Kanopolis Lake State Park

This part of Kansas seems to flatten out from the Eastern section, so I didn’t expect to find much exciting here. A less dramatic version of the dam found in Manhattan exists here, and offers a waterside view. However, the real reason to visit here is the canyons.
Small, sand covered footpaths meander through small canyons, and weave across stream banks. Occasional fording may be required, depending upon the water level, although in April, we balanced across several logs at various crossings. Small caves dart the hills above, and previous visitors have carved their names, initials, and various icons into the sandstone. The sandstone itself is often worn into grooves, often resembling small slides. Follow offshoots up to the various caves, although during the season, be on the lookout for mud wasps, snakes and ticks, should you venture off path. While we were there, ticks were a problem, although the larger pests were not.
All in all, this was a welcome picturesque, intimate landscape, worth the side trip. Good for photographers and hikers.

Found myself driving across Kansas one July. Dropped into this place. The Horsethief Canyon area was pretty spectacular. Felt like something way farther out West. There’s all kinds of interesting sandstone cliffs and canyons here, and pretty decent hiking trails. Most of the canyon walls are totally covered in 100+ years of graffiti carvings. Usually not a fan of graffiti but there was something about this that was pretty cool.
Wild place, kind of weird. Suffocating heat in July even at daybreak. I don’t think I’d ever been that hot before and I was living down South at the time.
Definitely a must-​see if you’re driving through the Smoky Hills area. I had no idea what to expect, but thought that whole area was incredibly beautiful. Didn’t camp, but the lake looked like a great spot to spend the night.