Lake Scott State Park and Wildlife Area

Listed by National Geographic's Traveler magazine as one of the country's 50 must-see state parks, Lake Scott State Park's artesian springs, deep wooded canyons and craggy bluffs make it a true oasis in Kansas' vast shortgrass prairie.

The area supports wild turkey, raccoon, beaver, muskrat and white-tailed and mule deer. Bobcat are occasionally reported.

Large numbers of songbirds are drawn to the natural springs and trees, which are so unusual in this region.

A eight-mile multi-use trail for equestrians, mountain bicyclists and hikers loops around the 100-acre spring-fed lake. An additional five to seven miles of hiking trails branch off the main path into other areas of the 1,180-acre park and wildlife area.

There is camping available year-round.

There's good fishing for crappie, bass, walleye, trout and channel catfish. Boating is allowed for fishing only. Canoes may be rented in the park. Hunting takes place in the wildlife area.

The El Cuartelejo Ruins, built by the Taos Native Americans nearly two centuries before Europeans settled the area and the northernmost pueblo in North America, is a National Historic Landmark. There's also the Steele Homestead Museum, a home preserved much as it was a century ago.