Trip Planner: USA / Kansas / Lindsborg / Coronado Heights

Coronado Heights, Lindsborg

4.4

#15 of 50 in Parks in Kansas

Coronado Heights is a hill northwest of Lindsborg, Kansas. It is alleged to be near the place where Francisco Vásquez de Coronado gave up his search for the seven cities of gold and turned around to return to Mexico.Coronado Heights is one of a chain of seven sandstone bluffs in the Dakota Formation and rises approximately 300 feet.In 1915 a professor at Bethany College in Lindsborg found chain mail from Spanish armor at an Indian village excavation site a few miles southwest of the hill, and another Bethany College professor promoted the name of Coronado Heights for the hill. In 1920 the first road was built up the hill, known as Swensson Drive, with a footpath known as Olsson Trail. In 1936, a stone shelter resembling a castle was built on top of the hill as a project of the Works Progress Administration. In 1988 a sculpture by John Whitfield was placed half-way up the hill with the inscription "Coronado Heights 'A Place to Share'".The hill is now Coronado Heights Park, owned by the Smoky Valley Historical Association. Many visitors have carved their names or initials in the soft sandstone at the summit. It is possible to see for miles from the summit, and wildflowers bloom on the hill in spring and summer. In summer, there are many Cnemidophorus sexlineatus viridis lizards around the castle.

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Coronado Heights Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

113 reviews

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4.7

By Louis F On December 17, 2017

The castle looks like it does not belong in the middle of Kansas, which makes it even more of an interesting place to visit. The view at the top is very cool. You can climb to the top of the castle. T... more »
By ksufan88 On November 4, 2017

We stopped here near sunset during a road trip across the Kansas countryside. It is situated on a very high hill and offers a great view of the surrounding area. Access to it is via a short, uphill, w... more »
By Ronald D On October 24, 2017

I've been to Lindsborg more than half-a-dozen times and have never taken the time to visit, until just recently. It was a perfect, fall day with a good breeze. Located north of town on Coronado or Win... more »

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By Steve McDonald On January 2, 2018

My Mom grew up here as a kid and so we always came for the Hillingsfest. When I was 11, my Daddy and I went to Coronado Heights super early just to see the sun rise. Have you ever seen the sun dance on the horizon, if only for a moment? I have, and it was magical!

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By Keith Thompson On January 10, 2018

Fun place to ride. Trail's flow pretty well, some spots technical but not impossible to ride. Rides nice either direction. Watch out for hiker's

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By Timothy Kundiger On December 31, 2017

Had a nice visit. Thought it would be bigger and the road there was a little rough. Besides that it was fun.

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By Karl Sporleder On December 29, 2017

really great place, beautiful views an amazing stone monuments, picnic tables, Castle like building, stone steps great for a quick uphill climb..

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By Gabriel White On January 2, 2018

Very cool if you've never been there he should at least see it

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