Glacial Hills

Scenic Byway

The Glacial Hills Scenic Byway gets its name from the rolling hills and rock-strewn valleys carved by ancient glaciers. The receding ice left behind a beautiful landscape and highly fertile farmland. On July 4, 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition celebrated the first Independence Day of their journey near what is now Atchison. Fifty years later, the Kansas-Nebraska Act opened the Kansas Territory, and settlers were drawn to the area's rich soil and nearby rivers.

The Glacial Hills region also includes one of the most famous Pony Express routes as well as Fort Leavenworth, the oldest Army post in continuous existence west of the Missouri River. Abraham Lincoln delivered one of his most famous campaign speeches in the area in 1859, and years later people would watch Atchison resident Amelia Earhart grow up to be a renowned aviator.

  • Driving Directions

    Distance: 63 miles

    Traveling south to north: The route begins where K-7 and K-92 intersect near the gates of Fort Leavenworth in Leavenworth, KS. Traveling north on K-7 towards Atchison, Troy, and White Cloud, the route eventually concludes at the Kansas/Nebraska border just north of White Cloud, KS.

    Traveling north to south: The route begins at the Kansas/Nebraska border near White Cloud, KS. Continuing south on K-7 towards Troy, Atchison, and Leavenworth, the route eventually concludes in Leavenworth, KS where K-7 intersects with K-92 near the gates of Fort Leavenworth

  • Plan Your Road Trip

    Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum

    At the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, visitors have the opportunity to explore the home in which world-renowned aviatrix Amelia Earhart…

    Peter Toth Indian Monument

    "Tall Oak" Indian monument sits in the courtyard of the Doniphan County Courthouse in Troy. This Kansas Monument was sculpted by Peter Toth…

    Historic Downtown Leavenworth

    Enjoy the modern life of the First City of Kansas. A full service downtown with over 275 businesses including 22 restaurants offering…

    Four State Lookout

    4-State Lookout in White Cloud has been named one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas. A viewing platform offers a panorama of the broad Missouri…

    The Haunted 1889 McInteer Villa

    The McInteer Villa is one of Atchison’s most unique residences. Built in 1889-1890 for John McInteer, a pioneer businessman of Atchison, KS…

    Nelson Rogers House

    This one-and-a-half story center-gable house is constructed of hand-hewn timbers. The corner posts are hand-hewn cottonwood, and the windows…

    Wilbur Chapman Monument

    Depicts the story of a boy who with $3 bought a pig, raised it, sold it for $25, gave the money to the Leper Mission to care for a child for…

    Carroll Mansion Museum

    This 1880's Victorian house features elaborate handcrafted woodwork throughout the house, beautiful stained glass windows and elegant…

    Ma-Hush-Kah Historical Society

    The Ma-Hush-Kah Historical Society in White Cloud, Kansas is named after Chief White Cloud of the Ioway Tribe. It owns & operates the…

    C. W. Parker Carousel Museum

    Tour a museum of carousel artifacts and history. This particular carousel is unique in that the animals are hand carved and each is…

  • Things to do along the way

    Photos

    Kansas Byways

    Post Rock

    Over the Smoky Hills of weathered bedrock, the Post Rock Scenic Byway winds through fields, pastures and prairie.

    Route 66

    Kansas' Historic Route 66 Byway offers opportunities for visitors to enjoy a variety of experiences to "get their own kicks…

    Land & Sky

    Travelers along the Land and Sky Scenic Byway have the opportunity to experience the Wallace Branch of the Great Western Cattle Trail, scale…

    Native Stone

    Discover the natural beauty of the panoramic Native Stone Scenic Byway.

    Smoky Valley

    Named for their hazy, blue appearance at sunrise and sunset, the Smoky Hills divide the more easterly mixed-grass prairie from the…

    Frontier Military

    Travel through time, visiting multiple forts along the Frontier Military Historic Byway.  Originally built to move soldiers and…

    Prairie Trail

    When you travel the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway, you follow in the steps of Native Americans, explorers and pioneers as they sought food…

    Flint Hills

    The Flint Hills National Scenic Byway offers incredible views of the native grasses and flowers of the tallgrass prairie - one of the last…

    Gypsum Hills

    Ancient floodplains, buttes, canyons, mesas and sinkholes are rare on the Great Plains. Yet, nestled in the Kansas grasslands is the Gypsum…

    Western Vistas

    Visit a rugged landscape on the culturally and visually fascinating route known as the Western Vistas Historic Byway. 

    Wetlands & Wildlife

    Along the byway, you'll encounter landscapes and communities shaped by the powerful forces of motion and change. You're entering a…

    For more information about the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway, contact:

    Gary Satter
    Glacial Hills RC&D
    (785) 608-8801
     
    Visit Atchison
    (800) 234-1854
    Sponsored

    Sponsored

    Sponsored
    Sponsored

    Sponsored
    Sponsored

    Sponsored
    Sponsored

    Sponsored
    Sponsored