Did you know we’ve got plenty of caves in Kansas? We may be better known for our weird and wacky rock formations, like those at the mighty Chalk Pyramids or Mushroom Rock State Park, but there are lots of cool caves here, too. If you’re a big fan of them, you’ll definitely want to check out this day trip to several great caves in the central Kansas area. It’s a great way to explore some of the prettiest areas of the state, all in one 15,000-acre state park: Kanopolis State Park in Ellsworth County.
The underrated Kanopolis State Park is tucked away at just about the dead-center point of Kansas. It was actually the first state park to be designated in the Sunflower State. There are quite a few caves inside and around the park.
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The park is nestled in the beautiful Smoky Hills region, so you’ll find a gently rolling landscape perfect for hiking or horseback riding.
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You’ll also find plenty of caves! Caves are probably not the first type of landscape that comes to mind when you think of Kansas, but we have many thanks to our history of limestone mining.
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The Faris Caves are some of the park’s best-known caves. This series of three man-made caves were excavated back in the 1880s.
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The three caves are each about 12 feet by 12 feet, and they’ve served various purposes through the years. Before the advent of refrigeration, they were used to store food, and they even served as classrooms in a rural schoolhouse.
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You can access the Faris Caves via a marked trail from the park, but note that the area can get quite buggy, so make sure to bring insect repellent!
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These caves in Kansas are a great monument to Sunflower State history, as well as a reminder that we have a surprisingly varied landscape here.
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For more information about Kanopolis State Park in Kansas, check out the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website.
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Have you ever seen any of the caves at Kanopolis State Park? Share your experiences in the comments!
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Address: Kanopolis Lake State Park, 200 Horsethief Rd, Marquette, KS 67464, USA
