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

  • Route Description

    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. Be sure to check out the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve just north of Strong City, KS, for beautiful scenery along the way! 

    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 in Council Grove, KS. Check out the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve just north of Strong City, KS, for beautiful scenery along the way! 

  • Plan Your Road Trip

    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…

    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…

    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…

    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…

    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…

    Tallgrass Antiques

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

    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…

    Spring Street Retreat

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

  • Things to do along the way

    Flint Hills Byway Photos

    Kansas Byways

    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…

    Route 66

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

    Glacial Hills

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

    Frontier Military

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

    Wetlands & Wildlife

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

    Gypsum Hills

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

    Smoky Valley

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

    Western Vistas

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

    Native Stone

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

    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.

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