SUNFLOWER CHAPTER
As the first regional chapter founded in 2018, the Sunflower Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Kansas focuses its work and dedication towards several public areas that have equestrian access including Clinton Lake, Pomona Lake, Perry Lake, Landon Trail, and Melvern Lake (Eisenhower State Park).
2024 OFFICERS
President - Dewayne Burgess, Perry State Park at Perry Lake
Vice President - Jim Thomas, Eisenhower State Park Melvern Lake(State Board Representative)
Secretary - Jamie Studebaker, Works at all of them!
Treasurer - Diana Skinner, Rockhaven Park at Clinton Lake
Sunflower Chapter By Laws
Vice President - Jim Thomas, Eisenhower State Park Melvern Lake(State Board Representative)
Secretary - Jamie Studebaker, Works at all of them!
Treasurer - Diana Skinner, Rockhaven Park at Clinton Lake
Sunflower Chapter By Laws
CLINTON LAKE - ROCKHAVEN PARK
TRAILS
Approximately 50 mile trail system along the south shore of Clinton Lake, with an official trail head in Rockhaven Equestrian Park. Trails are open to both hikers and equestrians; camping is allowed only at Rockhaven Park in designated camping areas. Upper blue trails are rockier and have steeper hills; middle yellow trails are generally more level with fewer rocks; lower orange trails are mostly gone due to high water levels of 2019. West beyond Bradley Pass and crossing Douglas County Road 458 are 15-20 miles of trails which cross onto land leased by Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism for hunting. These trails are closed to riding during rifle season, November 1 through January 31.
CAMPGROUND
Rockhaven Horse Camp has 24 campsites (11 with electric) most of which are double sites, hitching posts, 52 corrals located at each site, 2 wash bays, 4-unit shower/toilet building and 5 water hydrants available throughout camp. New shelter house and playground. Campground is open April 1-November 30. Sites must be reserved through recreation.gov. Trail maps are available from the Camp Host. Day Use Parking with vault toilet open year round for trail access.
LOCATION
Rockhaven Horse Camp is within 15 minutes of I-70 to the north and within 30 minutes of I-35 to the east or south and is just 10 minutes southwest of Lawrence, Kansas.
Approximately 50 mile trail system along the south shore of Clinton Lake, with an official trail head in Rockhaven Equestrian Park. Trails are open to both hikers and equestrians; camping is allowed only at Rockhaven Park in designated camping areas. Upper blue trails are rockier and have steeper hills; middle yellow trails are generally more level with fewer rocks; lower orange trails are mostly gone due to high water levels of 2019. West beyond Bradley Pass and crossing Douglas County Road 458 are 15-20 miles of trails which cross onto land leased by Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism for hunting. These trails are closed to riding during rifle season, November 1 through January 31.
CAMPGROUND
Rockhaven Horse Camp has 24 campsites (11 with electric) most of which are double sites, hitching posts, 52 corrals located at each site, 2 wash bays, 4-unit shower/toilet building and 5 water hydrants available throughout camp. New shelter house and playground. Campground is open April 1-November 30. Sites must be reserved through recreation.gov. Trail maps are available from the Camp Host. Day Use Parking with vault toilet open year round for trail access.
LOCATION
Rockhaven Horse Camp is within 15 minutes of I-70 to the north and within 30 minutes of I-35 to the east or south and is just 10 minutes southwest of Lawrence, Kansas.
MELVERN LAKE - EISENHOWER STATE PARK
TRAILS
Approximately 25 miles of trails on the north side of the lake. Trail system includes a blue trail with about 11 miles following lakeshore or park boundaries through wooded areas and across a few wet weather creeks. Orange trail crosses three creek areas and circles the center of park over hills for about a 6 mile round trip. Yellow trails provide alternate routes through wooded areas or shortcuts between trails. Orange trail is mowed and easy to follow. Blue and yellow trails are mowed where accessible and are well marked. Crooked Knee trails contain scenic views, lake accessibility, several wooded trails and some rocky areas but are fairly easy.
CAMPING
West Point Equestrian Camp includes shelter house and 15 camping pads with water and electric hookups and designated pipe corral. Additional corrals are available for overflow or for those renting nearby cabins or yurts and may be reserved through the office. Water hydrants, wash bay and three manure bunkers are centrally located. Shower/restroom located just west of the equestrian camp area. Primitive camping/day parking at Cowboy Camp which includes horse ties, campfire rings, picnic tables, two water hydrants, two pipe corrals and lake access. Paved parking lot at Crooked Knee Trailhead available for day use parking. Trail maps are available at the park office or Ike’s store. Contact Park Office at 785-528-4102 or emil [email protected] or visit ksoutdoor.com,
LOCATION
Eisenhower State Park is located 15 minutes north of I-35/Highway 75 junction.
Approximately 25 miles of trails on the north side of the lake. Trail system includes a blue trail with about 11 miles following lakeshore or park boundaries through wooded areas and across a few wet weather creeks. Orange trail crosses three creek areas and circles the center of park over hills for about a 6 mile round trip. Yellow trails provide alternate routes through wooded areas or shortcuts between trails. Orange trail is mowed and easy to follow. Blue and yellow trails are mowed where accessible and are well marked. Crooked Knee trails contain scenic views, lake accessibility, several wooded trails and some rocky areas but are fairly easy.
CAMPING
West Point Equestrian Camp includes shelter house and 15 camping pads with water and electric hookups and designated pipe corral. Additional corrals are available for overflow or for those renting nearby cabins or yurts and may be reserved through the office. Water hydrants, wash bay and three manure bunkers are centrally located. Shower/restroom located just west of the equestrian camp area. Primitive camping/day parking at Cowboy Camp which includes horse ties, campfire rings, picnic tables, two water hydrants, two pipe corrals and lake access. Paved parking lot at Crooked Knee Trailhead available for day use parking. Trail maps are available at the park office or Ike’s store. Contact Park Office at 785-528-4102 or emil [email protected] or visit ksoutdoor.com,
LOCATION
Eisenhower State Park is located 15 minutes north of I-35/Highway 75 junction.
PERRY LAKE - EQUESTRIAN TRAILS
TRAILS
Featuring 40+ miles of beautiful wooded and open meadow horse trails with lake views. The Wild Horse campground has 16 improved camping sites with horse pens. Lots of primitive camping with some horse pens is available as well. Perry State Park Horse Trails offer you many different riding options and a great diversity of trails. Trails are easy to moderate. There are some rocky areas on the trail so shoes on horses are advised.
Over 40 miles of trails in the two trail systems. Perry State Park offers many riding options and a great diversity of easy to moderate trails. Some areas are rocky, shoes on horses are advised. There are three horse trail areas in the state park: Wild Horse Trails, Hickory Acres Horse Trails and Rocky Top Horse Trials. Thompsonville Horse Trails are located on Corps of Engineers land and do not require an entry fee. Maps and descriptions are located under “Files” on the Let’s Ride—Perry Lake Facebook page.
CAMPING
Wild Horse Campground in the state park has 16 improved campsites with 2 horse pens per site. Lots of primitive camping is available with 24 horse pens scattered throughout the area. Horse pens are 12’ x 12’. Campground amenities include shelter house, restroom and shower house and round pen. New to the campground for 2022 is an obstacle course. Camping is not allowed at the Thompsonville Trails. To make a camping reservation, contact Perry State Park at 785-246-3449.
LOCATION
Perry State Park Directions: From Highway 24 (East of Topeka or West of Lawrence) go to K-237 North. Go north 4 miles on K-237 to Perry State Park. Look for Park sign with arrow to Horse Trails. Turn left/west (just before Perry State Park Office) and go 1/10 mile to sign for Equestrian Trails. Turn left and go 3/10 mile to top of hill; turn right at first entrance (gravel road) Wild Horse Day Use Parking is on the right; continue ahead to equestrian campground.
Thompsonville Directions: From Highway 24 (East of Topeka or West of Lawrence/Perry) turn north on Thompsonville Road.
Featuring 40+ miles of beautiful wooded and open meadow horse trails with lake views. The Wild Horse campground has 16 improved camping sites with horse pens. Lots of primitive camping with some horse pens is available as well. Perry State Park Horse Trails offer you many different riding options and a great diversity of trails. Trails are easy to moderate. There are some rocky areas on the trail so shoes on horses are advised.
Over 40 miles of trails in the two trail systems. Perry State Park offers many riding options and a great diversity of easy to moderate trails. Some areas are rocky, shoes on horses are advised. There are three horse trail areas in the state park: Wild Horse Trails, Hickory Acres Horse Trails and Rocky Top Horse Trials. Thompsonville Horse Trails are located on Corps of Engineers land and do not require an entry fee. Maps and descriptions are located under “Files” on the Let’s Ride—Perry Lake Facebook page.
CAMPING
Wild Horse Campground in the state park has 16 improved campsites with 2 horse pens per site. Lots of primitive camping is available with 24 horse pens scattered throughout the area. Horse pens are 12’ x 12’. Campground amenities include shelter house, restroom and shower house and round pen. New to the campground for 2022 is an obstacle course. Camping is not allowed at the Thompsonville Trails. To make a camping reservation, contact Perry State Park at 785-246-3449.
LOCATION
Perry State Park Directions: From Highway 24 (East of Topeka or West of Lawrence) go to K-237 North. Go north 4 miles on K-237 to Perry State Park. Look for Park sign with arrow to Horse Trails. Turn left/west (just before Perry State Park Office) and go 1/10 mile to sign for Equestrian Trails. Turn left and go 3/10 mile to top of hill; turn right at first entrance (gravel road) Wild Horse Day Use Parking is on the right; continue ahead to equestrian campground.
Thompsonville Directions: From Highway 24 (East of Topeka or West of Lawrence/Perry) turn north on Thompsonville Road.
POMONA LAKE - BLACK HAWK TRAILS
TRAILS
The Black Hawk Trail begins on the NE side of Pomona Lake with the trail head located near the 110 Mile Boat Ramp. The Black Hawk Trail passes through mainly wooded, and some riparian and grassland areas and is approximately 30 miles in length. The blue trail generally follows the higher elevation government boundary line; the orange trail is a lower elevation trail near the shoreline and is subject to flooding. Trails marked with white are “condition preservation trails” that route around areas easily damaged in wet conditions and should be utilized when conditions are wet; trails or areas marked in green denote safe water access, areas flagged with yellow indicate areas in need of repair and could be dangerous. The trail is marked with painted posts or stakes where it crosses meadows, and with colored ribbons or colored metal markers in wooded areas.
CAMPING
Public primitive equestrian campsites are located in Cedar Park at no charge and include 7 campsites, 6 corrals, fire rings and a pit toilet. Cedar Park campers and trail users will need to bring water, as this is a primitive campground. Day parking is available near the Black Hawk trailhead located near the 110 Mile Boat Ramp, the parking lot east of the Cedar Park equestrian campsites and near the intersection of 197th and Berryton Road (from Hwy 75, go east on 189th, south on Berryton Road). Blackhawk Horse Camp LLC is located at 20559 S Paulen Rd (GPS is not always correct so call for directions) this is one road east of Cedar Park along the trail and offers campsites with electric/water hookups, pens with nearby water access, shade canopies, fire rings, picnic tables, round pen, youth play area and obstacle course. Privately Owned and Secure campground. Requires advance reservation/inquiry by calling 785-806-3121, emailing [email protected] or visitng Blackhawk Horse Camp website.
The Black Hawk Trail begins on the NE side of Pomona Lake with the trail head located near the 110 Mile Boat Ramp. The Black Hawk Trail passes through mainly wooded, and some riparian and grassland areas and is approximately 30 miles in length. The blue trail generally follows the higher elevation government boundary line; the orange trail is a lower elevation trail near the shoreline and is subject to flooding. Trails marked with white are “condition preservation trails” that route around areas easily damaged in wet conditions and should be utilized when conditions are wet; trails or areas marked in green denote safe water access, areas flagged with yellow indicate areas in need of repair and could be dangerous. The trail is marked with painted posts or stakes where it crosses meadows, and with colored ribbons or colored metal markers in wooded areas.
CAMPING
Public primitive equestrian campsites are located in Cedar Park at no charge and include 7 campsites, 6 corrals, fire rings and a pit toilet. Cedar Park campers and trail users will need to bring water, as this is a primitive campground. Day parking is available near the Black Hawk trailhead located near the 110 Mile Boat Ramp, the parking lot east of the Cedar Park equestrian campsites and near the intersection of 197th and Berryton Road (from Hwy 75, go east on 189th, south on Berryton Road). Blackhawk Horse Camp LLC is located at 20559 S Paulen Rd (GPS is not always correct so call for directions) this is one road east of Cedar Park along the trail and offers campsites with electric/water hookups, pens with nearby water access, shade canopies, fire rings, picnic tables, round pen, youth play area and obstacle course. Privately Owned and Secure campground. Requires advance reservation/inquiry by calling 785-806-3121, emailing [email protected] or visitng Blackhawk Horse Camp website.
FLINT HILLS TRAIL
TRAILS
The Flint Hills Trail stretches 117 miles across east-central Kansas, from Osawatomie in the east to Herington in the west, and passes through Rantoul, Ottawa, Pomona, Vassar, Osage City, Miller, Admire, Allen, Bushong and Council Grove. Currently, the trail is open for 94 miles from near Osawatomie to Council Grove. The trail crosses the beautiful Flint Hills, which represents one of the last remaining tallgrass prairie ecosystems in the world. It follows the general route of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail and forms a component of the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail. There are places, mostly in towns, where equestrian use is prohibited. Also, a very active railway runs adjacent to the trail for several miles west of Ottawa.
PARKING
Parking is available at Rantoul, Pomona, Vassar, Admire, Bushong and Council Grove. For information, or to apply for a Special Events Permit, contact 785-448-2627 or visit ksoutdoors.com. The park is administered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.
CAMPING
Equestrian camping is available at Salt Creek Ranch south of Vassar. Contact at 785-215-2296 or 785-215-4708 or email [email protected].
The Flint Hills Trail stretches 117 miles across east-central Kansas, from Osawatomie in the east to Herington in the west, and passes through Rantoul, Ottawa, Pomona, Vassar, Osage City, Miller, Admire, Allen, Bushong and Council Grove. Currently, the trail is open for 94 miles from near Osawatomie to Council Grove. The trail crosses the beautiful Flint Hills, which represents one of the last remaining tallgrass prairie ecosystems in the world. It follows the general route of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail and forms a component of the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail. There are places, mostly in towns, where equestrian use is prohibited. Also, a very active railway runs adjacent to the trail for several miles west of Ottawa.
PARKING
Parking is available at Rantoul, Pomona, Vassar, Admire, Bushong and Council Grove. For information, or to apply for a Special Events Permit, contact 785-448-2627 or visit ksoutdoors.com. The park is administered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.
CAMPING
Equestrian camping is available at Salt Creek Ranch south of Vassar. Contact at 785-215-2296 or 785-215-4708 or email [email protected].
LANDON TRAIL
TRAILS
The 38-mile Landon Trail is on the former Missouri-Pacific Railroad linking Topeka’s Shunga Trail south to Lomas Junction and to the 117-mile Flint Hills Trail just east of Pomona Lake in Osage County. This historic trail corridor is being developed as a trail open to the public for non-motorized use. Visitors are invited to enjoy hiking, biking, running and horseback riding. The trail will be the only recreational trail in America to link the Oregon National Historic Trail with the Santa Fe National Historic Trail.
The trail passes by two wetlands teeming with waterfowl and native tallgrass prairie blooming with wildflowers. It crosses the Santa Fe Trail north of Overbrook and near its southern terminus at Lomas lies a historic 240-feet-long steel truss bridge over 110 Mile Creek. The Kanza Rails-Trails Conservancy continues to build and maintain the trail, which is open to equestrian use.
PARKING
In Topeka: 53rd Street between Hwy 75 and SE Adams Street in Topeka
In Overbrook: on south side of the Co-op.
LOCATION
The trail is currently open from Topeka south to Shadden Road, then from Overbrook south six miles to Michigan Valley. For more information and current maps showing open sections of trail, visit Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy website or follow on Facebook,
The 38-mile Landon Trail is on the former Missouri-Pacific Railroad linking Topeka’s Shunga Trail south to Lomas Junction and to the 117-mile Flint Hills Trail just east of Pomona Lake in Osage County. This historic trail corridor is being developed as a trail open to the public for non-motorized use. Visitors are invited to enjoy hiking, biking, running and horseback riding. The trail will be the only recreational trail in America to link the Oregon National Historic Trail with the Santa Fe National Historic Trail.
The trail passes by two wetlands teeming with waterfowl and native tallgrass prairie blooming with wildflowers. It crosses the Santa Fe Trail north of Overbrook and near its southern terminus at Lomas lies a historic 240-feet-long steel truss bridge over 110 Mile Creek. The Kanza Rails-Trails Conservancy continues to build and maintain the trail, which is open to equestrian use.
PARKING
In Topeka: 53rd Street between Hwy 75 and SE Adams Street in Topeka
In Overbrook: on south side of the Co-op.
LOCATION
The trail is currently open from Topeka south to Shadden Road, then from Overbrook south six miles to Michigan Valley. For more information and current maps showing open sections of trail, visit Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy website or follow on Facebook,