Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park was established by the Kansas Legislature in 2018. The 332-acre park encompasses 220 acres of badlands – fragile, but ruggedly spectacular geologic formations adjacent to the 17,290-acre Smoky Valley Ranch. Both properties are owned by The Nature Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy will continue to own both properties, and KDWP is partnering with The Nature Conservancy to develop and manage visitor access and use of Little Jerusalem Badlands as a state park.
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park showcases a mile-long stretch of 100-foot-tall spires and cliffs of eroded Niobrara Chalk, a layer of rock deposited about 85 million years ago. Niobrara Chalk was formed by sediment that settled at the bottom of an inland ocean called the Western Interior Seaway which covered most of central North America roughly 140 to 70 million years ago. The sediment became compressed over time, and the seaway floor was lifted by the same tectonic shifting that formed the Rocky Mountains.
The park is the largest expanse of exposed Niobrara Chalk formation in Kansas. Smaller Niobrara Chalk outcrops are commonly seen along U.S. 83 Highway between Oakley and Historic Lake Scott State Park. Monument Rocks is a well-known Niobrara Chalk landmark east of Little Jerusalem.
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is a unique, vital habitat for a variety of wildlife and plants. Ferruginous hawks nest here and rock wrens and Says’ phoebes, common in arid parts of the western U.S., keep an eye out for insects. Sharp-eyed visitors will occasionally spot small mammals, bats, lizards, snakes, toads and a variety of insects. Great Plains wild buckwheat grows only in the chalk prairies of western Kansas and the single largest population of this endemic plant is found at Little Jerusalem.
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is a fragile landscape. The Niobrara Chalk formations are soft and easily damaged by the weather and by climbing and walking on them. As a result, KDWP and The Nature Conservancy are managing visitor access to avoid harming the delicate environment. Enjoy the landscape, but leave no trace behind of your time in the park.
- Stay on the marked trails, walkways and overlooks. Only guided tours are allowed off-trail.
- Trails are for pedestrian traffic only, except for wheelchairs. No bicycles, ATVs, UTVs or horses are allowed.
- Take nothing but pictures! Fossil hunting and collecting of anything (including rocks, flowers and plants), even if found lying on the ground, are not allowed.
- Rock climbing, camping and fires are not allowed. Camping opportunities are available at Historic Lake Scott State Park, about 7 miles south.
- Guided tours into the interior are available and must be reserved in advance. Click on the events calendar icon to view the most current tour schedule days and times.
- Dogs must be on a leash and take along supplies to clean up messes.
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is a day-use park only, open from sunrise to sunset daily, all year round.
A daily vehicle permit or annual state park vehicle permit will apply. Click HERE to view state park fees. Free guided tours into the interior will be available by reservation. Click on the events calendar icon to view the most current tour schedule days and times.
A daily vehicle permit or annual state park vehicle permit is necessary to enter the park. Click HERE to view state park fees. Guided tour are available into the interior of the rock formations. Please check the events calendar for the tour schedule.
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is a day-use only park. Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is open from sunrise to sunset daily, all year round.
Click the calendar icon on the main page to view the off trail tour schedule. Off trail guided tours for the public are only available on set days and times. If you would like to request a special day and certain time for your group, special events permits are available for a fee. Please contact the Historic Lake Scott State Park for special event permits.
From the North:
From Oakley, drive approximately 22 miles south on U.S. Highway 83 to Gold Road. Turn west onto Gold Road. Drive 3.5 miles to County Road 400. Turn north on County Road 400. Drive 1 mile to entrance for Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park.
From the South:
From Scott City, drive approximately 21 miles north on U.S. Highway 83 to Gold Road. Turn west onto Gold Road. Drive 3.5 miles to County Road 400. Turn north on County Road 400. Drive 1 mile to the entrance for Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park.
On October 1, we switched to our Off-Season work schedule. This means weekend tours will not be available at this time. Tours will be available only on a weekday and those dates will be shown on the calendar! Weekend tours will resume in mid-May 2025!
**Currently, we only have cash or check options for permit payment at LJBSP! If you need a day pass to enter LJBSP, please bring exact change of $5 or a check! We DO NOT have an office at LJBSP to make change!!! If you have a KS Annual vehicle pass, you do not need a day pass!
**Permits are no longer issued for off trail photography sessions of any type. Absolutely no photography sessions are allowed on or off trail!!
**Weddings are no longer allowed at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park.
**No potable water is at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park.
Restrooms at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park may have intermittent closures. Winter is very very rough out here. Cold days, cold nights, and high winds create very low windchill values. All of these factors may force us to make short term closures to the restroom facility. Please be aware of temperatures when traveling and be aware that the restrooms may or may not be available. Also, please be aware that on occasion, we do experience temporary closures due to water supply issues. The closest stops for other restroom options are at Oakley, Scott City or Lake Scott State Park for restrooms before arriving at Little Jerusalem Badlands!
In Western Kansas, there is always a variety of weather. Please keep in mind that heavy rains, lightning, and muddy conditions will cancel the off trail hikes. We must protect our park and leave no trace!
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park does not have a drive thru option. This park offers walking trails only.
Guided hikes into the formations are available only on days listed on the calendar. The calendar is updated 3-4 weeks in advance. Click on the calendar icon to see the Off Trail Guided hike and special events activities!
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park showcases a mile-long stretch of 100-foot-tall spires and cliffs of eroded Niobrara Chalk, a layer of rock deposited about 85 million years ago. Niobrara Chalk was formed by sediment that settled at the bottom of an inland ocean called the Western Interior Seaway which covered most of central North America roughly 140 to 70 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. The sediment became compressed over time, and the seaway floor was lifted by the same tectonic shifting that formed the Rocky Mountains.
Exposed to the weather, the chalk sediment eroded into dramatic spires, cliffs and ravines over millions of years. Sand, gravel, and wind-blown silt (called loess) covering surrounding areas, and sand dunes in the Smoky Hill River valley, were deposited in the later Pleistocene (between approximately 2.6 million and 11,700 years ago) and Holocene epochs (between approximately 11,700 years ago and the present).
In 2016, The Nature Conservancy bought the tract of land that encompasses the chalk formations from private owners who stipulated that the property be protected yet opened for public viewing. The property adjoins the 17,290-acre Smoky Valley Ranch which is also owned by The Nature Conservancy.
- Trail Season: All Year
- Length of Trail: 0.5 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking
- Click for more information
- Trail Season: All Year
- Length of Trail: 2.5 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking
- Click for more information
The Nature Conservancy Website - Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park
The Nature Conservancy YouTube Video – Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park
Garden City Telegram YouTube Video - 300 Acres of Fossil Formations Revealed
Visit Oakley KS Website – Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park
During this time of COVID, we ask that you be respectful of distancing yourself from others during the hike.
Tour sizes work best with no more than 20 people. Keeps it more fun and personal!
Be prepared for rough hiking, uneven terrain, and scrambling thru grass and brush. Wear boots, bring water, a snack and a hiking stick! Please do not underestimate the terrain. Its summer and its is HOT down in the canyons. The rock formations do a great job of blocking the wind, so BE PREPARED for temperatures to be 10-15 degrees warmer on the hike in the rocks!
Winter time hiking can be very very windy and colder than expected. There is no wind break from those cold North winter winds! Come prepared with windchill blocking layers!
Hiking poles are highly recommended!
No set path is followed! So be ready for an adventure! It is an intermediate level hike/terrain. We hike at a moderate pace with stop and go to learn, talk, ask questions, and take photos. Wear boots, bring water, a snack and a hiking stick!
Rain, mud, snow, melting snow, and other acts of Mother Nature are a threat to being able to hike off trail! Please follow the weather for Scott City or Oakley to be informed! Other weather related or cancellation questions, please call our office at 620-872-2061