​​Five Scenic Drives inside Kansas​

Outside the state, most of the country knows Kansas as the home of Dorothy before she hitches a ride on a tornado to Oz, and as the idealistic, if humble, farm home of Superman.  In both cases, the setting represents solid and rural middle America.  Flat planes that make up a part of the country’s breadbasket.  If you seek a beautiful drive, many would insist that you must head east or west out of the state. And indeed, flat farmland does make up a significant portion of the state.  But Bud Brown Volkswagen wants you to know that a closer look reveals several scenic drives within the state’s borders for you to enjoy in your Volkswagen.  Yes, you can enjoy them in any car or truck, but we like to think of you viewing these scenic drives from a Volkswagen. 

Flint Hills National Scenic Byway 

This scenic drive ranks among the prettiest in the state, with Council Grove welcoming you at one end and Cassoday at the other. If you start from Cassoday, the route meanders through the beautiful tallgrass Flint Hills prairie, with charming stops in Cottonwood Falls and Strong City, before ending in Council Grove. The historic Santa Fe Trail crosses the byway, and you’ll find many delightful spots along the way, including several picturesque waterfalls just off the route.  

Cottonwood Falls, a charming town named for the falls, sits right beside the road. A short 5-minute detour west of Cottonwood Falls to Chase State Fishing Lake leads to the picturesque Prather Creek Falls. Further north, you’ll find the highlight of the Flint Hills Scenic Byway — the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. Covering more than 10,000 acres, this beautiful area is managed by both the National Park Service and The Nature Conservancy, offering a wonderful glimpse into the heart of the prairie. 

Western Vistas Historic Byway 

You reach the southern tip of the Western Vistas Historic Byway in Scott City, then travel north on Highway 83 to Lake Scott State Park, which has been recognized as one of the top state parks in the country. With stunning scenery, great hiking, and the northernmost pueblo in the country, Lake Scott is truly a nature lover’s paradise. As you continue north and slightly off the beaten path, you’ll encounter Monument Rocks, tall rock formations that don’t look like they would be in Kansas at all. Heading west on Highway 40 from Oakley, you’ll continue to see striking, large rock formations that create a uniquely beautiful landscape. Also along the way is Mt. Sunflower, Kansas’s highest point, before finishing your memorable journey in Sharon Springs. 

Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway 

This is a purely east-west drive on Highway 160 between Medicine Lodge and Coldwater. True to its name, it takes you through the Gypsum Hills, often called the Red Hills, which feature a desert-like landscape sliced by craggy canyons and punctuated by red buttes rising from rolling hills.  In the spring, the topography is painted with wildflowers. 

Glacial Hills Scenic Byway 

If you prefer a change in latitude, the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway is a largely north-south ride on Highways 7 and 73, bookended by White Cloud, Kansas’ most northeastern city, where Kansas meets Missouri and Nebraska, and home to the four-state lookout, where on a clear day you can also see north to Iowa. From White Cloud, you follow the Missouri River a bit inside the Brown Conservation area. From there, head south through rolling hills through Atchison, the birthplace of Amelia Earhart, before ending in historic Fort Leavenworth. 

Native Stone Scenic Byway 

The Native Stone Scenic Byway offers a fascinating exploration of the wonders of limestone.  Consisting of Highway 99 from Alma and on K-4 toward Dover, travelers will find this stone in all its forms, from natural formations dotting the landscape along hillsides to its finished splendor in iconic architecture. Remember to admire the ingenuity and craftsmanship of our forefathers along the way. 

This is just a sample. There is also Kansas’ portion of the historic Route 66, the Smoky Valley, the Post Rock Byway, and more. The Byways section of the travelks.com website is a great resource for more beautiful drives within the state borders. Of course, if you want to see beautiful sights from a beautiful car, we first direct you to Bud Brown Volkswagen, where any of our SUVs or cars will take you through the state and beyond in comfort and style.