What is more energizing than a walk through nature as spring works its magic and turns everything green again? The best hikes in Kansas are easy to traverse and the perfect length to get you out of the house for a while without making you hike across the state - and they're better still in springtime. These easy and beautiful hiking trails in KS will get you out there and in the spirit of the season. Let's go!

This 1.6-mile loop trail takes you through a spring forest with rock outcroppings, a lakeside view, and plenty of space to explore. It's the perfect length for a short hike, and it's also equine-friendly for most of the trail features. This is easily one of the best short hikes in Kansas.

This 1.1-mile loop is at the highest area of the park, which is how it earned its nickname of Mt. Lehigh. Among the rock outcroppings, it's not uncommon to see stacks of them adorning the path as you explore this quick hike through the woods. If you pop in during the right time, you can even see the wildflowers that grow along the trail naturally. This whole area is wonderful for hiking in Kansas.

The Rocky Pond Trail is a little longer, at 2.2 miles, but it's still a loop, making it easier than going back the way you came. Some of the features you'll find here are the wildflowers, grasses, and wildlife. It's a great place to bring your dog (on a leash) or mountain bike your way through if you're not a hiker. It won't be hard to see why this is one of the best nature trails in Kansas.

This two-mile loop trail in Kansas is the perfect size for any style hiker, with multiple bridges, wildflowers, and a lake. Feel free to bring your leashed dog for the trip, as well. There's also another trail here that runs 13 to 15 miles around the lake, if you're an experienced hiker who wants something a little longer than two miles.

One of our favorites, this 2.5-mile loop near Wilson Lake is the perfect getaway for those Kansans that love rock formations. There just happens to be quite a few of them at the lake and on this trail. Of course, enjoy the lake too, while you're here! As a bonus, Wilson State Park is a treat all by itself, so be sure to explore while you're here.

This 1.4-mile loop trail is a little less demanding for those of us who don't hike often, and it's also home to some beautiful wildflowers once they start blooming. It's a great place to bring the family for a picnic, as long as you take all your trash with you. This is an easy hike in Kansas you're sure to love!

Prairie is the perfect word to describe this 2.4-mile loop through beautiful grasses and plenty of open skies. This trail also features a small lake and is perfect for people who'd like open air as well as wooded trail areas. This beautiful hiking trail in Kansas is one we think you'll love over and over again.

Though this trail is the shortest on our list at 0.4 miles, that doesn't mean it isn't beautiful every spring. It's a great trail for a short hike, and still worth the trip if you don't live near Olathe. Maybe you can explore something nearby that's on your bucket list? This is one of the best things to do in the spring in Kansas.

Last but not least, this trail overlooking a beautiful wildlife area is only 0.8 miles long. It's full of wildlife, very kid-friendly, and gives you an amazing view of Kansas nature at its finest. This is easily one of our favorite short hikes in Kansas.

What do you think? What would you call the best hiking trails in Kansas? Tell us about your picks in the comments! Planning to make a whole trip out of it? No worries - be sure to check out our hiking trip packing list so you don't forget a thing.

If you love spending time in the outdoors but prefer to stay put most of the day, you'll love this lakeside campground in Kansas. It, too, contains some of the best hikes in Kansas that you're sure to totally love.