For the solo adventurer, there's lots to love about South Central Kansas. The vibrant region has big open skies, radiant wetlands exploding with wildlife, and prairies waiting for you to explore. It's a land of pure discovery for the seekers, making it one of the best solo travel destinations to explore on your next road trip. 

Adventure to State Parks

When you visit South Central Kansas, you’ll want to venture outdoors. Start by soaking up the natural beauty of El Dorado State Park, the largest state park in Kansas, located on the western edge of the scenic Flint Hills. From fishing and boating on El Dorado Lake to hiking and biking along seven trails, adventurers will find endless hours of excitement here.

In Hutchinson, Sand Hills State Park features exhilarating trails that wind through over 1,000 acres of dunes, native prairie, wetlands, and woodlands. It's also an ideal spot for equestrians, with five horse-friendly trails and an on-site campground with corrals.

Discover History & Charming Towns

Seek out the best places to travel solo in this region and set your sights on the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway. Along this route that follows the footsteps of Native Americans, explorers, and pioneers, you'll discover eclectic shops, world-class art experiences, and charming towns like Lindsborg, known as "Little Sweden USA." To learn about the unique history of this area, head for Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum, home to exhibits that showcase the lives of pioneers. At this historic attraction, you can visit a fully restored 1898 flour mill, explore the 1904 Swedish Pavilion built for the St. Louis World's Fair, and learn about travel in 1979 at the Union Pacific Depot.

For a different type of history, head to Strataca, a salt museum 650 feet beneath the earth's surface. Explore a salt bed formed 275 million years ago by embarking on a dark ride, climbing aboard the Salt Mine Express Train, and venturing along the new Salt Safari Mine Adventure Hike.

Explore Your Inner Foodie

From award-winning barbeque to fresh, farm-to-table cuisine, dining options in South Central Kansas will never leave you hungry. Here you can start your morning off right with a hot cup of joe from Blacksmith Coffee Roastery. Housed in a historical blacksmith shop in downtown Lindsborg, this micro-roastery offers coffee tastings and classes on how to brew the perfect pot of coffee.

In the mood for heartier fare? Wichita’s Bite Me BBQ is beloved for its ribs and is widely regarded as one of the top restaurants in all of Kansas. Or, for locally sourced menu items made from scratch, head to Hesston’s Water’s Edge Restaurant, where homestyle favorites like pan-fried chicken, freshly baked pies, and more than 15 flavors of homemade ice cream, are always on the menu.

Solo-Friendly Stays

When it comes time to settle in for the night, head for The Historic Wolf Hotel in Ellinwood. Offering a variety of room types to suit every budget, a fully restored prohibition-era bar, and free tours of the underground tunnels that run beneath the property, this remarkable hotel is sure to make for a memorable stay.

Meanwhile, those seeking a serene getaway off the beaten path can experience life on the Gyp Hills Guest Ranch. Overlooking the scenic Gypsum Hills, this ranch features horse rides and hiking through the hills and pastures, which you can enjoy during a stay in one of the guest rooms, full hook-up campsites, or primitive camping areas.

Road Trippin’

Continue your road trip through South Central Kansas by exploring the 42-mile-long Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway, which takes you through an area teeming with geologic diversity. Ride along rolling, weathered hills as you savor picturesque vistas of the rugged landscape. Pop into art galleries, take in a flick at the drive-in theater in Medicine Lodge, explore local museums, and play in the hills' parks to round out the perfect solo travel getaway to this fantastic region.