As the Union Pacific Railroad's southern branch made its way toward the west, Hays was established as a city. Hays was given its name in honor of Alexander Hays, a former Union general slain in the Civil War who inspired the founding of Fort Hays (formerly named Ft. Fletcher and renamed in 1866).
After Fort Hays was abandoned in 1889, efforts to secure a portion of the military reserve for a state school got underway. The Western Branch State Basic School and the Fort Hays Research Station were established in this area in 1901 thanks to legislation. The Basic School would develop into what is now Fort Hays State University. The county seat of Ellis County moved to Hays in 1870, and the city was founded in 1885.
Restaurants near Hays include Sake2Me Sushi, El Dos De Oros, and Gella's Diner & Lb. Brewing Co. For accommodation, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hays is available. Other must-see locations include Massey Park, Fort Hays State Historic Site, and local city parks such as Hays Municipal Park and Frontier Historical Park, which is situated across the U.S. 183 bypass from downtown and immediately south of Hays.
You can visit the Ellis County Historical Society, one of the popular museums in Hays, Kansas. Another amazing location that has large collections and displays of fossil specimens is the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. The downtown Ellis County Historical Society Museum keeps displays of relics dating from the region's Old West era through the settlement of Germans from the Volga and Bukovina regions.
Campgrounds Near Hays, Kansas
Village on Vine is an RV campground close to Hays, Kansas. This RV resort provides free high-speed internet, family-friendly activities, and pet-friendly accommodations. For the ideal short vacation, this RV campground has full 30- and 50-amp connections, concrete pads, and shaded spaces.
On Interstate 70, midway towards Kansas City and Denver, Ellis Lakeside Campground is near Exit 145. It features free Wi-Fi, a playground, picnic tables, charcoal grills, hot baths, water and electric hookups, a shared trash station, a boat dock, and a fishing pier. The cost depends on whether a guest is staying in an RV, a pull-type camper, a pickup camper, an electrical pull-through site, or a tent in a designated tent area.
WaKeeney KOA Journey is also ideal. It includes 50- and 30-amp power, water, sewer, cable TV, and grassy areas. A four-sleeper cabin with cable connection and a queen-size are also available. AC units are included in the cabins, and there is space for car campers.
State Parks Near Hays, Kansas
One of the best places to go fishing, hiking, or water skiing or to just spend time outside is Wilson State Park, which is located in the Smoky Hills area of Kansas. There are two locations in the park, Hell Creek and Otoe. In addition to campgrounds, a swimming beachfront, boat facilities, a harbor, and cycling and hiking paths, there are day-use sites available. The switchgrass cycling track is a lovely 10-mile ride, and the Dakota Trail offers views of the expansive grassland and the reservoir. A 1-mile-loop route that is accessible and paved is also present. Songbirds, migratory birds, waterfowl, deer, and bobwhite quail are just a few of the animals that frequent the reservoir and the area around it.
You can get to Kanopolis State Park from Hays in about 1.5 hours. Just south of I-70, the park is situated southwest of Salina in the picturesque Smoky Hills Region's rocky hills, cliffs, and woodlands. It is accessible to backpackers, mountain bikers, and equestrian riders and has nearly 32 miles of trails. Along with the paths, the 3,000-acre Kanopolis Lake offers boating, water sports, and fishing options. You can also visit Horsethief Canyon, Faris Caves, Smoky Hill Wildlife Area, and Mushroom Rock State Park.
Just west of the Red Hills, Meade State Park is located in the highlands of southwest Kansas. The park's 440 acres of land and recreational amenities are located around the 80-acre Meade State Fishing Lake. You can get a close-up view of the shortgrass prairie environment from the nature trails. This site offers day areas, a swimming beach, boating access, and rustic and utility camping. You can try your hand at catching bluegill, channel cat, crappie, and largemouth bass if you're a fisherman. Quail and dove hunters can find nice possibilities at the nearby 360-acre wildlife reserve.
National Sites Near Hays, Kansas
The Nicodemus National Historic Site, located 56 minutes from Hays, is halfway between Hill City and Webster Lake on Highway 24. If you have a strong interest in history, you can tour the Township Hall, A.M.E. Church, Nicodemus School District #1, First Baptist Church, and St. Francis Hotel. Township Hall houses a visitor center where park rangers, orientation videos, interpretive displays, and book sales enhance the experience for you.
The Tallgrass National Preserve, which is close to Strong City, Kansas, is a wonderful destination for family outings. All ages will enjoy the interactive exhibits in the visitor center, from where you can begin your tour of one of the only remaining tallgrass grasslands throughout the United States. You might also think about taking a Z Bar Farm phone tour to visit its ancient sandstone farmhouse, prairie residence, and icehouse. You can go hiking or take the Flint Hills Historic Byway, which passes through the park and offers many breathtakingly magnificent landscapes.
You can reach the well-known Homestead National Monument of America after a 3.5-hour trip. Its Homestead Heritage Complex, tallgrass prairie environment, and federal land policies will pique your historical curiosity. For presentations about scientific and social science, you can also go to the Education Center. An all-terrain wheelchair can be used on the park's roughly 2.7 miles of extensive hiking trails that wind through to the prairie and woodlands that surround Cub Creek.
National Forests Near Hays, Kansas
Due to the lack of forestland in Kansas, you'll have to drive outside of the state to find a national forest. Central Colorado is home to San Isabel National Forest, approximately five hours from Hays, Kansas. You can enjoy a variety of ecosystems in this area that is rich in geology, history, scenery, habitat for wildlife, and recreational activities. A hike to Devil's Head Lookout offers stunning aspens and pine trees, as well as a 360-degree vista of the tiered mountains. The woodland has a lot of campers scattered about. There is something for everyone, whether you prefer large, developed campgrounds or small, isolated campsites. Enjoy the scenic pines, go on a trek on one of the many trails, set up camp in a campground, bring a picnic to the lake, or watch the sunset over Pikes Peak. For breathtaking views, drive along Rampart Range Road and Gold Camp Road.
You may learn about the fascinating history of southeast Colorado in the Comanche National Grassland near Hays, Kansas. Unparalleled sunsets, beautiful meadows, aromatic juniper Canyonlands, and exceptional wildlife viewing may all be found in the grassland. The Comanche is home to rare animals such as the lesser prairie chicken, golden eagle, and swift fox. Pronghorn, coyotes, hawks, burrowing owls, wild turkeys, badgers, prairie dogs, turtles, roadrunners, and collared lizards are also visible. The Santa Fe Trail still has stretches that you can travel on foot or horseback. On the Comanche National Grassland, take a trip back in time to the era of covered wagons.
Nebraska National Forest is approximately four hours from Hays. Some of the top sites in the forest include Pine Ridge National Recreation Area and Soldier Creek Wilderness Area. Pine Ridge is home to 6,600 acres featuring 80 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Soldier Creek has 17 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails. Camping is also available throughout the forest, and there are several developed recreation sites for picnicking.
