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Print Friendly MapThe Prairie Sunset Trail is located west of Wichita and runs between S. 295th Street in Garden Plain and S.Hoover Rd. The trail is pretty straight, occupying a portion of the old rail bed that once carried the Cannonball Stage Line, although there is a park loop in Goddard. The trail passes through a wooded corridor traveling through farmland and by ponds and creeks. The trail surface is primarily crushed limestone with some pavement. Food services are limited near the trail, but there’s a lovely park at Goddard with restroom and picnic facilities.
Parking can be found near the western endpoint at Garden Plain Park in Garden Plain. In Goddard, there's a small parking lot near the trail along W. Santa Fe Street near N. Main St. There are also restrooms and drinking fountains. Parking is also available at 1600 S 111th St. W.
I parked in Goddard after reading the previous reviews since it sounded like it had the most to offer. Beautiful park with real bathrooms and a pavilion to relax afterwards. I loved the crushed limestone, it’s easier on the joints. There were a lot of trees for shade earlier in the morning. But later in the day less canopy I’d suspect gets worse. There were so many friendly folks riding, running, walking dogs etc. I highly recommend this one.
This was our first trail ride and we have ridden two sections with our city commuter type bicycles. Both were nice rides. First section was starting at Hoover Road going west. We found convenient parking at a nearby empty business lot. The trail was an easy smooth ride until we got near maize road where the trail intersects the Air Cap memorial park single track area which was rougher ride and we became completely confused where it comes close to Pawnee Prairie park and lost the trail. We could possibly have taken city streets to continue to Maize road but decided to go back instead. Next time we went out to Goddard KS where there is a very nice city park with convenient parking and rode East. Goddard does a very good job maintaining this section of the trail which was shaded and quiet and more like a ride in the country. We rode 4 miles east and then returned. The gravel was smooth and easy to ride on. However we found out going east on this section is a deceptive gradual down hill slope so the return was more of a struggle going up hill. Hope to return to Goddard again and make it all the way to maize road plus eventually ride west from Goddard on that section. We really enjoyed not having to fight with city traffic on the streets and the related traffic noise. It was a much more relaxing and stress free riding environment.
No real trailhead parking Hoover Dr end of this trail. It follows along the back door of commercial and industrial properties. Not much to see.
I just started riding, this trail is amazing and beautiful! Can park in beautiful park in Goddard and ride either East or west. West toward Garden Plain has beautiful bridges. Well kept Trail thankful to those who keep it up!
It was a very windy day, but as this trail runs East - West and the wind was out of the north it was doable. Nice ride with plenty of shade and good rural views. I rode my recumbent with street tires and did okay. Watch out for the big gravel between Maize and Tyler Street(?). Other than that the crushed limestone was fine, but not much pavement so don’t look to hard for it. Limited food service near trail, but two bar/restaurants in Garden Plain. We ate at The Other Place and food was very good. The owners were very accommodating to us, helping to secure our bikes In the patio area. We felt very welcomed there! Extremely friendly along with the other folks we chatted with in Garden Plain. Good ride for lunch from Wichita.
A fantastic trail with great facilities in Goddard.
Rode all but really easternmost mile from Garden Plain. About 24 miles or so round trip. Fantastic condition and highly recommend this trail.
I rode from Maize rd to Garden Plain on a hybrid bike. The path was well kept with just a couple of larger rocks near garden plain. There are really nice parks in Goddard and just north of the trail end in garden plain. I will definitely ride again with my kids.
Really nice trail!! Saw deer and coyote between Goddard and Garden Plain.
Nice trail for biking and long runs.
Great trail. Parked in Goddard, easy access with park and restrooms nearby. Thanks to whoever is responsible - it's appreciated!!
I've ridden the Prairie Sunset Trail several times starting from Maize Rd on the east end and as far as Garden Plaine in the west. Parking a little scares in Wichita at the east end but plenty at the city park in Goddard. If there were a bridge over the Cowskin Creek then users could park at the Air Capital Memorial Park.
Wildfile is plentiful with deer, fox, snake and various bird sightings.
We parked in the Linear Park of Downtown Goddard, KS & rode East to Garden Plain - We stopped at Frosty Treat Drive In Diner for great classic Burgers & Shakes!
203 W Harry Street
Then rode back with happy bellies!
We liked the covered bridge & lots of wildlife - Deer, Turkeys, Lizards...
Easy path. Take plenty of drinking water for a warm day. Wear sunscreen & hat - it was a railroad track once upon a time, so not much shade.
The length from Garden Plain to 167th street can be ridden by a mountain unicycle without much trouble. There are some areas where the underlying ballast has been exposed, but it's not bad and can be avoided by threading through the gaps.
Parking isn't nearly the issue that the description suggests: In Goddard, there's plenty of close parking on both sides of town (near the trail entrance), and in Garden Plain you'll find lots of room to park just across the street of the trail end. And most all the street crossings will have enough room for a car or two to safely park off the street.
The description also says "arrow straight." There is, in fact, a dog-leg in the trail just east of Goddard. It might not be much, but in Kansas, we'll take it.
Nice ride, overall trail is not bad but areas with larger stones can be challenging. Agree with previous comment, would be nice to open it further into Wichita!
We biked the trail early in the AM. As some others note, spots of larger rock in places tested the road bikes but overall it was doable. I might avoid this on a hot and sunny day. It looks like they are extending the trail to the east. A sign indicated that section was under construction.
This was a nice little off road trail. Road it with my old 1970s Schwinn World Tourister and it was very easy.
Well, any day for that matter. I try to walk the 6 miles from Goddard to Garden Plain every saturday morning.
Some tree covered areas, some sunny areas, crushed rock path. Usually see rabbits and squirrels. There is a bench approx. every mile and a nice covered bridge and the Garden Plain trailhead.
If you Geocache, even better, there are I think about 8 Geocaches per mile.
Worth the walk, Come see this nice trail! Rick...
Ride this trail often. It is great, the larger rocks are sometimes a challenge. It would be nice if you would open it up east into Wichita.
Rode entire trail today. Nice change from city traffic. Cross a road each mile but most are gravel and lightly travelled. None are heavily travelled. Only used 2 gears to handle gentle grades.
No parking at 167th (eastern end), so parked at 199th in Goddard then rode east 2 miles. The surface of these 2 miles has some loose larger gravel but not enough to require a mountain bike. The mile to the west of 199th is paved and splits into 2 parallel paths that reconnect before the next mile.
Last 5 miles to garden plain has essentially no larger gravel and is as easy and fun as gravel gets.
It was hot so bring water, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Heat meant little wildlife but a peaceful ride through farm country.
I will ride it again. I found it clean and adequately mowed.
I walked this trail from Garden Plain to the Eastern terminus. I echo the reviews of the previous 2 reviewers. I would add that Kansas is not flat(although the trail is level all the way) the trail is down in an old railroad cut part of the way and above grade in several areas. I saw an abundance of wildlife, including deer, pheasant, rabbits, squirrels and birds. Altogether an enjoyable hike. Lots of trash along the way, needs attention. I noticed that several entities had adopted parts of the trail. Hopefully, with better weather some of this litter will be addressed.
Rode most of this trail today starting in Garden Plain. The surface is really nice, which was unexpected. It is mainly small crushed rock, but quite firm. There were some neat bridges to cross and a small tunnel to go through. The topography was interesting with drops and inclines beside the trail. It was wide enough in most places to ride side by side. Very pretty with the changing colors of fall.
We most recently rode this trail in July of 2010. The trail is now open for 8 continuous miles. It was a bit overgrown at the edges but still a nice ride. Spotted a young deer, a turtle, lots of bugs, bunnies and birds.
The trail runs East from Garden Plain to 2 miles East of Goddard. It's about as flat and straight as a trail can be. If you're riding the entire trail I would suggest starting in Garden Plain as there is vehicle parking at a park near the railroad tracks where the trail begins. There is also parking in Goddard and restrooms although they weren't open the Sunday morning we rode.
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