Topeka Locals Discover 7 Hidden Nature Walks Tourists Never Find

Locals in Topeka have increased use of unmarked paths along the Kansas River in North Topeka this summer, with the Shawnee County Parks Department reporting a 30 percent rise in trail permits issued since May 2026.

The trend reflects broader interest in outdoor activity amid Topeka's established wellness programs, including free community fitness classes offered through the city's Parks and Recreation division. These hidden walks provide residents with shaded routes that stay cooler during July heat and connect directly to neighborhood streets without passing through main attractions like the Topeka Zoo.

Two routes drawing steady local traffic

One favored stretch begins at the end of NE Seward Avenue and follows an informal riverbank path for 1.8 miles toward the old Santa Fe rail bridge, where runners and walkers from the Oakland neighborhood meet most mornings. Another option sits behind the Ward-Meade Historic Site on NW Lyman Road, where a 2.3-mile loop through cottonwood stands stays largely empty except for residents who access it via the adjacent residential streets. Both routes are maintained by Shawnee County crews but receive no signage aimed at out-of-town visitors.

The Shunga Trail extension, added in 2022, now covers 4.7 additional miles of secondary spurs that connect these areas, according to county records. Entry remains free, though participants in the county's annual Trail Ambassador program pay a $25 registration fee that covers group-led outings on the first Saturday of each month.

Walkers should download the Shawnee County Parks map from the department website before heading out and carry water, as the river paths have no restrooms between NE Seward Avenue and the bridge crossing. Local groups recommend starting before 8 a.m. to avoid afternoon temperatures that regularly exceed 90 degrees in July.