Are you looking for a place in Kansas where you could find beautiful views, forests, and wild animal creatures living in the area? If that’s the case, you go on the right page.
Kansas County is a home to countless national forests where you could see many historical, cultural, and amazing facts that you could find in every place here. Including the newly established and developed national forest in Logan, the New Jerusalem Badlands National Forest.
This place is full of incredible features from its formation, land area, and the creatures living there. That is why many people love to go to the place even though it is new and does not have many things to offer.
So, what are you waiting for now? As you read the reviews about this place through our research, we hope you could find the place as an attractive, remarkable, and incredible place to stay. Thus, all the insights about the great Little Jerusalem Badlands State Parks are here.
(Credits to Little Jerusalem Badlands State Parks (LJBSP))
Getting there
To reach the Little Jerusalem Badlands State Parks, you must travel about 295 squares northwest of Wichita Wichita.
You may take Interstate 135 Northbound to Salina. Then head to exit 95B onto Interstate 70 West to Oakley. You also have to take exit 76, and then you may travel southbound onto United State Highway 83 to Gold Road.
Afterward, you could go to the right (west portion) onto Gold Road for about three and a half miles. Then, go to the right onto County Road 400. Then, after a mile of traveling, you could reach the area’s entrance for Little Jerusalem Badlands State Parks.
From the South:
If you come from Scott City, you have to travel about 21 squares northbound on the United States Highway 83 to Gold Road. Then, you could travel and go to the west onto Gold pavement. Afterward, you could travel about three and a half miles to reach County Road 400. Then, at the Turn north on County pavement 400, you have to drive for about one mile to reach the Little Jerusalem Badlands State Parks entrance.
Basic Info
When you come to the area for the first time or don’t know the area’s exact location, you may look for some basic information to find insight into the featured national forest. Thus, here are some important details you could look at and know more about the featured place.
| Address: | County Road 400 And Gold Road, Elkader, KS 67748 |
| Contact Information: | +1 620-872-2061 |
| Website: | Little Jerusalem Badlands State Parks in Kansa |
| Email address: | kansas@tnc.org sarakay.carrell@ks.gov |
| Google Map Link: | https://www.google.com/maps/place/Little+Jerusalem+Badlands+State+forest/@38.802531,-100.928904,9z/ |
How to Make a Reservation
Reservation is essential in every national forest once you decide to go and pay a visit to it. So, we try to look upon the Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park’s reservation details to help you make an early reservation.
In most national forests, you could reserve about half of the sites. The availability of reservations on every forest basis is on the number of campsites for reservation. Some of the National Forest may be available based on first-come, first-served. You could make a group and shelter campground reservations by calling or visiting the forest office where you could locate the featured place’s facilities. When the management allows camping at a state fishing lake or wild animal area, the sites are only available on a first-come, first-served basis, and it is not possible to reserve them.
You have to stay in the area for four nights as you make camping reservations required during Memorial Day weekend. The management requires three nights’ stay for camping reservations during the Labor Day and Fourth of July weekends.
Cost to Book
The Little Jerusalem Badlands State Parks experience may cost you to pay the regular national forest vehicle daily fee. It reaches $5, and you have to pay for it at the forest office if you don’t have an annual parking pass.
But of course, You may not enjoy the things in Kansa or the Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park unless you have somewhere to stay, so you have to map out a place, whether in your RV, cabin, hotel, or tent camping site.
MOTOR VEHICLE & PARK PERMITS
| Daily Vehicle | $5.00 pay at the forest office $6.00 pay online |
| Annual Vehicle (Temporarily available through online) | $25.00 |
| For Disabled/ Seniors Everyday Vehicle (You have to purchase at the office of KDWPT, for Kansa residents only) | $3.25 |
| For Disabled/ Seniors Annual Vehicle (You have to purchase at the office of KDWPT, for Kansa residents only) | $13.75 |
| Duplicate permit of any type (any time) | $12.50 |
| Annual Camping If you purchased before the 1st day of April or after the 30th day of September | $202.50 (Does not cover prime site fees or everyday utility fees) |
| Annual Camping If you purchased between the 1st day of April or after the 30th day of September | $252.50 (Does not cover prime site fees or everyday utility fees) |
| For 14-day camping | $112.50 (Does not cover prime site fees or everyday utility fees) |
| RV Seasonal camping has limited spaces per month, limited spaces per unit, per month for Eldorado, Clinton, Sand Hills, Tuttle Creek National Forests, and Milford by exceptional pass only, the number of sites limited. You have to apply to the forest office. (It requires an annual camping pass) | For one utility- $371.50 For two utilities- $431.50 For three utilities- $491.50 (used for a special pass only) |
| The RV Seasonal camping has limited spaces per unit, per month for Clinton, Sand Hills, Tuttle Creek National Forests, and Milford by exceptional pass only, the number of sites limited. You have to apply to the forest office. (It requires an annual camping pass) | For one utility- $461.50 For two utilities- $521.50 For three utilities- $581.50 (used for an exceptional pass only) |
| The RV Seasonal camping has limited spaces per unit, per month for Eldorado (It requires an annual camping pass) | For one utility- $486.50 For two utilities- $546.50 For three utilities- $606.50 (used for an exceptional pass only) |
| RV short-term storage has an exceptional pass only, the number of sites limited. You have to apply to the forest office. But not available at all national forests. | $51.50 per month, designated areas only (used for an exceptional pass only) |
| The Unconventional Vehicle Permit has an exceptional pass only. You have to apply to the forest office. | $52.50 |
| Everyday camping it could either be 14-day annual camping pass pays for this rate) | $10.00 |
| Fee for Prime Site | $2.00 |
| One utility (all-year-round, added to camping fee) | $9.00 |
| Two Utilities (all-year-round, added to camping fee) | $11.00 |
| Three Utilities (all-year-round, added to camping fee) | $12.00 |
| Designated for Overflow Camping | $6.50 |
| Youth Camping | $4.00 per campsite unit |
| A special event has to make through visiting the forest or by phone | $0 to $201.50 |
Trail Permits: To utilize the Flint Hills or Trail Pasture Spirit Trail, a stream pass “per-person” is no longer required.
Camping Fees: The management requires the campers and guests to have a camping pass for those who would go for an overnight stay in addition to the motor vehicle pass required as well. At 2:00 in the afternoon, all daily camping passes expire. The designated sites apply a prime site fee from the 1st day of April or the 30th day of September. In addition to the fees given, you have to pay a $3.00 transaction fee for all overnight stays per stay.
Cabin Rental: The price varies depending on location, timing, per night, and amenities. You may call forest management or go to www.reserveamerica.com for reservations. There are weekly and monthly rentals available for the featured area.
Note that all fees you can see in the table include transaction fees. The actual costs of the area’s fee may vary depending on the number of issuances purchased in the same transaction.
Emergency Hotlines
Here are the hotlines you could contact and reach if something unpleasant happens in the area you visit. These could help those unfamiliar with the national forest and those coming to the national forest for the first time.
The 311 is the residents’ hotline allotted for the City services and information. If you have to request a service, ask a question about the city service, and report an issue, you could contact the 311 hotlines.
| EMERGENCIES | 911 |
| Kansa City CODE BLUE Cardiac/Respiratory Emergency | 85656 |
| CODE RED Fire | 911 |
| Emergency Repair Service (Facilities Operations) | 87928 |
| Emergency Room | 86500 |
| Wichita Emergency Repair Service (Facilities Operations) | 316-293-2625 |
| Security (office) Security (cell) | 316-293-2662 316-648-8329 |
| Missouri Department of Natural Resources Operator: | 1-800-361-4827 |
| Environmental Emergency Response (24-hour): | 573-634-2436 |
| Public Drinking Water Branch – Jefferson City: | 573-751-5331 |
| Kansa City Regional Office – Kansa City: | 816-251-0700 |
| Northeast Regional Office – Macon: | 660-385-8000 |
| Southeast Regional Office – Poplar Bluff: | 573-840-9750 |
| Southwest Regional Office – Springfield: | 417-891-4300 |
| EPA Region VII Response Line: Fax: | 913-281-0991 913-551-7151 |
| Drinking-Water: | 913-551-7030 |
| Safe Drinking Water Hotline: | 1-800-426-4791 |
| National Response Centers | 1-800-424-8802 |
| FBI Kansa City: | 816-512-8200 |
| State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Duty Officer/After Hours: | 573-751-2748 |
| EOC Control Room: | 573-526-9100 |
| Missouri Department of Conservation Main Office: | 573-751-4115 |
| Fish and Wildlife Research Centers: | 573-882-9880 |
| Missouri Department of Health 24 hours of Emergency/ Disease Reporting: | 1-800-392-0272 |
| Public Service Commission | 573-751-3456 |
| Missouri National Guard | 1-888-526-6664 573-638-9500 |
| United States Corps of Engineers Kansa City District: | 816-983-3486 |
| National Weather Service Kansa City: | 913-384-5555 |
| National Poison Centers Kansa City: | 816-234-3000 |
| Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances: | 202-260-2902 |
| National Response Centers: | 1-800-424-8802 |
| National Infrastructure Protection Centers (report incidents): | 202-323-3205 or 1-888-585-9078 |
| WaterISAC: | 1-866-426-4722 |
| AWWA: | 1-800-926-7337 |
| CHEMTREC: | 1-800-424-9300 |
We have already searched all the emergency hotlines where you could inquire, report, and request as you come to the featured area. We hope that these numbers may be a great help to you.
Major Features
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is a global map where you can expect and discover many things. Even this is a newly established area in Logan. If you are interested in knowing more about it, we present some significant features of the area where you could enjoy and discover its history and beauty.
Niobrara chalk formation is Kansa’s most dramatic scenery in the Badlands. They could provide you with meaningful and unique habitats for many wild animals and plants. Including native reptiles, amphibians, and birds such as cliff swallows and ferruginous hawks live here. New Jerusalem is also the home of the largest population of wild buckwheat on the Great Plains. You could find the native plant only in western Kansa along the blanch bluffs prairie, and you could not find it anywhere else in the world.
The blanch outcroppings in the area have many names given to them. During the 19th century, they said that the national forest resembled many castle ruins, so they called it “Castle City.” But some people say that the area got the name “New Jerusalem” or “Little Jerusalem” because when you map out the site from a distance, it looks similar to the ancient walled city of Jerusalem. When Nature Preservation obtained the property, most geologists and modern-day locals recognized the area’s name as New Jerusalem.
This New Jerusalem is an area owned by The Nature Conservancy. To make the area’s portion open to the public, TNC decided to partner with the Department of Wild Animals, Forests & Tourism of Kansa.
The forest also once became a part of the ranch of McGuire. After the five generations of consecutive family ownership, they considered it a public forest where all people could hike and enjoy the national forest as they go there.
You could freely tour the streams to view the rock formations. Some of the nearby Smoky Hill River towers are more than 100 feet above. You could find the rock’s formation appearance is dramatically different from varying points in a different light and along the marked streams.
Sharp-eyed guests may occasionally spot bats, lizards, small mammals, toads, snakes, and varieties of insects. Great Plains wild buckwheat grows only in the blanch prairies of western Kansa and the single largest population of this endemic plant you could find in New Jerusalem.
The national forest is open all year round, from sunrise to sunset every day, including holidays. It has two streams best for hiking, which may take you to various scenic sights at your own pace and comfort. state
(credits to Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park- Kansa Department of Wild Animals, Forests & Tourism )
Activities and Amenities
Credits to: SVC
This area is a newly established and developed site where you could do so much more, whether streams or sports when you pay a visit. People who love to go hiking and discover trails are the most suitable place to do it—no wonder why many people travel to this area for a weekend getaway with their family and friends.
(credits to The Nature Conservancy)
The only facilities you would find in the forest are two restrooms, typically closed during the chilly months. You could not find any potable water, so much better when you pay a visit to this place, bring your drinking water.
They also allowed you to bring your pet with a leash in the national forest. But you have to be responsible and accountable to take all the trash, including your pet waste, with you when you leave the place.
Many campers, sports enthusiasts, and hikers would love to explore the two hiking trails. The first is the Overlook Trail that extends one and a quarter-mile along the crushed rock exterior to the scenic viewpoint. You could do walking and photography in the area, but the management did not allow motorized vehicles, except for motorized wheelchairs for disabled people.
And the other one is the Life on the Rocks Trail, which is about one and a half squares with multiple bends along the rocks’ rim to give you two scenic overlooks and varieties of views. The first overlooked terrain is a gentle gradient and crushed rock surface for all abilities for the first 3,500 feet ( 2/3 mile); the second overlook has a natural surface trail for the next one and a half square 2,766 feet. You could find moderate slopes. You could also do walking and photography in the area, but the management did not allow motorized vehicles, except for motorized wheelchairs for disabled people.
(credits to The Nature Conservancy)
Before you leave the area, you may carve your name on the limestone marker of the forest. You have to bring your water jug, hiking trail equipment and most of all the camera to capture all the beautiful, scenic and picturesque views you could see in the area.
Nearby Attractions
Credits to: WAM
Since the national forest is new and there are no extensive amenities and activities, you could try to go to different nearby attractions in the area. It would give you more time to spend with your family and friends and enjoy Kansa’s view and scenic nature. We overlooked some of the prestigious areas nearby to capture and save in your gallery and not to get bored as you travel in it.
- Smoky Valley Ranch
It is an area of vast prairie shortgrass marked through blanch badlands containing fossils 85 million years of age. This prairie supports formidable wild animals and plant diversity when it continues the area’s long history as a working cattle ranch.
(credits to Nature Conservancy)
- Battle Of Punished Woman’s Fork
(credits to Kansa Department of Wild Animals, Forests & Tourism)
- Duff’s Buffalo Ranch
(credits to Kansa Department of Wild Animals, Forests & Tourism)
- El Quartelejo Museum
(credits to Kansa Department of Wild Animals, Forests & Tourism)
- Historic Lake Scott National Forest
(credits to Kansa Department of Wild Animals, Forests & Tourism)
- Jerry Thomas Gallery & Collection
(credits to Kansa Department of Wild Animals, Forests & Tourism)
- Keystone Gallery
(credits to Kansa Department of Wild Animals, Forests & Tourism)
- Monument Rocks
(credits to Kansa Department of Wild Animals, Forests & Tourism)
- Spencer Flight and Education Center
(credits to Kansas Department of Wild Animals, Forests & Tourism)
- Timber Canyon
(credits to Pinterest)
- Barrel Springs Trout Pond
(credits to Kansas Department of Wild Animals, Forests & Tourism)
- The National Historical and educational Site of Battle of Punished Woman’s Fork
(credits to Kansas Department of Wild Animals, Forests & Tourism)
- The Battle Canyon
(credits to Kansas Department of Wildlife, Forests & Tourism)
These nearby attractions are beautiful places to see, travel, and tour in the featured National Forest. So, if you want to know more about it, you could stay with the place and ensure that your tour and discover the whole area to find the perfect place to stay as you travel with your family and friends during a weekend getaway. These are some of the nearby attractions you may capture and include in your gallery to save it as a memory of the place.
Rules and Regulations at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park
The featured national forest is a fragile area and landscape to consider. The blanch formations could easily damage when people climb or walk on them and by weather. Therefore, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Forests, and Tourism and the Nature Preservation, which owns the forest, offers these guidelines to follow and review by the campers and guests.
- You have to stay close to the overlooks, walkways, and marked streams. The management would allow you to do off-trail when on a guided tour.
- The management would not allow horses, UTVs, ATVs, or bicycles. The stream, except for wheelchairs, is only available for pedestrian traffic.
- You would not have the permission to take anything in the area, no fossil hunting, and no collecting of artifacts, including flowers, rocks, and plants. Even if you found it lying on the ground, you have no right to collect it. You could only take pictures.
- The area management would not allow you to do sports, camping, fires, and rock climbing. Camping opportunities are only available at the Historic Lake Scott National Forest, which would take you about seven squares south of the featured area.
- In advance, you have to schedule the guided tour inside the New Jerusalem Badland National Forest by calling the office’s hotline at the Historic Lake Scott National Forest.
- Suppose you would bring your dogs with you. You have to put a leash on them, and you have to take along supplies, including trash bags and many more, to clean up their messes.
- The parks required a motor vehicle pass for every motorized vehicle entering the national forest premises.
- The forest restricted the motor vehicles to maintain the parking areas and pavements only. Unless posted, and the area limit to be 25 squares per hour, every motor vehicle’s speed limit.
- They allowed camping only in designated areas, and as posted, it is subject to restrictions. All campers and camping units have a limited time to stay in the area of not more than fourteen consecutive days. However, they could obtain a 14-day extension with the park area manager’s written permission. They require a five-day absence before going back to the forest for you to go camping again. Any belongings or premises left unoccupied or unused for forty-eight hours are subject to removal.
- They allowed fires and fireworks in fire rings, fireplaces, and cooking grills. Must have wholly extinguished all the fires before leaving the area premises.
- They also allowed swimming in designated areas. They have also forbidden beer and liquor in waters designated and on swimming beaches by other markers or buoys as swimming areas. For other beverages, they only allow you to bring shatterproof containers.
- You could obtain the boating and fishing regulation at wild animals and forest offices.
- The pets must always restrain a hand-held leash, cage, camper, or tethered chain with no longer than ten feet. They would not allow the pets on swimming beaches or swimming areas designated by the buoys or other markers or public structures or buildings. Dogs assisting the visually impaired or participating in authorized activities or hearing impaired are not subject to the forest policy’s restrictions.
- The forest management also requires an exceptional pass for any events, activities, or work involving exclusive use of an area, amplified sound, sales, entrance fees, organized competition, reservation of a particular facility or site, or use of temporary structures (does not include standard camping blinds or gear). You could check the details at the forest office.
- As per the post, they allowed hunting only on the remote portions of several national forests. So, Be sure to check the details at the national forest office before you start hunting.
- The forest management forbade fishing on swimming beaches, boat ramps, and swimming areas marked by the buoys. You may only clean the fish at the designated fish cleaning stations or other areas and locations posted in national forests. They also forbid trotlines and set lines in the fishing water areas of state lakes, Meade National Forest, Crawford National Forest, and Scott National Forest.
- The boat’s operation is within 200 feet of any location or area posted specifically for delineated and swimming by markers. They required no-wake speeds within 200 feet of boat storage, boat dock, boat ramp, boat storage, or concessionaire structures or facilities. They may store or Moore the boats above twenty-four hours only at the area’s designated sites. All vessels left unattended other than a designated storage site or moorage are subject to removal. Others posted it, and notices may apply.
- They allowed livestock used for riding only to enter the national forests. They restricted horses and other livestock to maintain the designated riding streams and pavements and had to be stable only in the designated area.
- They allowed fireworks only in designated areas at designated times as well.
- If given, all the Litter in the area would have to be put in trash containers or bins. The forest management gave all bins and containers, and forest users must carry their trash out with them as they leave the forest premises.
- The forest management strictly forbade removing geological formations to work, digging holes, removing archeological relics or ruins work, or ruining the vegetation except for the non-commercial use of edible wild fruits, nuts, and wild plants, or fungi.
- Any resident in the County or area who has a permanent handicapped identification placard or a wheelchair license plate issued upon request would allow the disabled person to have an annual handicapped exceptional motor vehicle pass for their vehicle and given to the titleholder for that resident.
- They would not allow any kind of solicited sales or advertisement.
- The quiet hours of the parking area are from 11:00 in the evening until 6:00 in the morning,
- The forest management prohibited actions which anger, alarm, or disturb others. The failure to comply with this policy may result in the camper’s expulsion from the forest.
- You could discharge firearms if and only if you are in the areas specifically designated for target practice or hunting.
It is essential that as a camper and guest in the National Forest or the County, you should know all the policies, mandates, and rules that you have to follow and work hard to observe them for a peaceful and orderly trip or getaway with your family and friends.
What to Be Aware Of
When you are in a particular state, city, or area, you have to know what you should know to avoid misunderstanding, troubles, and inconvenience. Here are some of those things you need to understand as you travel to this site.
There is a strict policy about collecting all artifacts and other things you may find at the site. They would not allow anyone, even a paleontologist and all other people involved in research work, to get anything at the site.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Forests & Tourism gave the guests a guided tour. The events and tour schemes vary through the season, and also, there are more tours added regularly.
The management would not allow any guests or campers to go off-trail unless forest staff accompanied them on the guided tour.
All-National Forest rules in Kansas apply and work at the Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park.
The national forest is open only during day working hours. You also have to bring a National Forest pass because the management required it.
The Kansas National Forests Passport availability is only at the time of vehicle registration at your county treasurer’s office for $15.50. It is valid until the vehicle registration expires. It is not available within Kansas Wild Animals, Forests, and Tourism offices.
This area cannot use a site for any sports events because of its weak construction of natural rock formations.
Traveling into this area allows you to bring essentials, including mess kits, which helps you since it doesn’t have enough places to eat or cook your food during your road trip. You could also bring toilet paper, GPS, power converter or charger, and many more.
Why It’s Awesome
Are you wondering why they called it Little Jerusalem? Well, the area has many names due to its blanch outcroppings collection. In the late 19th century, many people agreed that it resembled many castle ruins, thus “Castle City.” Many people say that it got the name “Little Jerusalem” or “New Jerusalem” because it looks like the ancient walled city of Jerusalem from a distance. When The Nature Preservation acquired the belongings, most modern-day locals and geologists knew it by the name of New Jerusalem.
Whatever the name of the New Jerusalem, you don’t have to confuse yourself with the Castle Rock, Little Pyramids, or Monument Rocks, which are very similar to Niobrara Chalk formation’s distinctive beauty in smaller areas and portions of the land. You have to respect these other landmarks on private property, not owned or managed by the TNC (The Nature Preservation).
A long time ago, the area where New Jerusalem was a great sea. The remains of swimming and flying reptiles dating back 85 million years have that found here. In addition to the present-day wild animals, Ancient giant oysters and clams are a few of the most common fossils you could see in these badlands.
Here are the things that make this national forest unique and, at the same time, fantastic as you want to know about this place’s exceptional characteristics.
PRONGHORN is an animal sometimes called an antelope. It is a breed of mammal uniquely from North American that still plays on the wide range of land areas in western Kansas.
(credits to Nature Preservation)
CRUSHED ROCK. At Little Jerusalem Badlands state parks, most of the streams are mostly gentle gradients and have a crushed rock surface.
(credits to Nature Preservation)
You could stop and take a moment at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Parks. The Rock formations of the area might make you amazed and take your breath away. But the Kansas spacious landscape may give your heart a desire to go back again to this area.
(credits to Nature Preservation)
CHALK LILY, also known as Mentzelia decapetala, is a plant that normally opens and blooms during the night for nocturnal pollinators in the area and closes up before sunrise.
(credits to Nature Preservation)
FERRUGINOUS HAWK is one of the most popular bird nests in Kansas, found along the Smoky Hill River and western blanch bluffs.
(credits to The Nature Preservation)
ROCK FORMATIONS in Western Kansas at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is popular among tourists, guests, and even guests. Nature Preservation, which owns the property, has made a partnership with Kansas to offer the area for public access.
(credits to The Nature Preservation)
NIOBRARA CHALK FORMATIONS was formed 85 million years ago when the Western Interior Seaway covered the area.
(credits to The Nature Preservation)
CLIFF SWALLOWS These mud nests are a common sight near the tops of rock formations in western Kansas.
(credits to The Nature Preservation)
WINTERFAT or Krascheninnikovia lanata is a rare plant that you could find in Kansas but could not find in the New Jerusalem land area. After this shrub goes to seed, the ‘shaggy’ white shrub is valuable forage considered harsh winters for wild animal creatures.
(credits to The Nature Preservation)
These are the reasons why the area is incredible. Other National Forests don’t have the same qualities and features as this area. So, you would not be surprised to know that this area is a place that you would love to stay and enjoy.
And as you go deeper and further into this area, you will know that New Jerusalem is an area not available for any kind of sports activity. It is a place where you can only release your stress, comfort yourself, and free your mind from all the hassle caused by many things because of its wonders and views.
Frequently Asked Questions
As guests, tourists, or campers, you might have questions in mind before deciding to pay a visit to the featured national forest. So, to help you out, we listed some frequently asked questions about the area so that it would be helpful for you as you keep an eye on the New Jerusalem National Forest.
How is the drive as you go to this campsite?
The County publicly maintains all the pavements that have access to Little Jerusalem Badlands State Parks. Some pavements sometimes are not accessible for campers to pass.
The spin-around for RVs and buses and the parking lot has a natural surface that may get muddy on rainy days or not comfortable to access. The area has two designated paved pathways, including accessible parking spaces.
When is the best season to come by the state forest?
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is always open for all tourists, guests, campers every day, even holidays, and all year round. It is an outdoor place for the public to enjoy the place anytime you want to come.
How could we register for a guided tour?
You have to scheme your guided tour with the Kansas Department of Wild Animals, Forests & Tourism. The events and tour scheme vary by season, and more journeys are added regularly.
You also have to check from the KDWPT the calendar of New Jerusalem. Then you have to make a reservation of space on tour by emailing sarakay.carrell@ks.gov, or you have to call 620-872-2061, the forest office at Historic Lake Scott National Forest.
For a private tour, extensive group tours, or other exceptional tour requests, you have to email sarakay.carrell@ks.gov to make a reservation.
You don’t have to make reservations in the two designated streams for hiking activities.
How much is the cost of admission to the campsite?
As tourists, the management requires you to purchase a vehicle pass for everyday use, and currently, you have to pay $5 at the forest or have an annual national forest vehicle pass of Kansas County.
All regularly scheduled guided tours would be free of charge.
You could purchase every day passes at the Pay Station located before the entrance at the parking lot entrance with a check or cash upon the day of your arrival. You may also purchase a pass for everyday use in advance for $6 only.
Who owns Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park?
New Jerusalem is owned by The Nature Preservation, a global nonprofit conservation organization. The Nature Preservation has partnered with the Kansas Department of Wild Animals, Forests & Tourism to make portions of the area outdoors open to the public.
Does anyone allow you to go off the streams without a guide?
The answer is a big No. All guests without forest staff or any experience guide must stay on the designated streams unless they have someone who could accompany them either as a forest staff or tour guide.
The Kansas Department of Wild Animals, Forests & Tourism gave a guided tour for all the campers. The events and tour scheme vary depending on the season, and regularly there are more than usual.
Are the tourists, guests, or campers able to keep the area’s fossils, rock, shark tooth, and flowers they find?
The management would not allow guests or guides to take anything in the area. Everything you could find in the outdoor place and not beyond its boundaries is all the area’s treasure and belongings. So, take nothing but pictures only.
Does the state forest allow camping?
No. The New Jerusalem Badlands National Forest is not an overnight spot but a day-use forest. If you want to do an overnight camp, you could go about seven miles south until reaching the Historic Lake Scott National Forest. This national forest offers multiple camping sites and amenities to enjoy. You could also find a private campground in Oakley.
Do they allow dogs on the site?
Yes. The national forest management allows dogs, but it has to be on their leash at all times, and the owner should be responsible, accountable, and attentive to their pet during the stream. The dog owners must clean up all the mess and trash of their pet, including its waste.
Do they allow bicycles, UTVs, and horses in the area?
No. The New Jerusalem Badlands National Forest applies to pedestrian traffic on the designated streams only and not on bicycles, UTVs, and horses. But they allow walkers, motorized wheelchairs, and other assistive devices in the area.
Do they allow the use of drones and UAV gadgets at the campsite?
No. The management would not allow all uncrewed aircraft vehicles or drones at the Jerusalem Badlands National Forest. You have to respect and observe the area’s rules, regulations, and protocols.
Is there any area where we could stay, eat, and shop in the state Forest?
There are many available places and lodging options to stay, eat and shop in the surrounding and nearby communities of Logan, Wallace, and Scott counties. You have to check it out.
What are the things to do in the area?
The area of Western Kansas is full of visually, culturally, and historically fascinating things to do and to see. So, We suggested that you start with the Western Vistas Historic Byway route.
The County’s road trip is not complete without the Jerusalem Badlands National Forest trip and a stay at The Nearby Smoky Valley Ranch of Nature Preservation. All Hiking and horseback streams are open all year round on the western edge of Smoky Valley Ranch.
What to Expect
The Jerusalem Badlands National Forest is where you could relax and discover many things about 85 million years ago. It is a campground or national forest and home to the history and culture of Logan.
The area could not hide the beauty and mystery of the national forest featured here because the name itself, the views, and its landscape speak for it. Though it is new and not very well-known yet, all people would still adore and amaze this area in Kansas.
It is an ocean before, 85 million years ago, but an incredible landscape today with hiking streams perfect for those who love hiking and are fond of discovering things. This area is suitable for all campers, whether beginners or experienced going on a road trip.
That is why it is not surprising if many desire to go to this place and you are one of them. The area would go beyond your expectation. It would astound you and capture your heart.
So, what now? Let us all start packing our things up. Start our engine, and let’s make a road trip with our family and friends along the pavement of Kansas County until we reach the Great New Jerusalem Badlands National Forest.