Things to Do around Hays

Hays offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, touring cycling, and jogging. The region features diverse landscapes such as rolling hills, prairies, and waterways like Big Creek.

Popular hiking trails in Hays include the Big Creek Nature Trail, a 1.7-mile (2.7-kilometer) path in Frontier Park, and the Vineyard Park Nature Trail, which is 1.1 miles (1.8 kilometers) long and traverses wetlands. The Dr. Howard Reynolds Nature Trail also offers 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) through upland prairie. For more options, explore the Hiking around Hays guide.

Yes, Hays offers several easy hiking options suitable for various skill levels. The Hays Medical Center Fitness Trail is a paved, 0.75-mile (1.2-kilometer) path with fitness stations. The Big Creek Nature Trail is also generally considered accessible. Find more easy routes in the Easy hikes around Hays guide.

Mountain biking opportunities in Hays include sections of the Vineyard Park Nature Area. Additionally, the Hays F.E.E.T trail, located along Big Creek, is developed to accommodate trail bicycles. Consult the MTB Trails around Hays guide for detailed routes.

Hays supports road cycling through its 'Bike Hays' initiative, offering various routes. A notable event is the annual Tour die Kapellen, which features routes from 15 to 100 miles (24 to 161 kilometers) and includes mixed-surface options. Discover more routes in the Road Cycling Routes around Hays guide.

Many of Hays' trails are suitable for families, offering accessible and engaging experiences. Trails like the Big Creek Nature Trail and the Hays Medical Center Fitness Trail provide relatively flat and well-maintained paths. The Vineyard Park Nature Trail also offers opportunities to observe wildlife and native plants.

Hays trails showcase the unique High Plains environment, featuring rolling hills, prairies, and riparian corridors along Big Creek and Chetolah Creek. Hikers can observe diverse wildlife, over 200 plant species, and historic points of interest, particularly along the Big Creek Nature Trail.

The Tour die Kapellen is an annual organized cycling event in Hays that celebrates the Volga-German heritage of Ellis County. It offers multiple route options, ranging from 15 to 100 miles (24 to 161 kilometers), including mixed-surface routes. Cyclists visit historic limestone churches in rural communities during the tour.

Hays' outdoor routes are well-regarded on komoot, with more than 900 visitors sharing their experiences. The routes collectively hold an average rating of 4.28 out of 5 stars, indicating a positive user experience.

Yes, komoot offers several guides for Hays, covering various sports. These include Hiking around Hays, Easy hikes around Hays, MTB Trails around Hays, and Road Cycling Routes around Hays.

The Hays Convention & Visitors Bureau can be reached by phone at (785) 628-8202 or toll-free at (800) 569-4505. Additional information is available on their website, visithays.com.