8 Most Scenic Drives in Kansas

Kansas does scenic drives especially well, from bison-filled prairie refuges to sprawling wetlands alive with migratory birds. Along the Prairie Trail Byway, Brookville stands out for Mushroom Rock State Park, where mushroom-shaped sandstone formations create one of the state’s most unusual roadside stops. On the Glacial Hills Byway, Atchison is worth the detour for the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, a preserved historic home that offers a close look at the famed aviator’s early life. For travelers who want to see the state at its best, these eight drives deliver some of the most memorable views and stops in Kansas.

Prairie Trail Byway

The Prairie Trail Byway is an 80-mile drive, bookended by Ellsworth (beginning on I-70 exit 225 for K-156) and Canton. This drive is chock-full of preserved lands, state parks, and prairies full of tall grass and bison. Beginning the drive in Ellsworth, animal lovers can pull off at the Svaty Ranch and Public Off-Range Pasture to tour the expansive ranch and interact with all of the horses there. If you have extra time and are in the mood for a movie, as you drive through Kanopolis, you can go to the Kanopolis Drive-In Theatre and kick off your shoes there. From there, in Brookville, visit Mushroom Rock State Park, which features sandstone sedimentary rocks that form mushroom-like shapes. As you continue on the route, Lindsborg is up next, where you can grab a much-needed pick-me-up from The White Peacock Tea & Coffee Shop before strolling through the small Swedish town. Wrap up the drive in Canton and check out the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge and Bison Tour for serene views of the wildlife and remind yourself of the natural beauties Kansas has to offer.

Glacial Hills Byway

The Glacial Hills Scenic Byway is a 63-mile route known for its plush rolling hills and breathtaking scenic views. Formed mostly from melted ancient glaciers, this route is both historic and gorgeous. You can take the Glacial Hills byway south to north, picking up on US-73 and KS-7, starting in Leavenworth, running all the way through Atchison, Troy, Highland, and wrapping up in White Cloud. Kicking off the drive in Leavenworth, for history buffs alike, you can visit the historic Fort Leavenworth, the oldest continuously active military reservation west of the Mississippi River (A government-issued photo ID is required to enter the fort, i.e., driver's license).

Continuing north, Atchison is next on the drive, here you can stop to see more rich history at the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum; (a fully functioning site where you can explore where Amelia Earhart grew up). As you pass through Troy, check out places Lewis and Clark once visited at the Lewis and Clark Commemorative Marker or even stop by the Doniphan County Farmer's Market (open the 2nd Saturday each month, 9 to 12 pm). With all of that driving, you will work up quite the appetite; stop by Kirkwood & Co Table & Tap for a quality burger before concluding the drive in White Cloud at the gorgeous Four State Lookout.

Post Rock Byway

For a shorter, yet still beautiful drive, the Post Rock Byway is the one for you. This 18-mile stretch, which covers two major towns, is known for its historic limestone post rocks, which serve as tributes to those who came before, and for its quiet, grass-filled beauty. The route begins at the intersection of K-18 and K-232 in Lucas, Kansas, and the south route travels toward Wilson, Kansas. The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things Roadside Attraction & Museum is one of the first attractions you can hit in Lucas. It is quite the mouthful, but features everything you expect from the title and more! Along the route, you will drive past Wilson Lake and stunning rock formations. Once you enter Wilson, you can pull off and see the World’s Largest Czech Egg, a huge Czech egg erected as a roadside attraction to honor the town’s Czech roots.

Western Vistas Byway

The Western Vistas Byway offers a more rugged landscape to enjoy on a 102-mile drive. This byway is leftover flat plains and other chalk formations formed after receding waters and erosion. These plains were once where pioneers hunted bison and cowboys roamed freely. Now, the 102-mile drive beginning in Sharon Springs and concluding in Scott City has an array of museums and natural landmarks along the drive. Beginning in Sharon Springs at the intersection of US40 and K27, start your drive with a full belly after visiting Penny’s Diner, a classic '50s chrome diner with fun, nostalgic decor and delicious food to match. Then continue the drive along US 40 toward Oakley, and then veer south along US 83 toward Scott City. Along the route, you will pass by the iconic Monument Rocks Natural Landmark, and at the end of the drive, check out Duff's Buffalo Ranch Tours and the natural springs at Historic Lake Scott State Park and Wildlife Area.

Gypsum Hills Byway

The Gypsum Hills Byway is defined by its vivid red soil and rugged canyons. This 42-mile route between Coldwater and Medicine Lodge is best known for its sweeping views of rolling native-grass hills, mesas, and buttes. Starting from the east in Medicine Lodge (picked up at US 281), visit the historic Stockade Museum & Carry Nation Home in Medicine Lodge, which goes over Carry Nation’s rich history and connection to Kansas. Once in Coldwater, you can grab a bite at Dave’s Pizza Oven and relax after the long drive at Lake Coldwater. If you visit in the spring, you will be lucky enough to see the drive littered by bright wildflowers.

Highway 56

The Kansas stretch of Highway 56 spans from Kansas City in the east to Elkhart in the west and follows most of what was once the Santa Fe Trail. Along such a long trail, there is no shortage of things to do and sites to see. Starting in Kansas City, the first big city along the way is Gardner. Here you can stop and tour Moonlight Prairie Farm’s sustainable vegetable and flower production farm. From Gardner, up next on the drive is Burlingame, which features the Burlingame Schuyler Museum that focuses on coal mining, farming, railroad, and fire department artifacts. After Burlingame is Osage County, then Council Grove to Herington, where Herington Lake & Reservoir provides a relaxing place to rest and view the scenery. The drive then continues to McPherson and Great Bend. From Great Bend, the drive continues to Dodge City, home to the Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame and Gunfighters' Wax Museum. The route wraps up along the Kansas/Oklahoma border in Elkhart, home of the Cimarron National Grassland.

Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway

The 77-mile drive along the Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway offers scenic views of gorgeous wetlands, including Quivira National Wildlife Refuge and Cheyenne Bottoms. A north-south tour of the drive begins in Hoisington at the intersection of US-281 and K-4 and passes through Claflin, Great Bend, Ellinwood, Hudson, Stafford, and St. John. From Hoisington, head to Claflin and check out the small town’s Claflin Museum (by appointment only), which features a self-guided tour of rich history from the Northern Barton County area. After Claflin, head towards Great Bend and stop by Cheyenne Bottoms, the largest wetland in the interior US. In the spring, waterfowl and sandhill cranes begin to arrive around February, and wading birds like the heron show up in March and April, followed by shorebirds like the White-rumped Sandpiper. After Great Bend, the drive takes you through Ellinwood, Hudson, and then to Stafford, where the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge rests. After seeing more birds there, wrap the drive up in St. John at the town square.

Smoky Valley Byway

The Smoky Valley scenic byway features a 60-mile horseshoe-shaped drive through stunning landscapes and colorful scenery. This byway is best known for its fun geocaches. For those unfamiliar, a geocache is an outdoor adventure game, similar to a treasure hunt, that can be played on your phone/any device with GPS capabilities. This drive features 34 of them. You can start the drive in Wakeeny, where US 283S intersects with the I-70 (exit 127), with a meal at Western Kansas Saloon & Grill, which is notably located in a restored hardware store. From Wakeeny, head toward Ellis and stop by the must-see Cedar Bluff State Park Reservoir and Wildlife Area. This features over 14,000 acres of water and wildlife, and is beautiful any time of year. From there, the drive goes into Ogallah. Ogallah is also beautiful any time of year, but if you are here for Christmas, head to the Ponderosa Tree Farm for an amazing assortment of Christmas trees (even just to look at!).

Whether you are hitting the road to clear your head or explore new sights, Kansas has a surplus of byways and highways to enjoy on either four wheels or two. Most of the routes mentioned have no notable traffic or road conditions, but when planning travel, you can always check out the official KanDrive website to monitor. When you are choosing your next road trip, look to Kansas, and you will have an assortment of riches to choose from, depending on whether you want to check out landmarks, parks, or even fun roadside attractions.