Backwoods in Wichita, Kansas 
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Maybe we love it so because it is the original Backwoods where it all started, in Wichita in 1973. Enthusiasts responded, and soon, we had a following; a dedicated group of backpackers and avid travelers outfitting their next adventure. The fly anglers, always determined to find just the right fly rod and fly reel in their quest for a perfect day on the river can find what they need here. Then the climbers discovered us and it seems ever since we opened the doors, we’ve helped people prepare for just about any adventure imaginable.
It makes perfect sense though; our staff has over 40 years of collective experience and between us, we’ve traveled the world on our own adventure trip destinations to places like Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Argentina, John Muir Trail, Manitoba,Canada, the Grand Canyon, the Smoky Mountains, Moab, and completed 50 of the 54 14er’s in Colorado, to name a few. Chances are if you have a trip in the works, someone on our staff has firsthand knowledge of what’s essential for your travel adventure and what’s optional, so you can shop to pack efficiently and effectively. We’ve helped a lot of enthusiasts select everything from camping stoves to outdoor clothing and love to share advice!
We really have a great time together; for a lot of us, walking into work and being surrounded by the wood and rock inside our store almost feels like being outdoors, and the gear! Well, we are all guilty of being gear junkies. We have a huge selection of camping merchandise from mountain equipment and climbing gear, to all-around family camping tent and cozy sleeping bags. We specialize in making sure each customer gets exactly the right outdoor gear best-suited to their specific needs. It’s a great way to make a living working here, sharing our love of the outdoors and learning about the activities and adventures that keep our customers coming back.
People have fun here; the store has a lot of heart,and good humor too; we host lots of educational events and informative demos. Our fly tying workshops are very popular. Probably the most interesting event we’ve done were the open casting calls for the TV show “Survivor” – it was intense and we were mobbed but lots of folks discovered us that day and now are Backwoods regulars. We even have a store mascot – one afternoon a little duck from the pond next to us found its way into our back door – we helped him get back to the pond but he seemed right at home here.
We think of our store as the hub of a community. When we head up to Elk Lake City on a gear test camping trip, we’ll bring as many camping supplies as possible and there’s a 15 mile trail there that’s not like anything else in the area. We pack in and just set up camp along the trail, put all the equipment through its paces and try out everything so we can make great customer recommendations and have firsthand knowledge of our products.
So whether you live in the area or are passing through town, we’ll do our best to help you choose the best gear for your next adventure – it’s the Backwoods way.
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Kanopolis State Park started it all. The first Kansas state park has drawn visitors to eastern Ellsworth County since 1955. Situated in the rolling hills, bluffs and woods of the scenic Smoky Hills region of Kansas, Kanopolis is located 33 miles southwest of Salina.The park features a full-service marina, beaches, picnic areas and cabins, as well as trails for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking. More than 200 primitive campsites and 133 utility sites are located through the 14 campgrounds in the Langley Point and Horsethief areas. Buffalo Track Nature Trail is an enthralling 1.5-mile route rich in native plants and wildlife, as well as Native American history. Kanopolis offers 31 miles of trails, all of which start in the state park. The Rockin’ K trails take visitors to and from the Rockin’ K campgrounds. The Horsethief trails loop through canyons and trees. Farther north and west, the Prairie Trails traverse high prairie and Red Rock Canyon. The Alum Creek trails take visitors across vast prairie and through many water crossings. Be aware that it can take more than a day to complete some trails on foot.Kanopolis State Park also manages nearby Mushroom Rock State Park, a picnic area with unusual geologic formations that amaze first-time and return visitors alike. For more information checkout 
Elk City State Park is located 5 miles Northwest of Independence Kansas, or 113 miles Southeast of Wichita. Elk City has many activities including, Hiking, Backpacking, Fishing, Hunting, Camping, and sightseeing. Designated in 1967 as a wildlife area it has many habitat types that support a variety of wildlife. Fields of Big and Little Bluestem, Indian Grass, and Switchgrass make up this area of Bluestem Prairie. A prominent feature of the landscape is rock bluffs of limestone called Table Mound. It is one of the few places in the state that you can throw the backpack on your back and set up camp along the trail.
