8 Most Scenic Small Towns In Kansas For Nature Lovers
While many nature lovers write off Kansas due to its flat and uninspiring landscape, this image of the Sunflower State is a mere misconception. Although leveled plains are indeed a Kansas signature, these landscapes are anything but dull. Rich in texture, color, and wildlife, these prairies offer a sacred look at the once-vast ecosystem that covered much of North America.
Even more noteworthy, Kansas is far from the sprawling pancake people envision. Throughout the state, nature lovers can unveil diverse and rugged landscapes and landforms, from rolling hills and towering cliffs to wind-swept rock formations and expansive lakes. With scenic small towns as your home base, these extraordinary sites and scenes are among the prettiest in the country, inviting you to discover a different side of Kansas.
Oakley
Midway through the Western Vistas Historic Byway, Oakley is the perfect pitstop for jaw-dropping landscapes and geologic formations. Set in the heart of northwest Kansas, the town is a gateway to landmarks like Monument Rocks, Kansas' first National Natural Monument. A fossil-finding hotspot, the ancient chalk deposit stretches up to 50 feet high, living up to its reputation as “one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas.”
Oakley is also a gateway to rugged landscapes like Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. Open year-round, the 332-acre area showcases dramatic chalk formations across a former seascape. Its two hiking paths, the Overlook Trail and Life on the Rocks Trail, feature absolutely breathtaking overlooks. Along the way, native wildlife can be spotted as well, including reptiles clinging to rocks and ferruginous hawks flying overhead.
Brookville
Majestic rock formations can also be enjoyed in Brookville, a gateway to the wonders of Mushroom Rock State Park. Home to under 300 locals as of 2023, this tiny town would be easy to miss if it were not for its offbeat backyard. Much like Oakley, Mushroom Rock State Park is considered one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography. It is the smallest state park in the state, just 5 acres in size. However, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in its strange and wonderful natural landmarks.
The park’s mushroom-shaped rock formations are an extraordinary result of erosion and time. Remnants of the Cretaceous Period, the sedimentary rock and sandstone are naturally cemented together by calcium carbonate, forming the mushroom “caps” and “stems.” Visitors can hike paths like the North Trail to Pulpit Rock, the largest of the mushrooms, which measures 27 feet in diameter. The shade from its “cap” also makes it a delightful picnic spot. Alternatively, the park’s South Trail follows a scenic bridge to a smaller mushroom formation, unobstructed by trees or hills. TripAdvisor users suggest visiting at sunset for the best photography conditions and prettiest views.
Marquette
A half-hour south of Brookville, Marquette is another tiny town with a legendary backyard. With the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway running toward it, the drive in is as beautiful as the destination. Waterfront views then reward your journey, with the Smoky Hill River bordering town. However, Marquette’s best natural attraction is still a short drive away. Continuing along the Scenic Byway, just northwest of Marquette, Kanopolis Lake State Park awaits with some of the prettiest natural scenes in the state.
Set in the Smoky Hills Region, the 1,585-acre park features a gorgeous mosaic of bluffs, woodlands, and rolling hills. Beyond its fame as the first state park in Kansas, the park is known for its outdoor recreation, boasting over 30 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails. At the heart of it all, Kanopolis Lake anchors the park. The 3,500-acre reservoir is a popular boating and angling lake, stocked with crappie, white bass, saugeye, and trout.
Wilson
Wilson, a north-central Kansas town, is also located in the picturesque Smoky Hills, a region known for its grasslands and hillsides. In the heart of the Hills, Wilson State Park is centered around Wilson Lake. The reservoir, often called “Kansas’ Most Scenic Lake,” is known for its clear waters and rugged surroundings. Encompassing around 9,000 acres, the reservoir’s 100-mile shore is bordered by dramatic outcrops and cliffs, best viewed from hiking trails like the Wilson Lake Loop.
For a more close-up view of the lake, the Rock Town Trail promises waterfront views with a twist. Beginning in the Lucas Park campground, the route carries hikers through a hilly landscape before descending a valley wall. From here, adventurers can enjoy a portion of the shores, along with towering sandstone formations along the water’s edge. Alternatively, travelers can also explore the lake by canoe, paddleboard, or kayak with rentals from the Knotheads Bait & Tackle Shop. As the name implies, anglers can also purchase bait and fishing essentials here, in case you forgot your hooks, rod, or tackle at home.
Scott City
Attracting history buffs, nature lovers, and wildlife enthusiasts alike, Scott City is known for its fusion of history and nature. Following the Western Vistas Historic Byway, Historic Lake Scott State Park is “one of the country's 50 must-see state parks,” according to National Geographic. A paradise of canyons, bluffs, and natural springs, the 1,020-acre area is nothing short of an oasis for wildlife. Bison, for instance, can be observed from spots like the Lake Scott Ranger Station office.
Nearby, the 100-acre spring-fed Scott State Fishing Lake features a swimming beach and watercraft rentals. Back on land, nature trails like the Lake Scott West Loop offer a picturesque bird’s-eye view of the lake. History enthusiasts can also enjoy sites like El Cuartelejo, which features the ruins of a Native American pueblo, and the Steele Home, a limestone house preserved from the 1890s. About one mile south of the park, Battle Canyon is the perfect follow-up, showcasing canyon vistas as dramatic as the war that took place here. The 1878 battle was the last between Natives and US troops in Kansas, marked by an on-site monument.
Strong City
With just a few hundred people calling it home, Strong City is an ideal retreat for nature lovers looking to escape large crowds. While the small city swells to over 20,000 during its annual June rodeo, otherwise, it remains secluded and serene. The Chase County community is tucked away in the beautiful Flinthills along the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway. Much like Marquette, the journey to Strong City is as charming as the town itself.
The greatest beauty, however, lies in Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, an 11,000-acre ecosystem. While tallgrass prairie once spanned 170 million acres across North America, under 4% remains today, with the majority in the Kansas Flint Hills. Visitors can enjoy the preserve’s serenity and solitude, whether exploring its 40 miles of nature paths, catch-and-release fishing along Fox Creek, or wildlife watching on the Scenic Overlook Trail. Along this trail, visitors can also enter Windmill Pasture to see herds of bison grazing.
Stafford
Often called the “Gateway to Quivira,” Stafford is another rural town with a spectacular backyard. The affectionate nickname comes from Stafford’s proximity to the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, a reserve founded in 1955 to protect important habitats for migratory waterfowl. Listed as a Wetland of Global Importance, the 22,000-acre refuge is a vital stop on the Central Flyway bird migration route.
The refuge features a unique mix of sand prairie and rare inland salt marsh, with plenty of ways to explore the landscape. The Auto Tour Route allows visitors to explore the refuge from end to end, with several places to stop along the way. There are also countless nature paths to explore on foot, including popular routes like the Birdhouse Boulevard Nature Trail and Little Salt Marsh Trail. The latter leads to a great fishing spot, available on the north and east ends of Little Salt Marsh. The preserve’s best feature, however, is birding. Over 300 species have been spotted in the area, including thousands of sandhill cranes and up to 750,000 geese during peak migration.
Paola
As the closest town to Hillsdale State Park, Paola is one of the best spots in Kansas for lake recreation and summer fun. The park overlooks Hillsdale Lake, one of the newest reservoirs in the state. The man-made waterway was completed in 1982 as part of the flood control plan for the Missouri River and Osage basins. However, the 4,500-acre lake is mainly known for its beauty, recreation, and surrounding scenes.
51 miles of shoreline can be fished on Hillsdale Lake, while others may prefer to rent a boat at the local Jayhawk Marina. Guests can also rent kayaks from the Scott Creek Campground from April through October. Equestrians are equally drawn to Hillsdale State Park during these warmer months, with 48 miles of natural riding trails to explore. Hikers and bikers, on the other hand, can enjoy 5 miles of scenic trails with gorgeous views of the lake and native wildlife, from bald eagles to white-tailed deer.
Calling All Nature Lovers: Discover These Scenic Kansas Towns In 2025
With outdoor enthusiasts flocking to mountainous states like Colorado and coastal states like Maine, Kansas is not always at the top of their travel list. However, for nature lovers seeking serenity, seclusion, and breathtaking scenes, the Sunflower State is worth traveling off the beaten path for.
Whether exploring ancient badlands in Oakley or visiting Stafford during its peak bird migration, the nature and wildlife in Kansas are among the most underrated and most scenic in the country. If you still hold an image of Kansas as a flat and dull wasteland, one visit to any of these towns will have you convinced otherwise.
