Scenic byways lets you see Kansas’ best landscape from the safety of your car
Kathy Artzer knows people can abide by social distancing requirements while still feeding their need for adventure. Annually she leaves her Topeka home and drives several of Kansas’ scenic byways.
“(The byways) have taken me to some places I didn’t even know we had in Kansas,” Artzer said. “They’ve taken me to some really beautiful places. I think they’re a great way to explore the state.”
Sue Stringer, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism byways manager, said Kansas has 12 recognized byways.
Nine of Kansas’ scenic byways never close and lead people away from crowds. The other three focus on historical areas, with stops at places like museums and battlefields. Most of those attractions are closed because of the coronavirus.
But Stringer said most Kansans live close enough to a scenic byway that they can leave home, see some gorgeous country and never exit their vehicles until they return.
“You can just pack some munchies, and some water, and you’re good to go to some neat places,” Stringer said. “Most of the time you’re out and away from people. There are plenty of places along the byways where you could pull over, get out if you wanted and not have to worry about social distancing.”
Stringer said spring is a fantastic time to tour. Wooded valleys are coated lavenders with budding redbud trees. Native prairies may be ablaze with annual spring burning or dotted with the neon green of this year’s new grasses. Wildflowers will soon follow.
Millions of birds, many wearing splendid breeding plumage, are gathered at Kansas’ two world-class wetlands – Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area near Great Bend and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge near Stafford.
The Kansas byway system began about 30 years ago as an offshoot of a federal program, Stringer said. Both the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway and Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway have state and federal designations.
Kansas byways are created and managed by grassroot committees from the immediate area. The Kansas Department of Transportation and Division of Tourism have played active roles. Kansas byways are shown on most state maps and have signs along the routes.
Stringer said byways range from 13 to 167 miles. Southwest Kansas is about the only region without a designated byway. Most byways are planned through a particularly scenic portion of a geographic region, like the Flint, Smoky, Gypsum or Glaciated hills.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has specifically said Kansans can enjoy the outdoors as long as they don’t violate social distancing regulations. Every byway has places where people can get out of their vehicle and stretch their legs in solitude.
Stringer said all byways have kiosks with information about a special place nearby. Many pass near a Kansas state park, which remain open to the public.
Stringer referenced the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway, which passes near Kanopolis State Park. Like all Kansas state parks it offers hiking trails of various lengths and difficulties. Though only 56-miles long, the byway also passes near Mushroom Rock State Park and the Maxwell State Game Refuge, which is about 60 miles north of Wichita.
Though established largely to honor the region’s wild west history, Western Vistas Historic Byway passes by both Little Jerusalem and Historic Lake Scott State Parks. Famed Monument Rocks are also nearby.
Some, like Artzer, want to explore about every attraction, side road and spectacular view possible.
“I don’t know whoever planned all of these (byways) out, but they knew what they were doing,” she said. “That’s one of the really great ways to explore some of the best places in Kansas.”
Stringer and other byway proponents hope those who travel the byways now, will also return after social distancing is no longer required.
One of a byway’s goals is to get people to visit small, rural towns. Helen Dobbs, Land and Sky Scenic Byway president, said the byway has greatly increased tourist traffic coming to St. Francis, in extreme northwest Kansas.
“It’s made a big, big difference and I think the whole county has benefited from it,” Dobbs said. “Some of the landowners from the Arikaree Breaks have commented they’re seeing more traffic and they’re really happy to be able to share the area with the public.”
Dobbs said many attractions, like well-known restaurants, small town businesses and festivals are closed because of the pandemic.
When the attractions re-open, she said, it would be easy for byway travelers to plan an entire weekend trip to an area.
But many who travel the byways simply want add a bit more beauty to a trip across Kansas for assorted reasons.
Jerry Courtney, of Eudora, travels to many parts of Kansas hunting birds every fall and winter. He’s traveled most of the state’s byways, even though it’s not the reason for his trip.
“If I see the signs for a byway, I’ll probably take it,” Courtney said. “I’m not a huge fan of traveling on major highways, anyway. I know I’m going to see some pretty country.”
Scenic Kansas byways
Flint Hills National Scenic Byway runs from Cassoday to historic Council Grove, through the heart of the Flint Hills. The 47-mile route goes through timbered valleys with clear streams and up across some of the purest tallgrass prairie lands in the world.
The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, is open to hikers but the visitors center is closed. Several businesses have specifically asked people from other areas to not stop in Chase County.
Glacial Hills Scenic Byway begins at Leavenworth and runs 63-miles northward to the northeast corner of Kansas. Carved by ancient glaciers, it’s a landscape of rolling hills covered in mature forests and fertile farmlands.
Four-state lookout, at White Cloud, provides a view of Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska on clear days.
Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway runs 42 miles from Medicine Lodge to Coldwater and goes through some of the prettiest landscapes in Kansas. The drive is known for red-dirt buttes, deep canyons and wide views with no signs of civilization.
It also goes through lands healed after the 2016 Anderson Creek Fire.
Land and Sky Scenic Byway is Kansas’ newest byway and runs 88-miles from Sharon Springs, in far western Kansas, northward to near the Nebraska border.
It passes near Mt. Sunflower, the highest point in Kansas and the Arikaree Breaks with huge views of steep canyons studded with yucca cactus and wildflowers.
Native Stone Scenic Byway runs the 75-mile curving route from Dover to I-70 south of Manhattan. The highway passes miles of hand-laid stone fence, much of it more than 100 years old and barns, bridges and houses made of the stone.
It also passes the sprawling Konza Prairie and Pillsbury Crossing Wildlife Area, which has waterfalls.
Post Rock Scenic Byway is the 18-miles of K-232 from I-70 to K-18, near Lucas. The byway is named after the limestone rocks quarried in the area and often used for fence posts. Keep an eye out for four faces carved into fenceposts by a California artist.
The byway also passes Wilson State Park. The park and reservoir have been ranked among the most scenic in the nation. It holds a world-renowned trail for hikers and cyclists.
Prairie Trail Scenic Byway is 56 miles from Canton to near Ellsworth, passing through Lindsborg and by Kanopolis State Park. Hiking and fishing are available at the McPherson State Fishing Lake. Maxwell Wildlife Refuge can offer chances to see buffalo and elk.
Coronado Heights, the castle-like structure made from stone, offers a great view of the Smoky Hill River valley.
Smoky Valley Scenic Byway begins and ends on I-70, west of Hays. The 60-mile drive cuts across a section of high plains covered in short and mixed-grass prairie. It passes near Cedar Bluff State Park, with good hiking, fishing and camping.
Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway connects two of the world’s finest wetland complexes. The 77-mile route bisects both Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.
Spring migration is in full swing, with dozens of species of waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds paired up with males in brilliant plumage. Both are great places to see pelicans and bald eagles.
Historic Byways
Frontier Military Historic Byway runs 167 miles and connects Fort Leavenworth and Fort Scott. Along the route are many museums and battlefields from the Bleeding Kansas period that preceded the Civil War. Most are currently closed, but will reopen.
Route 66 Historic Byway runs the 13 miles where the Ozark Plateau nips the southeast corner of Kansas. The highway is one of the most famous in America, and has been featured in song and a television program.
Western Vistas Historic Byway is 99 miles from Scott City to Oakley, and west to Sharon Springs. It’s also a region filled with Wild West lore, including historic Fort Wallace and Battle Canyon, the last place in Kansas where native tribes battled U.S. troops in 1878. The byway is as blessed with beautiful scenery as it is history.
For more information on any of the scenic byways, visit www.travelks.com/ksbyways/ or the Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/KSByways/
This story was originally published April 26, 2020 at 7:01 AM.