lehigh portland state park

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Experience The Lofts in Iola is the ideal spot to explore Lehigh Portland State Park

If there’s something better after hours on the trail than a giant jacuzzi tub, I’ve yet to find it.

Since we finished the research for the first edition of the Kansas Trail Guide: The Best Hiking, Biking, and Riding in the Sunflower State back in 2014, Kansas has added an impressive amount of new trails, which is the reason we’re putting in the legwork to get you the latest details on Kansas’ new trails for a second edition. And so far in our research, one definite standout set of trails are the ones right outside of Iola in southeast Kansas. Clearly we weren’t the only ones impressed by what’s going on there; the state of Kansas made Lehigh Portland State Park into Kansas’ newest state park.

It’s under a 2-hour drive from Kansas City and about 2 hours from Wichita, though whichever direction you’re coming from, the drive is going to be worth it. The drive or the bike ride — Iola is also a main trailhead two rail trails — the Prairie Spirit Trail that runs for 52 miles north to Ottawa and the Southwind Rail Trail that takes you south 6.5 miles to Humboldt — I mean, there’s a reason that Iola was voted Kansas Trail Guide town of the year in 2017.

If you’re planning a visit to check out the 14+ miles of trails just south of Iola, I’d highly recommend making a weekend of it. You could see a lot of cool stuff there in a day, but staying overnight gives you a chance to get out on the trails early as well as check out the area and get a chance to relax. At some point when the state park infrastructure is built up, there will be camping at Lehigh Portland State Park.

But until then, and even then, for those who prefer their overnights in a comfy bed with all the amenities of home, I’d highly recommend a stay at Experience The Lofts. *Full disclosure, my visit there was hosted, but that in no way impacts how awesome I found this place!*

Experience The Lofts is right on Iola Square — the largest courthouse square in America — in a renovated historic building, less than a 10-minute drive and about a 15-minute bike ride from the state park trails.  They have 11 different loft suites to choose from, named after major players in Iola’s history, and they all have full kitchens, Roku TV, free WiFi, and BONUS! free snacks.

The beds are comfy, the bathroom is stocked with all necessary toiletries, and the full kitchen means it’s easy to feel at home. It’s contactless check-in; you’ll get key codes as the way to get into the doors from the street and then the door to your loft / suite. And if you need anything, help is just a text away. As an FYI: it is a somewhat steep flight of stairs to get up to the lofts, so keep that in mind.

You basically have your own personal apartment at Experience The Lofts, and there are options for pretty much every group size, whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with a group. I got a chance to stay in The Beck Suite with its two bedrooms complete with king size beds, full size kitchen, living room with picture windows overlooking the square, walk-in shower, and a jacuzzi tub — the perfect way to relax after spending time at the state park.

If you’re out for multiple days on the trail, you don’t even have to pack extra clothes if you don’t want to — there’s laundry right on-site.

Staying at Experience The Lofts feels like being a part of the revitalization of Iola. Plus, it’s super convenient to check out Lehigh Portland State Park’s fantastic trail system. 

If you go:
From $120/night
1 E Madison Avenue
Iola, KS 66749
tel: 620-365-1785, email: tcsparks106@gmail.com

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Lehigh Portland State Park – Kansas’ newest state park

While the state park infrastructure of Lehigh Portland State Park isn’t built up yet, the beautiful Lehigh Portland trails south of Iola are open for business, and they are definitely well worth a visit (or two or three) whether you’re on foot or riding a bike!

View from the South Loop

It’s hard to pinpoint just what it is that makes the place so special. It could be the views out from the bluffs over the spring-fed quarry lake, which is super clear. It could be the well-maintained trails that run through stretches of tall prairie grasses or through hardwood forest and offer something to everyone, whether you want to spend a full day exploring or just take out a picnic lunch. It could be the passion that those who’ve helped build the park into what it is today and the vision that they have for its future. All I know is that I can’t wait to go back and visit again.

A quick history of how we got here. On April 19, 2023, Governor Laura Kelly established Kansas’ 28th state park — the Lehigh Portland State Park in Iola. 

It’s on the site of what was once the largest cement plant in the United States – the Iola Portland Cement Company, according to Lehigh Trails. That company was bought by the Lehigh Portland Cement Company in 1917, which operated there until 1970. From there, Iola Industries Inc. purchased the land and buildings. In 2016, the trail system was officially opened, and over 50 years since the original purchase, Iola Industries donated 360 acres of land to state of Kansas to make it into a state park.

Kansas basically got a turnkey park when it comes to the Lehigh Portland State Park, Lisse Regehr, President and CEO for Thrive Allen County, explained to us. Regehr said that “over a million dollars of infrastructure and volunteer hours have gone into creating the trail system.” And while there is plenty of work for the state to do in terms of building up infrastructure, the trail system is pretty much finished, thanks in large part to hundreds of volunteer hours.

And those trails are outstanding! They are primarily on the eastern and western side of the spring-fed quarry lake. There’s a combination of a few miles of wide gravel trail and many more miles of singletrack, ideal for mountain biking. There’s also a range of difficulties. If you’re starting out on a mountain bike or have kids, the Foundations Trail is perfect. If you want something with a challenge, try Cave Trail North, Mountain Goats, and Goat Creek. The 11-feet-wide gravel Backbone trail connects all the trails, and there’s a connector gravel trail to the nearby Southwind Rail Trail that runs from Iola to Humboldt. Here’s a full trail map.

The view from John Brown’s Cave

Some of the standout options include the South Loop, which winds through the trees, through the prairie, and along the quarry with some stunning views of the lake. And Cave Trail South leads you right by John Brown’s Cave. While Regehr said there’s not necessarily specific evidence that THE John Brown ever stayed there, there’s no proof that he didn’t. (More on John Brown’s Cave in a later post). And one of the sweetest, and most unexpected trails, is the John Robert Cross Country Ski Memorial along the Backbone Trail. It has to do with a first date and a fun-loving grant writer – more on that soon.

The trails are free to access, and there’s not currently (as of this writing) a fee to park your car at the trailheads, but as the state park designation moves forward, there is a parking fee at state parks. It will be free to walk into or ride your bike into the park, and the park is easily accessible from the town of Iola.  

Regehr explained what some of the upcoming plans and goals are for the state park, and they are impressive. There will be an expansion of the Backbone Trail so that it runs all the way around the lake. There will be an amphitheater, a large swimming beach, kayak and paddleboard dock, fishing docks, a boardwalk, restrooms, a multi-story visitors center with views out over the lake. And if you want to stay at the park, there will eventually be RV and primitive campsites and perhaps someday, floating cabins. I can’t imagine a more idyllic setting than being able to watch the sunrise and sunset from on the water itself. 

For now, if you’re looking to explore Iola, there are some amazing lofts you can stay in downtown, and there’s Base Camp in Humboldt for camping – more on both of those as well!

Governor Kelly Signs Bill Establishing New State Park in Allen County
Governor Kelly Signs Bill Establishing New State Park in Allen County