trail (2.2 miles loop), Woodland
Trail (2.2 miles loop) & Rolling Hills Trail (3.8 miles loop)
Click the icon to find a birding list for Reno County.
Click the icon to locate nearby Geocaches
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Directions: To
reach the south parking lot of the park, take K-61 northeast of Hutchinson to 56th Street.
Go east 0.3 miles (#3). Two parking lots are on 69th Street (#'s 1 & 2). Horse
access gates are marked with the letter "H".
For a Google Map of this site,
click here. |
Ownership:
The entity responsible for management of this site is
the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks
& Tourism.
Contact them at (316) 683-8069 if you have
specific questions about use or management of this site.
Click
here to visit the KDWPT website for Sand Hills State Park.
1,123 acres
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Funded by the
Chickadee Checkoff Program
Click here for a brochure! |
The Natural
Kansas web site
© 2011
by
the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks
& Tourism.
Re-publication of site content in any form other than for personal use
requires written permission. If you are a Kansas resident, please
assist with this and other wildlife viewing and conservation programs
by contributing to the Chickadee Checkoff on your state tax form. |
Questions or comments about Natural Kansas may be directed to
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism
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