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. Travel north on K-7 to Atchison and Troy. Just outside of Troy, turn right onto 180th Spur, which eventually becomes 180th Road. Turn left onto Last Chance Road. Turn left onto 195th Road, which eventually becomes 195th Access Road. At K-7, turn right and continue north to White Cloud, KS, and the byway’s end at the Kansas/Nebraska border.

    Traveling north to south: The route begins at the Kansas/Nebraska border near White Cloud, KS. Continue south on K-7 to Troy. Just outside of Troy, turn left onto 195th Access Road, which eventually becomes 195th Road. Turn right onto Last Chance Road. Turn right onto 180th Road, which eventually becomes 180th Spur. At K-7, turn left and continue south to Atchison and the byway’s end where K-7 and K-92 intersect near the gates of Fort Leavenworth in Leavenworth, KS.

  • Plan Your Road Trip

    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…

    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…

    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…

    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…

    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…

    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…

    Carroll Mansion Museum

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

    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…

    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…

    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…

  • Things to do along the way

    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…

    Gypsum Hills

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

    Post Rock

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

    Wetlands & Wildlife

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

    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…

    Smoky Valley

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

    Native Stone

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

    Kansas Route 66

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

    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…

    Western Vistas

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

    Frontier Military

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

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

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

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