Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park

Welcome to the Kansas Bandlands

Acquired by The Nature Conservancy, this collection of chalk outcroppings has had many names. In the late 19th century, it was said to resemble the ruins of many castles, thus “Castle City.” Some say that it got the name “Little Jerusalem” or “New Jerusalem” because from a distance it looks like the ancient walled city of Jerusalem.  Most of the locals and geologists know it by the name of Little Jerusalem.

In partnership with Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, the site has been designated as Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. Watch the video:  This Land is Our Land.  

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Preserving & Sharing

Little Jerusalem provides a tremendous opportunity to connect people to the wonders of the prairie. It is the state’s largest Niobrara Chalk formation. These chalk badlands provide unique and important habitat for ferruginous hawks, cliff swallows, Say’s phoebe and rock wrens, as well as many native amphibians and reptiles. Little Jerusalem is also home to the single largest population of Great Plains wild buckwheat, an endemic plant that is found in the chalk bluffs prairie of western Kansas and nowhere else in the world. In addition to the modern wildlife, fossils of swimming and flying reptiles dating back 85 million years have been found here, though ancient clams and oysters are more common.

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Hours and Info

Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is open to visitors sunup to sundown daily, all year round. There is a 1/4 mile scenic overlook trail and a 1 1/2 mile self-guided trail. Two hour naturalist guided hikes into the outcroppings are available.  

Visitors will be required to purchase a daily vehicle permit for $5 at the park or have an annual Kansas state parks vehicle pass. Dogs Welcome - please clean up after.

There is a strict no-collection policy that applies to paleontological and all other finds at the site.
GPS   38.80280561     -100.9282032
For Information, call:  620-872-2061

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