Ottawa Trail Guide - Bike Prairie Spirit Trail

Ottawa, KS Ottawa is the largest community along the Prairie Spirit Trail, and features numerous restaurants, shops, and lodging options. Most of the amenities are located along Main Street (just a block or so east of the trail).

Ottawa is the county seat of Franklin County. It is located along the Marais des Cygnes River. It has a population of 12,).

There are three convenient access points for the trail in town:

Old Depot Museum: The northern-most point on the Prairie Spirit Trail, this historic structure served as the passenger depot for the railroad, and how houses the Franklin County historical museum, as well as functioning as a trailhead, with ample parking. Mile marker 58.4.
Kanza Park: An Ottawa city park featuring a one-mile hard-surfaced walking trail, exercise stations, and an 18-hole disc golf course. Mile marker 59.9.
Ottawa Trailhead: This trailhead is located near the southern end of the city, and features a self-pay permit station, water, picnic tables, and parking. Mile marker 60.6.

Heading south from the Old Depot Museum, the trail crosses the Marais des Cygnes River on the old railroad bridge. Immediately south of the river it intersects the east/west route of the Flint Hills Nature Trail. From there, the trail continues south on city streets (where it is, frankly, very poorly marked), before picking back up again as a discrete path at 5th Street. From there, the paved path heads past Kanza Park and the southern trailhead before heading out of town. South of 23rd Street, the trail is crushed limestone, with a short jog on the barricaded shoulder of US-59 highway as it passes beneath Interstate 35.

Directions South From Ottawa

South: Princeton (6.7 miles)

After riding beneath I-35, the crushed limestone trail has a slight grade upwards towards Princeton. Most of the way is canopied by trees, which provide much-desired shade on hot days. The trail crosses five gravel roads between Ottawa and Princeton with a variety of smoothness of transistions. As you approach John Brown Road, you should be able to see the Princeton Trailhead in front of you.

Services along the Prairie Spirit Trail in Ottawa

Photo	Service, Address, Phone	Services
	Blue Star Cafe 405 North Main Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	Carnegie Cultural Center 515 Main Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	Casey's General Store 334 North Main Street, Ottawa, KS
	Days Inn 1641 South Main Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	Dietrich Cabin 5th & Main Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant 402 South Main Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	El Sol 210 South Main Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	Flint Hills Nature Trail 7th and South Mason Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	Franklin County Courthouse 305 South Main Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	Franklin County Visitor Information Center 2011 East Logan Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	Kanza Park 216 West 13th Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	Keim Bakery 304 South Main Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	Luigi's Italian Restaurant 127 South Main Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	Maria's Mexican 314 South Main Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	Old Depot Museum 135 West Tecumseh Street, Ottawa, KS
	Ottawa Trailhead 1775 S. Princeton Circle Dr., Ottawa, KS 66067
	Pizza Time 208 South Main Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	Pizza Village 330 South Main Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	Poncho's Mexican Restaurant 429 South Main Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	Smoked Creations BBQ 222 East Logan Street, Ottawa, KS 66067
	South Beach Cove 1608 South Main Street, Ottawa, KS 66067