MISSOURI

Katy Trail State Park in St. Charles (800-334-6946). Currently the longest rails-to-trails conversion in the United States, this park runs alongside the Missouri River. The smooth, level grade is ideal for bikes or wheelchairs, and the trailheads make restful picnic spots. Although parts of the Katy Trail are still being developed, visitors will soon be able to travel from St. Charles to Sedalia and find bed-and-breakfasts, nearby campgrounds, cafes, taverns and even local festivals along the way. In more rural stretches, visitors may also get a chance to see deer, bobcats, opossums and soaring eagles.

KANSAS

Kanopolis State Park in Marquette (785-546-2565). The state's reputation for flatlands is dispelled in this 1,600-acre park, home to canyons, rolling hills and, of course, tallgrass prairies. Hike or bike the 26 miles of trails that wind through Horsethief Canyon (legend has it that local bad guys hid their stolen horses here) or trek to Mushroom Rock, an area of sandstone formations north of the Kanopolis Reservoir. Kids will enjoy the prairie dog town in the Horsethief area, where these bright-eyed characters pop up and down all day long. Camping is available at 120 sites throughout the park.

IDAHO

Ponderosa State Park in McCall (208-634-2164). Set on a peninsula in Payette Lake, this western park is surrounded by 7,000-foot peaks. Hikers can explore everything from sagebrush flats to steep cliff overlooks to forests that contain 300-year-old ponderosa pines before returning to the campground at night.

NEBRASKA

Rock Creek Station Historic Park in Fairbury (402-729-5777). Do your hiking on historic ground at this 400-acre park. From the visitor's center, you can see a tremendous trail rut worn by the Pony Express and the Oregon Trail travelers. Glaciers also carved deep ravines and dumped huge boulders in this rugged country, which gives way to open prairies and colorful wild flowers. Next door is the Rock Glen State Wildlife Management Area, with 700 additional acres of natural land, hiking trails, campgrounds and primitive tent sites.

Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Originally published in June, 1996. Updated April 2004.