Directions:
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Description: The trail is all native and will take between 1.5 to 4 hrs to complete if all 13 miles are traveled. The trail is mostly hardpack, but does have some short sandy areas and a bit of slick rock. The majority of the trail is for intermediate riders but a separate loop, "The Rock Garden" is for experts and the "EZ loop" is for beginners. Being in a state park there is a paved road that the track crosses several times and you are never far from a bailout if needed. From the trail head, take a left for a full day of riding the three connected loops, or a right for the short EZ loop where you will eventually return to if you take a left.






reviewed by Sucio_Sanchez on May 19, 2011
If you are headed across Kansas on I-70 en route to your mountain bike vacation, you've GOT to put this place on your riding agenda. It's out in the middle of no where, but only a few minutes north of I-70. As of 2011, it costs less than $5 to enter the park and you're given access to over 20 miles of the flowiest, fastest and techy singletrack you could desire.
The builders of this trail have done an amazing job of creating what mountain bikers crave: flow, tech, scenic beauty and speed. Hats off to them for their hard work, as it looks like they've been quite busy on this trail system.
Even better, the trail is very well marked. So the first-time rider can hop on here and enjoy the ride without the worry of a matrix of intersections or the risk of getting lost.
A word of caution, this area is exposed. And I don't mean shade is rare. I mean you won't find so much as a single square foot of shade on the entire stretch unless you're under a rock. So ride smart. Don't be afraid to wear some sunblock in the summer. And, obviously, bring at least 50% more fluids than you would normally drink on a 20 mile ride in the trees. I'm sure winter riding can be pretty chilly, too, as the winds out here blow pretty steady all year. Morning & evening rides are probably you're best best.
Wilson Lake will entertain you. And if you don't walk away from this trail thinking it was well worth your time, then you will never be impressed with any trail.
And even if you live within 4 hours of Wilson Lake, don't be afraid to make an overnight road trip out of this trail with a few buddies. There is plenty of affordable lodging in nearby Russell (about 15 miles west of Wilson) as well as a really cool and fully restored hotel in Wilson called the Midland Railroad Hotel (414 26th Street, Wilson, KS 67490 ). This place beats the run-of-the-mill Super-Econo-Mega-8 type motels by far. And right across the street from the Midland Railroad Hotel is a cozy little grocery store, a liquor store and a diner....what more could you ask for?!
The town of Russell will have more of the familiar amenities us city-types are used to but even the Midland Railroad Hotel has Wi-Fi so it isn't like they're living in the dark ages or anything.
As for your bike shops, the closest shop you'll find is the Golden Belt Bicycle Company, located in Great Bend about 40 minutes away (1111 Main Street, Great Bend, KS 67530-4431 tel: (620) 793-7060).
Whether you're passing thru this area or making it an overnight roadtrip, you gotta check this place out. I came in from Kansas City and it was well worth the drive.
Here are some pics I took during a photo-hike:
http://s271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/AdrenalineImages/Wilson%20Lake%20Kansas%20Spring%202011/?albumview=slideshow
Similar Trail: Well, there isn't much else within several hours of here so not much. ;)
