Perry Lake Trail

Perry Lake, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Jefferson County, north of Lawrence)

The Perry Lake Trail loops for about 29 miles around the east side of Perry Lake, north of Lawrence. The Corps of Engineers calls it “renowned for its rugged terrain,” and both Kansas City Hiker and a 2026 U.S. Army feature call the area the “Little Ozarks.” It was certified as a National Recreation Trail in 1977, and volunteers with the Kansas Trails Council help maintain it.

Camping on the trail itself isn’t allowed, according to Wikipedia and Kansas City Hiker. A backpacking trip here means hiking between the Corps campgrounds the loop passes.

The hike

Kansas City Hiker starts at the Old Military Trailhead on Ferguson Road, about an hour from downtown Kansas City, and warns that a gated asphalt road at the entrance is not the trail; look for the trail sign. The guide counts “more than 2,000 feet” of total climbing on the full loop, and says “the northern end of the trail, accessed by the Old Military Trailhead, is known for its steep inclines.” Recreation.gov’s Longview listing describes the same pattern: “easy, gentle slopes in the south to rugged, varying elevation changes in the north.”

The name comes from history. The NRT database says the trail “traverses much of the historic Old Military trail from Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Riley.” It describes the route as about 55 percent oak-hickory woodland and 45 percent native grassland, with elevations between about 890 and 1,025 feet. A June 2026 U.S. Army feature mentions “breathtaking panoramic views of the Delaware Valley.”

Wikipedia notes that about four miles of the loop follow dirt roads between trail sections. A 2012 Compulsive Hiker guide called some sections “very nice” but warned that the map may be out of date because of reroutes, so carry a current Corps map.

The loop passes campgrounds that make natural stopping points. Slough Creek, which Recreation.gov calls “the largest and most popular recreation area at the lake,” has a trailhead on site, with the shorter Thunder Ridge Trail just outside its gate. Longview, eight miles north of Perry on Ferguson Road, has a lower loop of primitive group camping and an upper loop with hydrants. Kansas City Hiker suggests making shorter out-and-backs or leaving the loop at campsites that cross the trail.

Wildlife on the route, per Wikipedia, includes bald eagles, hawks, deer, and wild turkey. For a rockier, more remote Corps trail in southeast Kansas, see the Elk River Hiking Trail. For a short overnight at nearby Clinton Lake with campsites right on the trail, see Woodridge Park.

Tips

Hike in the cooler months. Kansas City Hiker recommends fall, winter, and spring to avoid ticks, bugs, and poison ivy; Wikipedia warns of spider webs and ticks from April through September.
Book campground sites ahead where Recreation.gov takes reservations.
No bikes. Kansas City Hiker says bikes are prohibited on this trail; mountain bike trails are on the lake’s west side.
Leashed dogs are allowed, per Kansas City Hiker.
Bring local firewood. Slough Creek allows only firewood from Jefferson County, according to Recreation.gov.
Check gate hours. Slough Creek’s gates close 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and through holiday weekends.

Camping

Plan each night at a Corps campground on the route. Slough Creek has 174 reservable sites, from walk-in tent sites to full hookups, and Longview has a lower primitive group camping loop and 26 electric sites, according to Recreation.gov. Stays are limited to 14 days. Wikipedia also lists an Old Military Trail Campground. Call the Perry Lake office at (785) 597-5144 to confirm which campgrounds are open and where backpackers can stay.

Inside Intel: We didn’t find camper accounts recommending a particular site for backpackers on this loop. Slough Creek’s walk-in tent sites and its on-site trailhead make it the most obvious overnight stop described in the sources.

Trail facts

Distance: About 29 miles (sources range from 28 to 30)
Route type: Loop, with about four miles on dirt roads
Difficulty: Strenuous in the north; easier in the south
Elevation: More than 2,000 feet of total gain (Kansas City Hiker)
Campsites: Corps campgrounds only (Slough Creek, Longview, and possibly Old Military Trail)
Water: At campgrounds; none found on the trail
Permits: None found for hiking; campground reservations through Recreation.gov
Trailheads: Old Military Trailhead on Ferguson Road; Slough Creek
Managing agency: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Perry Lake, (785) 597-5144
Last verified: October 7, 2026

The Lowdown

Hot coffee after the Little Ozarks climbs:

Perry Lake's steep northern miles are best hiked in the cold months, when a quick boil at the campground matters most. See the stoves testers like.

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Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.