Kansas Byways Guide

TO THE

OPEN ROAD Discovering the beautiful byways of our state

WHAT’S INSIDE kansas byways

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INTRODUCTION

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ROAD TRIP

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FLINT HILLS

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FRONTIER MILITARY

Your how-to blueprint of our 2024 Byways Guide Your map of the Kansas Byways National Scenic Byway Historic Byway

HILLS 12 GLACIAL Scenic Byway HILLS 15 GYPSUM Scenic Byway ROUTE 66 18 KANSAS Historic Byway & SKY 21 LAND Scenic Byway STONE 24 NATIVE Scenic Byway ROCK 27 POST Scenic Byway TRAIL 30 PRAIRIE Scenic Byway VALLEY 33 SMOKY Scenic Byway VISTAS 36 WESTERN Historic Byway & WILDLIFE 39 WETLANDS National Scenic Byway

ON THE COVER:

Kansas travelers exit along the Frontier Military Historic Byway to explore Wyandotte County Lake’s picturesque views and winding roads. Photograph by Nick Krug

TO THE

OPEN ROAD Discovering the beautiful byways of our state

A scenic spot just off the Frontier Military Historic Byway sits Wyandotte County Lake with over 1,500 acres of wooded area and a 400-acre lake.

Photograph by Nick Krug

INTRODUCTION

your how-to blueprint of our 2024 Byways Guide WITH MORE THAN 833 MILES OF ADVENTURE, the 12 Kansas Byways offer rich possibilities for weekend getaways, extended road trips, and rewarding side excursions.

Each byway is designed to highlight specific themes and attractions—from frontier history to beautiful natural landscapes—and that means different travelers will have different favorites.

This guide showcases what makes each byway unique so that you can prioritize exploring the routes that you will enjoy the most.

Here are some things you will want to keep in mind as you travel the Kansas Byways ...

Make sure you leave plenty of time to explore along the way. This guide provides you the routes and lists some of the attractions that we highly recommend. Plus each byway section includes a QR code that takes you to more ideas and details. You can also visit TravelKS.com and KansasByways.com for more detailed information about things to do in each community along the way.

You will notice that the byways are also divided into “scenic byways” and “historic byways.” In general, the byways with these designations will offer more of one aspect than the other, but the historic byways still have scenic stops and the scenic byways offer fascinating history.

How you travel the byway might also affect your choice of which byway to choose first. For motorcycle enthusiasts, for example, we have a motorcyclist’s guide to the byways at TravelKS.com/kickstands-up. If you plan to camp along the way, then look for one of the several byways that travel by a state park.

So ... where should you begin? Well, that depends on you and what you and your group of explorers want to see the most at any given time. But here’s the great thing about this choice—you can’t go wrong. Whether you choose to drive through the southwest or the northeast of the state, whether you choose a historic or a scenic byway, each of these byways is designed to educate, entertain, and inspire.

Here’s to hitting the roads! Here’s to the byways! Here’s To The Stars!

The Kansas Byways Program is administered by Kansas Tourism and the Kansas Department of Transportation.

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ROAD TRIP map of the Kansas Byways KansasByways.com

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Travel Information Center

State Park

Interstate Highway

U.S. Highway

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Kansas Byway

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Interstate Highway Route

U.S. Highway Route

FLINT HILLS national scenic byway

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getting there FLI

NT HILLS

Flint Hills National Scenic Byway runs on K-177 from Cassoday in the south (near I-35) to Council Grove in the north (near U.S. 56).

LENGTH 47.2 miles ROADWAYS Kansas Highway 177 CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ON AND NEAR ROUTE

Council Grove, Strong City, Cottonwood Falls, Bazaar, Matfield Green, and Cassoday

Morris County

COUNCIL GROVE

Lower Fox Creek School, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, near Strong City

Lyon County

T

Marion County

he prairie is a place of relaxation and unspoiled beauty for some. For others, it’s a little slice of heaven. You can’t help but admire the breathtaking scenery along the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway, but the journey is more than the rolling hills you’ll see. In these parts, the zest of small-town life is ingrained with the landscape. While the seasons may change the view, the steadfast communities will remain to protect this enchanting land and welcome you along the way.

STRONG CITY COTTONWOOD FALLS

BAZAAR

Chase County MATFIELD GREEN

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Butler County

Greenwood County

CASSODAY

FLINT H IL L S

Highlights TALLGRASS PRAIRIE NATIONAL PRESERVE, NEAR STRONG CITY The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is the only unit in the National Park Service dedicated to preserving a rare remnant of tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Cooperatively managed through public-private partnership with the Nature Conservancy, the preserve has more than 40 miles of hiking and nature trails along with nearly 11,000 acres of wide open space, beautiful vistas, seasonal wildflowers, wildlife, a bison herd, and plenty of solitude. Visitors can enjoy historic house tours of an 1880s limestone mansion, a massive three-story limestone barn, Lower Fox Creek one-room schoolhouse, and three front country nature trails. Cell phone tours of the historic buildings and prairie are available. During the summer, guided bus tours into the prairie are available daily. Bus tours are wheelchair accessible.

KAW MISSION STATE HISTORIC SITE (AND LAST CHANCE STORE STATE HISTORIC SITE), COUNCIL GROVE The historic building opened in 1851 and served for three years as a mission school for the state’s namesake tribe, the Kanza, now known as Kaw Nation of Oklahoma. The building was modernized in 1926 by the tenth child of the first missionary couple on site to include rare rosewood woodwork and crystal chandeliers. It is now a museum telling the history of the Kanza, the town of Council Grove, and the Santa Fe Trail, which passed through this area.

PIONEER BLUFFS, NEAR MATFIELD GREEN A nonprofit organization runs this location as a center for preserving and educating about Flint Hills ranching heritage. Visitors are invited to explore the 12 acres of this National Register Historic District that includes a barn, historic log cabin and nature trails.

Look for regularly scheduled lectures, concerts and other events at the center.

CHASE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, COTTONWOOD FALLS Built 1872–1873 on a $40,000 bond levy, this French Renaissance native limestone building is the oldest working courthouse in the state of Kansas. Native limestone, used in the building, has also been shipped to every state in the country where it may be found in scores of famous public structures, including the Capitol in Washington D.C., and the Topeka State Capitol. In 1971, the courthouse was entered in the National Register of Historic Places and the Register of Historic Kansas Places.

For more places to visit and detailed driving directions on Flint Hills National Scenic Byway KansasByways.com

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FRONTIER MILITARY historic byway

Fort Scott National Historic Site.

The fort was established in 1842.

LEAVENWORTH KANSAS CITY Wyandotte County Leavenworth County

Johnson County LOUISBURG

Miami County

PLEASANTON

Linn County

The Rookery is the oldest surviving building on Fort Leavenworth and the oldest continuously occupied residence in Kansas.

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FORT SCOTT

Bourbon County

he longest of the state byways, Frontier Military Historic Byway, follows a 19th-century trail used by the Army to transport soldiers and supplies across eastern Kansas. Running by the location of one of the largest cavalry battles of the Civil War and a military fort that is now a national historic site, this trail is rich in history. But modern attractions, museums, restaurants, and urban centers along the byway bring a sense of exciting modernity to historic-themed travel.

Crawford County PITTSBURG

Cherokee County

getting there FR

ON

TIER MILIT

Y AR

Frontier Military Historic Byway runs south to north, beginning in Baxter Springs on U.S. 69 Alt, then north to U.S. 69 and on to I-435 West. At exit 18, take K-5 North to K-7 North and on to the byway’s end near Fort Leavenworth.

LENGTH 168 miles ROADWAYS U.S. Highway 69 Alternate, U.S. Highway 69, Interstate 435, Kansas Highways 5 and 7

CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ON AND NEAR ROUTE Leavenworth, Lansing, Maltby, Wolcott, Edwardsville, Kansas City, Shawnee, Overland Park, Lenexa, Olathe, Stilwell, Louisburg, Linn Valley, Pleasanton, Prescott, Fulton, Fort Scott, Arma, Pittsburg, Riverton and Baxter Springs

BAXTER SPRINGS

FR O NTIE R M IL ITARY

Highlights

GORDON PARKS MUSEUM, FORT SCOTT The Gordon Parks Museum highlights the life and work of Kansas-born photographer Gordon Parks from his humble beginning in Fort Scott to his death in New York City in 2006.

Parks became the first African American photojournalist to work for LIFE magazine and the first African American to direct a major Hollywood production (The Learning Tree, 1968).

Besides being a photographer and filmmaker, he was also a writer, poet and composer. This 3,000 square foot museum, located in the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, houses Parks’ work and personal effects such as his desk, clothing, cameras, etc.

BAXTER SPRINGS HERITAGE CENTER AND MUSEUM, BAXTER SPRINGS This two-story museum tells local history with a flair. Exhibits include Route 66 (the famous U.S. highway runs through Baxter Springs), baseball history (Mickey Mantle played with the town’s minor league team Whiz Kids from 1947 to 1949), an extensive World War I and II display, exhibits about Indigenous tribes that resided in the area, and the African American experience in the region. Civil War buffs can pick up a map for the Baxter Springs Massacre & Fort Blair Driving Tour, which highlights locations related to the 1863 attack, also known as the Baxter Springs Massacre, by pro-Confederate guerrillas under William Quantrill.

MAHAFFIE STAGECOACH STOP AND FARM HISTORIC SITE, OLATHE The Mahaffie site is the only remaining stagecoach stop on the Santa Fe Trail preserved for the public.

Discover for yourself what life was like for the Mahaffies, their neighbors and westward-bound travelers in the years following the Civil War. Take a stagecoach ride, explore the 1865 Mahaffie house, lend a hand with farm chores, visit the animals, and listen to the blacksmith hammer iron.

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FORT LEAVENWORTH Founded in 1827, Fort Leavenworth is the oldest fort west of the Mississippi River in continuous operation and open to the public.

A key training center, Fort Leavenworth is also known as the “The Army University” and the “Best Hometown in the Army.” Fort Leavenworth is a national treasure with historic homes and buildings in the National Register of Historic Places.

President Abraham Lincoln established the fort’s national cemetery in 1862, and it is the final resting place for more than 23,000 veterans. The Frontier Army Museum tells the story from 1804, when Lewis and Clark passed through, to present day. The fort’s Buffalo Soldier Monument, dedicated in 1992

by General Colin Powell, honors the all-Black cavalry units that fought throughout the West and continued up to World War I.

GLACIAL HILLS scenic byway

getting there GL

A C I AL H I L L S

Glacial Hills Scenic Byway runs south to north on U.S. 73 and K-7, from Leavenworth to Atchison and beyond to Troy and White Cloud.

LENGTH 63 miles ROADWAYS U.S. Highway 73 and Kansas Highway 7

CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ON AND NEAR ROUTE Leavenworth, Atchison, Troy, Highland, and White Cloud

WHITE CLOUD HIGHLAND

Doniphan County

Brown County

TROY

A

long tranquil hills and rolling roads, sometimes the journey is the destination. The Glacial Hills Scenic Byway is a route that passes through landscapes created by time, wind, rain, and ancient glaciers. Each season becomes a time capsule highlighting this landscape hewn by time. With the transition from picturesque green hills in spring to vibrant foliage in autumn, this route is one you’ll want to view over and over again.

ATCHISON

Atchison County

LEAVENWORTH

Jefferson County

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Leavenworth County

G LAC IA L H IL L S

Highlights

VIEW FROM FOUR STATE LOOKOUT, WHITE CLOUD A viewing platform and a wheelchair accessible deck offer a panorama of the broad Missouri River Valley. On a clear day, you can see parts of four states: Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa.

The nearby tribal land of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska (also known as the Ioway or Báxoje) holds Casino White Cloud, as well as a convenience store that sells locally grown products.

C.W. PARKER CAROUSEL MUSEUM, LEAVENWORTH This historic museum features a working carousel and is dedicated to the work of Leavenworth-based carousel manufacturer C.W. Parker. Come for the ride on handcarved animals and figures, and tour the gift shop and museum featuring attractions such as a primitive Flying Horse Carousel thought to be the oldest carousel in America dating back to 1850–1860.

TALL OAK MONUMENT, TROY The “Tall Oak” monument sits in the courtyard of the Doniphan County Courthouse in Troy. Peter Toth created this monument as part of his series of related sculpture-tributes across the United States and Canada honoring the Indigenous cultures of North America.

Standing at 27 feet and made from burr oak, the monument incorporates regalia while honoring the Kickapoo Tribes, Iowa Tribes, Potawatomi Nations, and the Sac and Fox Nations. The 1906 Romanesqueinfluenced courthouse stands in the center of Troy’s historic district. Free brochures at the courthouse and online can guide you through a walking tour of the historic downtown.

AMELIA EARHART HANGAR MUSEUM, ATCHISON The Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum is the home of Muriel, the last remaining Lockheed Electra 10-E, the type of plane Amelia Earhart flew on her famed final flight around the world. This hybrid history and STEM museum tells Earhart’s story and teaches visitors about aviation and aerospace through interactive exhibits. While in Atchison, be sure to stop by the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum as well.

For more places to visit and detailed driving directions on Glacial Hills Scenic Byway KansasByways.com

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GYPSUM HILLS

scenic byway

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ith craggy canyons and vibrant red dirt, the earth around here looks a little different. The Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway is a landscape that is straight out of a Western film. Whimsical wildflowers dot the route in the springtime, adding a burst of color to this otherworldly landscape. In the winter, a snow-covered mesa with a pop of rust-colored soil underneath feels like an unusual, yet beautiful, sight. But this byway is more than a pretty face. The history of the area is preserved, ready for you to discover.

Pratt County Kiowa County

COLDWATER

MEDICINE LODGE

Comanche County

Barber County OKLAHOMA

getting there GY

PSUM HILLS

Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway runs east or west between Medicine Lodge and Coldwater on U.S. 160, with access from U.S. 183 in the west and U.S. 281 in the east. Additional access can be from highways passing near Harper on U.S. 160 east of the byway.

LENGTH 42 miles ROADWAY U.S. Highway 160

CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ON AND NEAR ROUTE Coldwater and Medicine Lodge

G Y PS U M H IL L S

Highlights

MEMORIAL PEACE PARK, MEDICINE LODGE Memorial Peace Park offers visitors unique green spaces and calming views of a magnificent prairie.

Improvement projects continue to bring added opportunities, such as hiking trails and campsites.

Memorial Peace Park hosts the Peace Treaty Festival the last weekend of every September. Events include the Medicine Lodge Intertribal Powwow, Kansas Championship Ranch Rodeo, historical melodrama, authentic Indigenous art from Native artists, trade show, live music, children’s activities, food and more.

Every three years the extravagant Peace Treaty Pageant historical reenactment joins the lineup, and 2024 is a pageant year!

MEDICINE LODGE STOCKADE MUSEUM AND CARRY NATION HOME, MEDICINE LODGE Visit a replica of an 1870s stockade, a fortified gathering place for pioneers seeking protection during the Western wars at the end of the 19th century.

The grounds contain a rebuilt 1877 log cabin, an 1886 jailhouse, and exhibits on cowboy culture, Indigenous leaders, bank robberies and other local history.

Admission to the Stockade Museum includes entrance to the neighboring Carry Nation Home, the residence of the famed axe-wielding, saloon-smashing prohibitionist and a National Historic Landmark. The museum holds memorabilia of Nation’s crusade against alcohol as well as her personal items.

GYPSUM HILLS TRAIL RIDES Located 10 miles west of Medicine Lodge, this family-owned trail riding and hiking operation allows people to bring their own equine and ride the ranch on most days of the year. Hikers are also permitted on the grounds to explore the beautiful Gypsum Hills LAKE COLDWATER, COLDWATER Owned and operated by the City of Coldwater, this 250-acre constructed lake sits within a 930acre park. Visitors can fish, enjoy water sports, and tour the hiking trails. Overnight stays are possible at tent sites, RV hookups or in one of the camp’s ADA-compliant cabins.

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KANSAS ROUTE 66

historic byway

The Brush Creek Marsh Arch “Rainbow” Bridge was completed in 1923 and is located on a county road that is part of the Kansas Route 66 Historic Byway route 3.4 miles north of Baxter Springs.

getting there KA

NSA

S ROUTE

66

Begin an east to west tour of Kansas Route 66 Historic Byway at the intersection of State Line Rd and MO-66. In Galena, take State Line Rd north to Front St, then Main St and on to 7th St. Take K-66 to Riverton and through the roundabout at U.S. 400, then on to Beasley Rd and Marsh Arch Bridge. In Baxter Springs, follow K-66 (also named 50th St, Willow Ave, 3rd St and Military Ave/U.S. 69A).

The byway ends at the Kansas-Oklahoma state line.

LENGTH 13.2 miles ROADWAYS Kansas Highway 66, Front Street,

Main Street, 7th Street, Beasley Road, 50th Street, Willow Avenue, and Military Ave/U.S. Highway 69 Alternate

CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ON AND NEAR ROUTE Galena, Riverton, and Baxter Springs

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Cherokee County Marsh Arch Bridge

RIVERTON

SE Beasley Rd 50th St

Willow Ave

BAXTER SPRINGS

OKLAHOMA KansasByways.com

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GALENA

MISSOURI

ansas Route 66 Historic Byway is one that families, young adventurers, and old souls alike won’t want to miss. Meet your favorite characters from Pixar’s “Cars” franchise, dig deep into the mining history of the area, take a photo on the last remaining “Rainbow Bridge” along the route, or grab a snack from Nelson’s Old Riverton Store. This iconic American road trip is waiting!

K ANSAS R O U TE 6 6

Highlights

GALENA MINING AND HISTORICAL MUSEUM, GALENA This free museum explores the city’s history as the oldest mining community in Kansas. Explore the importance of lead and zinc mining on the regional economy and culture, and view artifacts of daily life from the past, such as antique cars, mining equipment, and a blacksmith’s working tools.

NELSON’S OLD RIVERTON STORE, RIVERTON This grocery and deli shop has been operating since 1925 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Stop in for supplies, a fresh-made sandwich, a slice of pie, a cool drink, or Route 66 memorabilia.

KANSAS ROUTE 66 VISITORS CENTER, BAXTER SPRINGS Open seasonally from March to November, this historic 1930 gas station is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. and serves as a gateway for information, souvenirs and more about Route 66 and local attractions. The visitors center is managed by Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum, a 20,000 square foot museum sharing the region’s history.

GEARHEAD CURIOS, GALENA This retro Texaco oil station was built in 1939 and continues to operate as a gift shop, art gallery, ideal selfie background, and gathering spot along Route 66.

Gearhead Curios also boasts one of the most unique public restrooms along Route 66 and a wall of license plates from around the world.

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LAND & SKY

scenic byway

NEBRASKA

ST. FRANCIS

Cheyenne County

GOODLAND

Sherman County

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he horizon here is where the vast open sky meets gently rolling fields of grain. The spotlight is on the fields and farmers that feed the world along the Land & Sky Scenic Byway, but the soil isn’t the only place you can find deep roots. Our communities are full of the dedicated folks who bring your food from farm to table, larger than life roadside attractions, and amazing landscapes that will leave road trippers speechless.

getting there LAN

D & SKY

WESKAN

SHARON SPRINGS

Comanche County Wallace County Land & Sky Scenic Byway runs on K-27 from U.S. 40 in Sharon Springs north to the Kansas-Nebraska state line. The byway can be accessed from I-70, exit 17.

LENGTH 88 miles

CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ON AND NEAR ROUTE

ROADWAYS Kansas Highway 27

Sharon Springs, Bird City, Weskan, Goodland, and St. Francis

BIRD CITY

LAN D & S K Y

Highlights ARIKAREE BREAKS This area in north Cheyenne County of rough, stunning terrain features deep ravines and gullies formed by winddeposited sand, silt, and clay particles, called loess. The breaks are 36 miles long and approximately two to three miles wide. They extend into Rawlins County and several miles into Colorado. There are several public roads through the breaks, giving visitors some outstanding views of this rugged wonder.

Visitors are asked to respect the land owners by remaining on the public roads.

ST FRANCIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM, ST FRANCIS Opened in 2016 after the fewer than 1,500 residents of St. Francis raised over $350,000 to construct a building that would house an invaluable private motorcycle collection, the St. Francis Motorcycle Museum exhibits Harleys, Reading Standards, Excelsior, Indian, Ace, Flying Merkel, Yale and Jefferson bikes. The museum also boasts a Cushman from WWII, set up with its parachute, which the U.S. deployed from planes during the war.

THE BIG EASEL & VAN GOGH PAINTING, GOODLAND Canadian artist Cameron Cross installed his giant sculpture, with its 24x32foot canvas and 80-foot easel, in 2001 as the third experimental sculpture paying tribute to Van Gogh while also celebrating the sunflower as a universal image of life, hope, and renewal. The painting, easily visible from I-70, stands in a public park complex.

MT. SUNFLOWER, NEAR WESKAN True, Mount Sunflower, with the highest elevation in Kansas, is not a terribly difficult climb. But that doesn’t mean the view is any less photo-worthy.

Located on private land, but open to the public, the gentlerising slope can be scaled by almost anyone without mobility limitations to discover a beautiful view of the Kansas prairie, particularly at sunrise or sunset. Located along the Land & Sky Scenic Byway and near the stunning Arikaree Breaks, Mount Sunflower is a Kansas bucket-list destination with several rewards along the way.

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NATIVE STONE

scenic byway

getting there NA

TIVE STONE

Native Stone Scenic Byway runs east to west beginning east of Dover at the intersection of K-4 and Glick Road. The route follows Kansas highways 4, 99, 18, and 177 and ends at I-70, exit 313.

LENGTH 75 miles ROADWAYS Kansas Highways 4, 99, 18 and 177

CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ON AND NEAR ROUTE Dover, Eskridge, Alma, Wabaunsee, Wamego and Manhattan

Alma is the City of Native Stone. The Wabaunsee County Historical Society & Museum and several retail businesses are located in stone buildings.

Jackson County

Riley County

S

Pottawatomie County WAMEGO MANHATTAN

WABAUNSEE

Wabaunsee County Geary County

ALMA

DOVER

ESKRIDGE

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Shawnee County

tone barns and roughhewn fences make you realize that sometimes our most visible traditions are rooted right under our feet. Locally quarried limestone is the cornerstone of the Native Stone Scenic Byway. The beautiful blond stonework is more than an aesthetic choice in these parts, it’s a part of our history and heritage.

Travelers will find this stone in all its forms, from its natural state along hillsides to its finished splendor in iconic architecture. Remember to take time to appreciate the ingenuity and craftsmanship of previous generations.

NAT IV E S TO N E

Highlights KONZA PRAIRIE BIOLOGICAL STATION, MANHATTAN Open daily from dawn to dusk, the trails (2.5 miles, 4.4 miles and 6 miles) lead visitors through 8,600 acres of the beautiful Flint Hills.

Kansas State University Division of Biology manages the land, which is owned by the Nature Conservancy. Extensive research is conducted here on prairie ecosystems. Trails are for humans only; no pets and no bikes.

LAKE WABAUNSEE, NEAR ESKRIDGE Kansas Emergency Relief Corporation (a state agency similar to the national Civilian Conservation Corps) completed this spring-fed lake of 235 acres in 1937. During World War II, Lake Wabaunsee housed German prisoners of war, many of whom worked at local farms. The lake is open to visitors, and permits can be purchased for fishing, camping, and boating.

BEECHER BIBLE AND RIFLE CHURCH, WABAUNSEE When the Kansas-Nebraska Act passed in May 1854, it allowed Kansans to have a say about whether theirs would be a free or a slave state. Many from outside the state came to Kansas to influence that decision. One group, known as the ConnecticutKansas Colony, arrived with Sharps rifles and 25 Bibles provided by the congregation of Henry Ward Beecher, the well-known minister from Brooklyn, New York. The colonists joined with earlier settlers and founded a church in Wabaunsee in late June 1857, now called the Beecher Bible and Rifle Church.

MOUNT MITCHELL HERITAGE PRAIRIE PARK, NEAR WAMEGO Open year-round from dawn to dusk, this 166-acre park is part of the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area and is a recognized site of the National Park Service Network to Freedom Program commemorating the Underground Railroad. The prairie was once part of the farm of Captain William Mitchell, who was active in the western-most route of the Underground Railroad, which runs through the park. The site’s hilltop prairie overlooking the Kansas River Valley has been sacred to Indigenous peoples for hundreds of generations, and visitors are asked to be respectful.

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POST ROCK scenic byway

getting there POS

T ROCK

Post Rock Scenic Byway runs south to north on K-232. Access the byway from I-70, exit 206, and take K-232 south two miles to Wilson. Retrace the route back to I-70 and continue north on K-232 to Lucas.

LENGTH 18 miles ROADWAYS Kansas Highway 232 CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ON AND NEAR ROUTE Lucas and Wilson

Lincoln County LUCAS

T

he prairies of Kansas are filled with a quiet beauty, but our rolling hills are not naturally filled with timber-bearing trees. As this area transformed into a haven for grazing cattle, ranchers looked to local natural resources for solutions to fencing needs. Thus, the icons of the Post Rock Scenic Byway were created. Many of these historic limestone post rocks remain as tributes to those who came before, and travelers will get to witness how history has begun to blend in with a quirky, artistic future.

Russell County

WILSON

Ellsworth County

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PO S T R O C K

Highlights GARDEN OF EDEN, LUCAS This museum preserves the concrete sculptures and self-taught artistry of Civil War veteran S.P. Dinsmoor. One of the nation’s oldest intact ensembles of folk art, the Garden of Eden reveals the eccentricity and artistic vision of its creator in every square foot of the property. Some 117 years after it was begun, the Garden of Eden continues to be art with an extreme wow factor.

GRASSROOTS ART CENTER, LUCAS A celebration of selftaught, outsider artists, the Grassroots Art Center displays works in traditional media as well as recycled and found-pieces sculptures, mobiles, toys, and more. The center also sponsors workshops, symposiums, concerts and other events.

WORLD’S LARGEST CZECH EGG, WILSON Some 20 feet in height, this traditionally painted egg (kraslice method) sits at a place of honor in the center of Wilson. An informative sign explains the traditions and heritage behind the artwork.

WILSON STATE PARK Wilson State Park offers beautiful scenery and trails in the heart of the Smoky Hills. The lake is popular with anglers, and the trails offer something for everyone, from the challenging 25.5-mile long Switchgrass Bike Trail for mountain bikers to the easily accessible, concrete-surface one-mile loop walking trail. Like many of the state parks, Wilson offers on-site cabin rentals and plenty of sites for RV or tent camping.

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PRAIRIE TRAIL

scenic byway

View from the castle on Coronado Heights, located northwest of Lindsborg.

getting there PR

AIRIE TRAIL

Begin a west to east tour of Prairie Trail Scenic Byway where K-156 intersects with I-70, exit 225. The route follows Kansas highways 156, 140, 141, and 4, and several county roads from Lindsborg to the byway’s end at U.S. 56 in Canton.

LENGTH 80 miles ROADWAYS Kansas Highways 156, 140, 141, and 4; McPherson County 14th Avenue, Smoky Valley Road, and 27th Avenue

CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ON AND NEAR ROUTE Ellsworth, Kanopolis, Carneiro, Langley, Marquette, Lindsborg, Roxbury, and Canton

Maxwell Wildlife Refuge

T

allgrass waving in the wind. Bison herds grazing. The chirp of crickets on a warm summer’s eve. The wild spirit of the prairie lives on in the preserved lands and the souls of those at home along the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway. Nature lovers, history buffs, and gearheads alike will find themselves immersed along the way. Captivating landscapes and curved roads make for a peaceful scenic drive, but whether you explore on two or four wheels is up to you.

ELLSWORTH

CARNEIRO

Saline County

KANOPOLIS

Ellsworth County

LINDSBORG MARQUETTE

ROXBURY

LANGLEY CANTON

Rice County

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McPherson County

PR AI R IE TR AIL

Highlights

KANOPOLIS STATE PARK The picturesque Kanopolis State Park provides opportunities for watersports, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.

With more than 200 campsites, it offers an ideal overnight stay or simply a vast area for groups to stretch their legs and enjoy the natural scenery of the surrounding Smoky Hills.

KANSAS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM, MARQUETTE Initially created around the personal collection of Marquette’s own champion motorcyclist, “Stan the Man” Engdahl, the museum now features more than 100 vintage and rare motorcycles. In May, the museum also hosts the annual Thunder on the Smoky Motorcycle Rally.

MUSHROOM ROCK STATE PARK, NORTH OF KANOPOLIS LAKE Mushroom Rock State Park gets its name from the unique geologic rock formations of Dakota sandstone found there that resemble mushrooms. This five-acre park consists of two mushroom pedestals and numerous other rock formations. It is free to the public.

LINDSBORG Lindsborg celebrates its rich Swedish heritage with seasonal festivals and year-round shops and restaurants featuring Swedish cuisine and customs. Look for traditional Swedish Dala horse statues and decorations around the town. The city is also home to the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, dedicated to contemporary creations and the work of an influential Swedish-born artist who studied in France and brought his interpretation of pointillism to Kansas in 1894.

For more places to visit and detailed driving directions on Prairie Trail Scenic Byway KansasByways.com

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SMOKY VALLEY scenic byway

A

s the sun begins to rise, the valley’s endless horizons awake slowly in a blue haze. And as the sun sets along the Smoky Valley Scenic Byway, those same hills fade into smoky azure. This scenic loop is filled with unexpected landscapes and colorful flora. Those wishing to unplug and unwind can find peace in the silence of the hills. Others who enjoy flexing their observational prowess may relish the area’s geocaching culture.

There’s not a wrong way to experience this route.

Trego County WAKEENEY

RANSOM

OGALLAH

BROWNELL

Ness County

getting there SM

O K Y VA L L E Y

Smoky Valley Scenic Byway begins in WaKeeney where U.S. 283 intersects with I-70, exit 127. The route follows U.S. 283 South to K-4 East to K-147 North and the byway’s end near I-70, exit 135.

LENGTH 60 miles ROADWAYS U.S. Highway 283, Kansas Highways 4 and 147 CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ON AND NEAR ROUTE WaKeeney, Ransom, Brownell, and Ogallah

SMO K Y VA L L E Y

Highlights

WAKEENEY, THE CHRISTMAS CITY OF THE HIGH PLAINS WaKeeney is one of the most lit-up cities during the holiday season. The tradition began in 1950 and continues strong today.

From the Saturday following Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, a magnificent 35-foot tree of fresh pine greenery rests under a canopy of blue lights in the middle of the intersection at Main and Russell Avenue. In addition, four square blocks around the tree are draped with greenery, handcrafted wreaths, bells, and stars, and, of course, more lights. The entire display is made up of approximately 3 miles of electrical wiring, 1,400 pounds of fresh greenery, and 1,100 yards of garland. The entire downtown business district is also outlined with LED color-changing perimeter lights yearround, and visitors arriving outside the holiday season can still visit the North Pole and see the Christmas murals.

Other stops include Shiloh Vineyard & Winery and an F-14 Tomcat fighter jet that appeared in the original Top Gun movie.

WILCOX SCHOOL, SOUTH OF WAKEENEY Just 16 miles south of WaKeeney, the Wilcox School sits north of the Smoky Hill River and was built with stone from nearby quarries. The school’s recently installed historic panels tell about the region and the building’s history. The schoolhouse was also a regional center for activities such as voting and community meetings.

CASTLE ROCK A column of calcareous limestone rises from the prairie, giving an appearance from a distance of an old English castle. Millions of years ago, this area was covered by an ocean, which left behind deposits of chalk bluffs and beds. Formations such as Castle Rock testify to the land’s transformation and ancient connections.

CEDAR BLUFF STATE PARK AND RESERVOIR, SOUTH OF OGALLAH The park boasts two recreation areas encompassing 1,100 acres along the shore of Cedar Bluff Reservoir. Adventurers will enjoy a stunning view of the lake from the top of the 150-foothigh limestone bluffs. With recreational trails, fishing, newly renovated camping sites, popular bike trails, an archery range, BMX track, boat ramps, and playgrounds, this park is a favorite outdoors destination.

For more places to visit and detailed driving directions on Smoky Valley Scenic Byway KansasByways.com

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WESTERN VISTAS historic byway

Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park

getting there WE

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N VIST

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Western Vistas Historic Byway runs west to east beginning in Sharon Springs at the intersection of U.S. 40 and K-27. The route follows U.S. 40, U.S. 83, and K-95 and ends on U.S. 83 just north of Scott City.

LENGTH 102 miles ROADWAYS U.S. Highways 40 and 83, and Kansas Highway 95

CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ON AND NEAR ROUTE

Sharon Springs, Wallace, McAllaster, Winona, Page City, Monument, Oakley, and Scott City

Monument Rocks

PAGE CITY

MONUMENT

OAKLEY

WINONA

T

he plains now filled with oceans of prairie and waves of amber grain once looked very different in ancient times. Kansas was once a vast inland sea filled to the brim with aquatic life. When the water receded, erosion and a little bit of luck left behind patches of otherworldly landscapes and formations that will make your jaw drop to the former deep-sea floor. The rugged landscape of the Western Vistas Historic Byway blends with the historic, and prehistoric, to create an adventure unlike any other.

MCALLASTER

SHARON SPRINGS

WALLACE

Wallace County

Logan County

Scott County SCOTT CITY

KansasByways.com

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WESTE R N V ISTAS

Highlights

FORT WALLACE MUSEUM, WALLACE Fort Wallace Museum brings alive stories of the Smoky Hill Trail, centering on Native nations, Fort Wallace, the Kansas Pacific Railway and the frontier boom-town era. Several fossils are on display, as well as the replica of a plesiosaur named Elasmosaurus that was discovered in Logan County in 1867. The museum complex includes an outbuilding housing two restored Conestoga Wagons, a renovated and relocated Bethany Lutheran Church from the Swedish immigrant community of Stockholm (near Weskan), and more.

FOSSIL MUSEUMS: KEYSTONE GALLERY, NORTH OF SCOTT CITY, AND FICK FOSSIL AND HISTORY MUSEUM, OAKLEY Housed in a historic limestone building, the Keystone Gallery holds a museum gallery of fossils as well as a souvenir shop for fossils, minerals, paintings, photographs and other works of art dedicated to regional history and geography. The Fick Fossil and History Museum boasts a wide collection of fossils, rocks, and minerals, as well as exhibits on local history, including a sod house and replicas of Oakley’s first depot and general store.

EL CUARTELEJO RUINS AT HISTORIC LAKE SCOTT STATE PARK, NORTH OF SCOTT CITY Pueblo communities fleeing war and occupation in the 1600s in what is now New Mexico built pueblo homes in this valley area, which is now Historic Lake Scott State Park.

The pueblo remains were discovered and excavation began in 1898. The digs revealed stone and bone tools, pottery from the pueblos of the Southwest, large quantities of burned corn, and the stone foundation of an adobe pueblo.

No other pueblo sites have been located this far north and east. The site is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is designated a National Historic Landmark.

JERRY THOMAS GALLERY & COLLECTION AND EL QUARTELEJO MUSEUM, SCOTT CITY Combined under one roof, these two museums focus on regional history and culture. The Jerry Thomas Gallery & Collection features Western-themed paintings, prints and sculptures created by Jerry Thomas and available for purchase. The El Quartelejo Museum focuses on three epochs of regional history, going back 85 million years to the Cretaceous period, examining pre-recorded history, and concluding with the arrival of Euro-American settlers.

For more places to visit and detailed driving directions on Western Vistas Historic Byway KansasByways.com

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WETLANDS & WILDLIFE national scenic byway

Cheyenne Bottoms

getting there W

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LA

NDS & WILD

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Begin a north-south tour of Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway in Hoisington at the intersection of U.S. 281 and K-4. The route includes K-4 and K-156 and many county roads. The byway ends on NE 70th St just east of U.S. 281. (Detailed driving directions can be accessed via the QR code on page 41.)

LENGTH 77 miles ROADWAYS Kansas Highways 4 and 156, and several county roads in Barton, Stafford, and Reno counties.

CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ON AND NEAR ROUTE

Hoisington, Claflin, Great Bend, Ellinwood, Hudson, Stafford, and St. John Big Salt Marsh

Rice County

Barton County HOISINGTON

CLAFLIN NE 100th Ave

GREAT BEND

NE 60th Ave

ELLINWOOD

SE 60th Ave

Rush County

T

he sun setting over our signature marshes may look like the sky is aflame, but you’ll find that life is sustained here, not destroyed. The Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway crosses the Central Flyway, a great highway in the sky that brings in winged creatures large and small during their cross-country migrations. Keep your eyes peeled during your stops and along the roads; wildlife and wonders await for those who flock here to explore.

NE 40th Ave

Pawnee County

Stafford County NE 140th St

NE 70th St

ST. JOHN KansasByways.com

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Reno County

Raymond Rd

HUDSON

WET LAND S & W IL D L IF E

Highlights

CHEYENNE BOTTOMS Navigate Cheyenne Bottoms on a self-guided driving tour and abandon all your old ideas about Kansas being flat and dry. The marsh is refuge for the bald eagle and the majestic and endangered whooping crane. Don’t miss the Cheyenne Bottoms Scenic Overlook, with breathtaking views of the landscape.

KANSAS WETLANDS EDUCATION CENTER, GREAT BEND Visit the Kansas Wetlands Education Center to learn more about the enchanting ecosystem surrounding you. Exhibits include hands-on activities, historical and cultural artifacts, and art inspired by the beauty of the Kansas wetlands. Explore the nature trail through the nearby woods, listening for the sound of songbirds and watching for monarchs and foxes.

UNDERGROUND TUNNELS AND HISTORIC WOLF HOTEL, ELLINWOOD Come into the Historic Wolf Hotel & Events Center to spend the evening, visit the souvenir shop and then access the city’s underground tunnels. Built in the late 1870s and 1880s, the underground tunnels housed a few businesses and provided a hideaway for saloons and bars during Prohibition.

BIG SALT MARSH, QUIVIRA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE One of the Midwest’s rare inland saltwater marshes, Big Salt Marsh provides a home for badgers, beavers, white-tailed deer, prairie dogs, reptiles, least tern and snowy plover. It features plenty of pull-outs and photo blinds to light up your social media shares, plus an observation tower rising eight feet above the land. Take Big Salt Marsh Wildlife Drive through the marshes and along cattail-bordered lakes.

For more places to visit and detailed driving directions on Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway KansasByways.com

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Where the detour becomes the destination.

Twelve byways. Twelve planned Kansas road trips featuring views for days and captivating experiences you can’t find anywhere else.

The Kansas experience is a salute to the adventurous.

To the wide-eyed wanderers. To the dreamers. To the stars.

Visit TravelKS.com/Byways to plan your Kansas road trip.