Flint Hills

National Scenic Byway

The 47-mile-long Flint Hills National Scenic Byway offers incredible views of the native grasses and flowers of the tallgrass prairie - one of the last remaining landscapes left in America. Much of the land along the Byway looks as it did thousands of years ago when the Kaw, Osage, and other native tribes lived here. Early settlers navigated the famous Santa Fe Trail through here, some stopping to build the towns of Council Grove, Cottonwood Falls, Cassoday, Matfield Green, and Strong City.

Today, the Flint Hills area is home to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and historic venues such as the Kaw Mission and Last Chance Store Museums on the Santa Fe Trail. You'll also find towns filled with charming shops, restaurants, artwork, historical sites, and antiques

  • Driving Directions

    Distance: 47 Miles

    Council Grove to Cassoday (North to South): Starting in Council Grove, KS at the intersection of US-56 and K-177, head south towards Strong City, KSCottonwood Falls, KS, and Matfield Green, KS. Continue on K-177 for the entire route duration until it eventually concludes in Cassoday, KS. 

    Cassoday to Council Grove (South to North): Starting in Cassoday, KS, head north on K-177 towards the cities of Matfield Green, KSCottonwood Falls, KS, and Strong City, KS. Continue on K-177 for the entire route duration until it eventually concludes at the intersection with US 56  in Council Grove, KS. 

  • Plan Your Road Trip

    Spring Street Retreat

    Spring Street Retreat is bed and breakfast in the heart of the Flint Hills in Cottonwood Falls. Come spend a weekend in this beautifully…

    Chase Lake Falls

    Prather Creek Falls, also known as Chase Lake Falls, may not be the tallest of all the waterfalls in Kansas, but it’s become one of my…

    Flint Hills Trail State Park

    The Flint Hills Trail stretches for 117 miles across east-central Kansas, from Osawatomie in the east to Herington in the west, and passes…

    Bazaar Cattle Pens

    Check out the scenic overlook that allows travelers an opportunity to pull over and get a better view of the Flint Hills. Visitors can see…

    Chase County Courthouse

    Built 1872-1873, this French Renaissance native limestone building is the oldest working courthouse in the state of Kansas. During the…

    Teter Rock

    An upended limestone monolith juts unexpectedly up into the endless blue sky of the Flint Hills. Located at the crest of the highest hill in…

    Tallgrass Antiques

    Tallgrass Antiques specializes in antiques, primitives and architectural salvage as well as fine restored furniture. We carry lots of doors…

    The Cottage House Hotel and Motel

    A trip to Council Grove, Kansas, and a stay at The Cottage House Hotel and Motel t is a beautiful and captivating journey back to the days…

    Pioneer Bluffs

    “Come home” to Pioneer Bluffs and take time to enjoy a simpler life. Bring a picnic, hike along Crocker Creek, and explore the oak savannah…

    Flint Hills Gallery, LLC

    Studio and gallery of famed Flint Hills artists Judith and Ken Mackey. Oil paintings by Judith Mackey. Mackey, considered by many to be the…

  • Hear about the Flint Hills as you explore the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway!

    Flint Hills National Scenic Byway educates and entertains travelers with a Travel Information Radio System. Tune your vehicle’s radio to 1680 AM and hear about local history; wildlife, and ecosystems of the tallgrass prairie; why ranchers burn pastures; special events taking place in local communities; and much more. To keep the signal strong throughout your drive, three transmitters are located along the route: one each in Cassoday (WQCW625), Cottonwood Falls (WQCU481), and Council Grove (WQCU480).

  • Things to do along the way

    Flint Hills Byway Photos

    Kansas Byways

    Gypsum Hills

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

    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…

    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…

    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…

    Wetlands & Wildlife

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

    Glacial Hills

    The Glacial Hills Scenic Byway gets its name from the rolling hills and rock-strewn valleys carved by ancient glaciers. 

    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…

    Frontier Military

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

    Western Vistas

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

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