Byways of Kansas Byways of Kansas 10

Home , Cedar Bluff State Park, Council Grove Lake, Faris Caves, Hillsdale State Park, Kanopolis Lake, Maxwell Wildlife Refuge

BYWAYS OF KANSAS BYWAYS OF KANSAS 10

Expand your horizons.

Like apple pie and baseball, there’s something very American Byways. In addition to the breathtaking surroundings, you’ll about hitting the road and taking in the scenery. It’s a genuine enjoy an abundance of activities and a variety of incredible sense of freedom as you meander through the beautiful terrain, wildlife and living styles. This book offers a glimpse landscapes, the historic settings, the man-made panoramas into each of our unique byways, along with maps and and more. Each byway tells a story, and the stories in Kansas destinations to experience along the way. We look forward to are as fascinating as they come. Kansas is home to 10 byways, seeing you on the road! two of which are ofﬁcially designated National Scenic

1 Flint Across the Grassland Sea With its sweeping grasses and tawny limestone bluffs, the Flint Hills just might be the most famed landscape in Kansas. It’s certainly the most revered, as the area Hills represents the largest remaining tract of tallgrass prairie in North America.

Kaw Mission State Historic Site – Council Grove 70 The Kaw Mission reveals the story of a building that served as home and 177 school to 30 Kaw boys from 1851 to 1854. It’s also a tribute to the Kaw (or Kansa) Indians, who gave our state its name. They lived in the Neosho Valley

MORRIS when, despite an impassioned plea by Chief Allegawaho, the U.S. government relocated the Kaw to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). Council Grove 56

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Strong City – Strong City Cottonwood Falls The 10,984-acre reserve is an amazing combination of unspoiled prairie

50 and rare wildﬂowers. Discover more than 400 species of plants, 40 Matfield Green species of grasses, 200 species of birds, 30 types of mammals, plus CHASE 35 reptiles and amphibians.

BUTLER Cassoday

SCE N I C PLACE S P O I N T S OF IN TERES T F E S TIVA L S & EVEN T S

t t Cassoday Bike Run, Cassoday (March thru November) t Cottonwood River Bridge, Cottonwood Falls Chase County Courthouse, Cottonwood Falls t t Prairie Fire Festival, Cottonwood Falls (April) t Schrumpf Hill Overlook, Cottonwood Falls Chase County Historical Museum, Cottonwood Falls t t Symphony in the Flint Hills (June) t Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park, Council Grove Hays House 1857 Restaurant & Tavern, Council Grove t t Washunga Days, Council Grove (June) t Guardian of the Grove, Council Grove Madonna on the Trail, Council Grove t t Flint Hills Rodeo, Strong City (June) t Neosho River Walk, Council Grove Pioneer Bluffs Historic District, Matﬁeld Green

2 Flint Hills National Scenic Byway 1 F LIN T HILLS 3 ksbyways.org May-June ild Indigo W tate Historic urther south S F lue B Baptisia australis alls you’ll ﬁnd the F aw Mission K ld Cowboy Jail. O ational Preserve and its limestone N choolhouse and an enormous three- S ridge. B ak and the O ox Creek ox Creek F pril-May A nemone A ite, Council point of the byway. Explore the Explore point of the byway. S Prairie is the Tallgrass mansion, story barn. Down in Cottonwood and the historic Chase County Courthouse, two museums Cottonwood River

arolina C Anemone caroliniana lint F lint Hills home. The Plains F

May-June eardtongue B

he endless vistas have remained unchanged for unchanged he endless vistas have remained of people, plants thousands of years, and a variety

obaea C Penstemon cobaea S ER coyote and even the occasional massasauga rattlesnake. coyote and even the occasional massasauga the northernmost – History Grove abounds in Council and wildlife have called the chert (ﬂint) they found and used the Indians once lived here of the residents for tools and weapons. These days, rabbits, fox, hawks, cotton-tailed Hills include red-tailed T OW L DF IL W S T N & EVE S L A TIV S E F Frontier Marching Through History 2 The Frontier Military Historic Byway is a fascinating journey through pre-Civil War era history. The byway extends roughly 167 miles, tying Fort Leavenworth in the north with Military Baxter Springs in the south at the Oklahoma border.

Fort Leavenworth – Leavenworth Established in 1827, Fort Leavenworth is the oldest fort in continuous operation west of Leavenworth Fort Leavenworth the Mississippi River. It was originally opened to protect fur trade, safeguard commerce Lansing and maintain peace among the inhabitants. Today, you can see a host of interesting WYANDOTTE LEAVENWORTH 5 things, including the Buffalo Soldier Monument – a tribute to the 9th and 10th Cavalry Kansas City of Black Soldiers and the Permanent Indian Frontier. Merriam 70 Lenexa Overland Park Olathe JOHNSON

35 Louisburg Mine Creek Battleﬁeld State Historic Site MIAMI Paola – Pleasanton

69 Walk the battleﬁeld and learn more about the events that took place in 1864. Prairie loop LINN La Cygne and timber loop trails are ﬁlled with informative signage, and a visitor center features displays on the Battle at Mine Creek, the Price Campaign of 1864 and other aspects of Pleasanton the Civil War.

BOURBON

Fort Scott Arcadia

CRAWFORD Arma SCE N I C PLACE S P O I N T S OF IN TERES T F E S TIVA L S & EVEN T S

Pittsburg t Mined Land Wildlife Area, t Frontier Army Museum, Fort Leavenworth t Little Balkans Days, Pittsburg (August) Cherokee & Crawford Counties t Fort Scott National Historic Site, t Frontier Days, Fort Scott (September) t Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Fort Scott CHEROKEE t Spinach Festival, Lenexa (September) Area, La Cygne t Baxter Springs Heritage Center, t Cider Fest, Louisburg (September/October) Baxter Springs t Ernie Miller Nature Center, Olathe Baxter Springs t t Mahafﬁe Stagecoach Stop and Wild West Show & Bullwhacker t Overland Park Arboretum, State Historic Site, Olathe Days, Olathe (September) Overland Park t Pittsburg State University Veterans t Hillsdale Lake, Paola Memorial Amphitheatre, Pittsburg

4 Frontier Military Historic Byway 2 F R ONTIER MILITA R Y 5 ksbyways.org ugust A ut B June- lair in chool in B S ort F Lead Plant Amorpha canescens and much more. and much more. opportunities to enjoy, opportunities to enjoy, prings, Merriam Historic Plaza, the Cato prings, Merriam Historic Plaza, the S pril-June A rcadia, Lansing Historical Museum, rcadia, axter ou’ll encounter a number of important historic and ou’ll encounter a number of important

from the county and city parks to the beautiful native the county and city parks to the beautiful from sprinkled along this wildﬂowers and lush prairie grasses historic route. there are also plenty of recreational are there Y including cultural attractions along the way, B A Prairie Groundsel Packera plattensis ar. rmy to transport W A

May-June

rive along the byway, and you’ll retrace the old the and you’ll retrace rive along the byway, military trail used by the S Rose Verbena Glandularia canadensis incidents leading up to the Civil troops and supplies between the frontier forts. The forts forts. The forts and supplies between the frontier troops militarythemselves tell the stories of early development to of the pioneers, and also touch on many westward protect D ER OW L DF IL W S T N & EVE S L A TIV S E F Marching Through History Glacial The Pioneering Spirit 3 Glaciers in Kansas? Obviously not any more, but millions of years ago our state was covered by ocean water and gigantic glaciers. As the formations receded north, they Hills carved out the gorgeous rolling hills and rock-strewn valleys that we see today.

White Lewis & Clark Trail Cloud – Atchison, Leavenworth & White Cloud Highland The Lewis & Clark Expedition is one of America’s greatest adventure stories 36 Troy and has inspired many to follow the famous trail. Explore the sites and kiosks along the trailway markers. DONIPHAN

Atchison

ATCHISON 7 59 Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum Leavenworth – Atchison Overlooking the Missouri River bluffs, this is the historic birthplace of the internationally famed aviatrix. See family heirlooms, displays, photos and more LEAVENWORTH at this award-winning museum, which has undergone a number of impressive restoration efforts over the years.

SCE N I C PLACE S P O I N T S OF IN TERES T F E S TIVA L S & EVEN T S

t Santa Fe Depot, Atchison t Amelia Earhart Earthwork t White Cloud Flea Market, White Cloud (Spring and Fall) t Leavenworth Atchison C.W. Parker Carousel Museum, at Warnock Lake, t Amelia Earhart Festival, Atchison (July) t t Atchison Carroll Mansion, Leavenworth Independence Park, t Buffalo Bill Days, Leavenworth (September) t t Leavenworth Tall Oaks Indian Monument, Troy Leavenworth Landing Park, t Pioneer Days, Troy (September) t t White Cloud Lincoln Monument, Troy Four State Lookout, t Oktoberfest, Atchison (October)

6 Glacial Hills Scenic Byway 3 GLACI A L HILLS 7 ksbyways.org ctober O ugust- A

tiff Goldenrod merican S Solidago rigida braham Lincoln A A eptember ut it’s not just the people who are fascinating. who are not just the people ut it’s S B July- tchison, Doniphan and Leavenworth Counties, and tchison, Doniphan and Leavenworth A melia Earhart’s childhood home is also found on this childhood melia Earhart’s everal other people who helped shape everal other people who helped ou’ll be enchanted by the towering river bluffs, sharp- river bluffs, ou’ll be enchanted by the towering S history this region. have been a part of speech in 1859 Cooper Union practiced his renowned in A byway. Y streams. and clear running edged ridge crests Rosinweed Silphium integrifolium n July 4, 1804, their expedition made n July 4, 1804, their expedition O

ctober

O age S tchison. A July-

he receding glaciers also left behind some of the glaciers also left behind some he receding the state, which most beautiful and fertile land in Salvia azurea Pitcher S

attracted farmers and settlers from all over. Perhaps the Perhaps all over. attracted farmers and settlers from the explorers were most famous people to pass through Lewis and Clark. now Day in the area camp and celebrated Independence known as T ER OW L DF IL W pirit S The Pioneering Gypsum A Colorful Heritage 4 Named for the underlying layers of gypsum, this unique byway boasts an incredible variety of geographic features. Also known as the Red Hills, you’ll see flat mesas, deep Hills canyons, sharp high hills and caprock formations, all within a 42-mile drive.

Lake Coldwater – Coldwater The only lake in southwest Kansas that allows water-related sports, Coldwater is a 250-acre area for boating, swimming, ﬁshing, bird watching, camping and hiking.

281

Coldwater Wilmore BARBER 160 Medicine Lodge 183 COMANCHE 160 Carry A. Nation Home & Stockade Museum – Medicine Lodge The infamous Carry Nation lived in Medicine Lodge, where she embarked on tirades against alcohol and smashed saloons. A museum replica of an 1873 stockade includes historical artifacts of dinosaur bones, a 130+ year-old Smith Log Cabin and even a jail in the courtyard. The home is a National Historic Landmark.

SCE N I C PLACE S P O I N T S OF IN TERES T F E S TIVA L S & EVEN T S

t Gypsum Hills Trail Rides, Barber County t Barber State Fishing Lake, Medicine Lodge t Comanche County Historical Museum, Coldwater t Spring Wildﬂower Tour, Barber County (May) t Flower Pot Mound, Medicine Lodge t Heritage Memorial Park, Coldwater t Indian Summer Days, Medicine Lodge (September) t Red Cedar Nature Trail, Barber County Lake, Medicine Lodge t Stan Herd Murals, Coldwater & Wilmore t Kansas Championship Ranch Rodeo, Medicine Lodge (September) t Scenic Byway Overlook and Turn Out, Medicine Lodge t Memorial Peace Park, Medicine Lodge t Peace Treaty Pageant, Medicine Lodge (Fall, every 3 years) t Twin Peaks, Medicine Lodge t Wisner Fountain, Medicine Lodge

8 Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway 4 G Y P S UM HILLS 9 lower F ksbyways.org eptember S May- ifteen lanket F B Indian pulchella Gaillardia

yatt Earp himself came for the stellar hunting. yatt Earp himself came for the stellar June-July W Interestingly enough, it was the bison herds from from herds enough, it was the bison Interestingly people here. centuries ago that originally attracted tribes to Plains Indian cultures prehistoric Everyone from to to sign peace in 1867 thousand Indians camped here the event and Medicine Lodge commemorates treaties, Pageant. every Treaty years with the Peace three ampson S lack- B Echinacea Echinacea angustifolia eptember S

July- ou may even catch a glimpse of beaver, bobcat, ou may even catch a glimpse of beaver, Y ildlife also populates the region as a number of as a number ildlife also populates the region

he Gypsum Hills area is known for its abundance is known for its he Gypsum Hills area which provide of spring and summer wildﬂowers, W ompass Plant S Silphium laciniatum C abound. and armadillo! porcupine a blanket of color to complement the naturally ﬂowing a blanket of color to complement cedar green prairie and soil, mixed green springs, red trees. pheasant, quail and prairie chicken coyote, turkey, deer, T ER OW L DF IL W

(Fall, every 3 years) every (Fall,

Barber County Barber County (May) Medicine Lodge Medicine Lodge (September) S T N Medicine Lodge (September) Pageant, Treaty Peace Kansas Championship Ranch Rodeo, Rodeo, Ranch Championship Kansas

Gypsum Hills Trail Rides, Trail Hills Gypsum Tour, Wildﬂower Spring Days, Summer Indian t t t t t & EVE S L A TIV S E F Colorful Heritage A Native A Slice of American Landscape 5 All the elements of nature, including sun, wind, fire and rain, helped lend a hand in shaping this scenic byway. The limestone from which the route gets its name was Stone formed from the sediments of shallow seas that existed 240 million years ago.

1878 Sage Inn & Stagecoach Station – Dover Originally built in 1865, the Sage Inn opened its doors to travelers on the Southwest Trail. The inn was expanded to present-day size in 1878 to include a livery, a corral for horses and a blacksmith shop. The stagecoach carried freight, mail and passengers to other destinations. Today it is found on the National Register of Historic Places.

Topeka 4 Alma 70 Keene Dover 75 99 The City of Native Stone 177 SHAWNEE 4 – Alma Eskridge Alma contains 26 historical Native Stone structures built between the WABAUNSEE 1880s and 1930s. In fact, 98% of the business district is constructed 99 with native stone. Enjoy a walking or driving tour of the area, and you’ll be reminded of the superior craftsmanship of years past.

SCE N I C PLACE S P O I N T S OF IN TERES T F E S TIVA L S & EVEN T S

t Skyline Mill Creek Scenic Drive t 1905 Henry Sump Barn, Alma tNative Stone Festival, Alma (May) t Alma City Lake, Alma t Underground Railroad Sites, Alma & Keene tDover Heritage Days, Dover (June) t Echo Cliff Park, Dover t Wabaunsee County Courthouse, Alma t Labor Day Rodeo, Eskridge (September) t Lake Wabaunsee, Wabaunsee County t Wabaunsee County Historical Museum, Alma tFall German Meal, Alma (October) t Security State Bank & Waugh Law Ofﬁce tVeteran’s Day Celebration, Eskridge (November) Building, Eskridge

10 Native Stone Scenic Byway 5 NATIVE S T ONE 11 eptember- ster S ksbyways.org A ew nd A N ew England ctober N Symphyotrichum novae-angliae O orthwest and N ansas free from slavery. slavery. from free ansas K ld O hawnee and Potawatomi S ansa, K sage, O eed eptember W S tate immigrants from the tate immigrants from S July- ree- Paleo-Indians harvested clams and mussels from the Paleo-Indians harvested and mussels from clams local creeks. views. and enjoyed the remarkable tribes lived here F make to voted and came England as the through to reign These days, a cowboy spirit seems ranchers. inhabitants include farmers and weet Joe-pye S Eupatorium purpureum tone. S ative N weden and Germany. S lma, one of the communities along lma, one of the communities along A

May-July

oday, you can see examples of limestone usage in you can see examples of limestone oday, the stone fences, barns, and buildings that homes f course, there are plenty of other cultural inﬂuences. plenty of other cultural are f course, there S Oenothera macrocarpa Missouri Evening Primrose stonemasons who hailed from stonemasons who hailed from O dot the roadway. dot the roadway. is actually called the City of the byway, by pioneer built were Many of the limestone structures T ER OW L DF IL W S T N & EVE S L A TIV S E F merican Landscape A lice of S

A Post Nature’s Roller Coaster 6 Sweeping around Wilson Lake and over the geological formations of the Saline River valley, Post Rock Scenic Byway offers a picturesque pathway you won’t soon forget. The endless sky Rock is a favorite of photographers, and a number of interesting sites are found throughout.

Garden of Eden – Lucas Created by Civil War veteran Samuel Perry Dinsmoor in the early 1900s, the Garden of Eden is Kansas’ only Visionary Sculpture Environment and stone log cabin.

LINCOLN 181

Lucas 18 Sylvan Grove

232

70 Wilson Lake Wilson RUSSELL – Russell County Located in the heart of the Smoky Hills, the park is considered by many to be the most beautiful in the state. It’s divided into two parts: Hell Creek and Otoe Park. Excellent ﬁshing, hunting and hiking add to the ELLSWORTH area’s popularity.

SCE N I C PLACE S P O I N T S OF IN TERES T F E S TIVA L S & EVEN T S

t Mini Park Mural, Lucas t Florence Deeble Rock Garden, Lucas t Wings Over Wilson, Lucas (June) t Bur Oak Nature Trail, Wilson Lake t Flying Pig Studio and Gallery, Lucas t After Harvest Czech Festival, Wilson (July) t Dakota Sandstone Rock Formations, Wilson Lake t Grassroots Arts Center, Lucas t Poker Run, Wilson Lake (July) t Overlook, Wilson Lake t Midland Railroad Hotel, Wilson t Adam’s Apple Festival, Lucas (Labor Day Weekend) t Red Cedar Trail, Wilson Lake t Round Stone Jail, Wilson t Oktoberfest, Wilson (October)

12 Post Rock Scenic Byway 6 P OST ROCK 13 ugust A ksbyways.org May- piderwort S ational N lorence lorence ilson is F W Prairie occidentalis Tradescantia rt Center, rt Center, A nd throughout the entire the entire nd throughout A ear the town of N owl Plaza as well as the Garden of owl Plaza as well as the Garden B riginals Market, where you can find hand- riginals Market, where O ansas-made products. ansas-made products. K ansas kullcap K S May-July In town you’ll find the Grassroots In town you’ll find the Grassroots Deeble Rock Garden, on the listed Eden and Cabin Home, which are Register of Historic Places. the crafted, of birds, species 225 than more encounter you may byway including waterfowl and bald eagles. Resinous Scutellaria resinosa acing a lack ansas. F K rt Capital of A moky Hills region. That moky Hills region. S

May-June iles of stone fence posts stand as a tribute to iles of stone fence posts stand as the ingenuity of the early settlers.

ucca Yucca glauca Yucca Y S creative essence certainly carried on, as the town of Lucas essence certainly carried on, creative the Grassroots is considered of trees, the innovative farmers and ranchers quarried the innovative farmers and ranchers of trees, have the fences they needed, which today to create rock become a trademark of the M ER OW L DF IL W Wilson (July) Wilson Lucas (Labor Day Weekend) Lucas (Labor Day Lucas (June) Wilson (October) Wilson Wilson Lake (July) Lake Wilson S T N Oktoberfest, Wings Over Wilson, Over Wings Czech Festival, Harvest After Run, Poker Festival, Apple Adam’s

t t t t t & EVE S L A TIV S E F ature’s Roller Coaster N Prairie A Trail of Adventure 7 Spanning 56 miles in north central Kansas, Prairie Trail Scenic Byway has a little bit of everything. You’ll discover scenic, historic, natural, cultural, archeological and Trail recreational sites and activities just about everywhere you turn.

Coronado Heights – Lindsborg Located just outside Lindsborg, Coronado Heights was named after the legendary explorer who is believed to have passed through the area in 70 the 1500s. You’ll encounter a castle, which affords breathtaking views of Salina Ellsworth Lindsborg and the Smoky Valley. 140 SALINE 141

Lindsborg ELLSWORTH Smoky Valley Rd 4 Marquette Roxbury e Maxwell Wildlife Refuge Av – Canton 27th Explore 2,800 acres of native prairie complete with guided tours of 14 56 Canton buffalo herds. The refuge also features roaming elk, more than 100 species of birds and a bluebird trail.

MCPHERSON 135

SCE N I C PLACE S P O I N T S OF I N TERES T F E S TIVA L S & EVEN T S

t Kanopolis State Park t 1883 Pioneer Jail, Canton t Millfest, Lindsborg (May) t McPherson State Fishing Lake, Canton t Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, Lindsborg t Thunder on the Smoky, Marquette (May) t Millennium Legacy Trail, Kanopolis State Park t Old Mill Museum, Lindsborg t Midsummer’s Day Festival, Lindsborg (June) t Valkommen Walking Tour, Lindsborg t Faris Caves, Marquette t Prairie Days, Canton (June) t Mushroom Rock State Park, Marquette t Kansas Motorcycle Museum, Marquette t Fort Harker Days, Kanopolis (July)

14 Prairie Trail Scenic Byway 7 PRA IRIE TRA IL 15 eptember ksbyways.org S July- Ten-petal Mentzelia Mentzelia decapetala tate Park, where you’ll ﬁnd tate Park, where S .,” where you’ll be greeted by four-foot-tall by four-foot-tall you’ll be greeted .,” where A nother must-see stop on the byway is the nother must-see stop on the byway . A S ugust A May- weden U. Prairie Trail meanders into Lindsborg, known as “Little into Lindsborg, meanders Prairie Trail S of art galleries and wooden “Dala” horses and a number museums. Rock unique Mushroom the face formations on rock some of the most interesting of the earth. our-o’clock F ild W Mirabilis nyctaginea ansas. Moving K ildlife Refuge spans 2,800 acres of ildlife Refuge spans 2,800 acres eptember S W

unﬂower

e and Chisholm Trails brought in travelers brought e and Chisholm Trails S July- F tripes Military1883 Pioneer Jail Museum, an S

anta

he byway begins in Canton, not far from where the where far from he byway begins in Canton, not S ommon Helianthus annuus C S tars and native prairie and features guided tours among the guided tours native prairie and features and elk. buffalo roaming and cattle back in the 1800s. The town itself houses the and cattle back in the 1800s. The S and the last Carnegie Library ever built in on, the Maxwell T ER OW L DF IL W S T N EVE S & L A TIV S E F dventure A Trail of A Into the Valley 8 Smoky Named for their hazy appearance at sunrise and sunset, the Smoky Hills provide an interesting transition between the mixed-grass and short-grass prairie of the plains. Native Valley wildﬂowers dot the region, including coneﬂowers, yucca and sky-blue pitcher sage.

Cedar Bluff State Park & Reservoir TREGO 283 – Trego County A great place to camp, hike, ﬁsh, bird watch and boat. The reservoir WaKeeney Ogallah hosts a number of ﬁshing tournaments and other events throughout the 70 year, including “Th’ Gatherin’” – a Celtic celebration with food, games Trego and music. Center

147

Threshing Machine Canyon 4 Ransom Brownell – Cedar Bluff State Park This historic site was the location of an 1867 Native American attack on a wagon train, which was transporting a threshing machine to Salt Lake City. The remains of the machine could be seen for years following the attack. 283 N ESS

SCE N I C PLACE S P O I N T S OF I N TERES T F E S TIVA L S & EVEN T S

t Emanuel Lutheran Church, Ogallah t Agave Ridge Hiking/Biking Trail, t Th’ Gatherin,’ WaKeeney (May) t Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery, WaKeeney Cedar Bluff State Park t Trego County Fair, WaKeeney (July) t Trego County Courthouse, WaKeeney t Scenic Overlook, Cedar Bluff State Park t Christmas City of the High Plains, WaKeeney (December) t Trego County Historical Museum, WaKeeney t Butterﬁeld’s Overland Despatch, WaKeeney t Wildﬂower Tours, WaKeeney (June) t Wilcox Schoolhouse, WaKeeney

16 Smoky Valley Scenic Byway 8 S M OKY V A LLEY 17 eptember ksbyways.org S June- urly-cup Gumweed C Grindelia squarrosa luff Dam & Reservoir, a trip to the top top the to trip a Reservoir, & Dam luff B t Cedar Cedar t A ugust A May- moky Hill chalk is known the world over for the fossils of of fossils the for over world the known is chalk Hill moky The croplands provide a panorama of vegetation, from the the from vegetation, of panorama a provide croplands The milo. of reds rich the to wheat winter of green emerald S these in discovered been have that life sea other and reptiles formations. the of view stunning a for makes bluffs 100-foot-tall the of wildlife. spot to way ideal an and below, area carlet Globe Mallow S Sphaeralcea coccinea verland O utterﬁeld’s B

May-July eardtongue B

hroughout the hills you’ll be greeted by a multitude of picturesque windmills. The area’s hite S Penstemon albidus W still legible after nearly two centuries. rich history is exempliﬁed elsewhere too, from the limestone markers identifying Despatch to the names carved into limestone bluffs, T ER OW L DF IL W S T N EVE S & L A TIV S E F Into the Valley Western Unveiled...Western Kansas History 9 You are invited on a 102-mile historic journey into what was once an ancient ocean. Discover breathtaking pinnacles of limestone rising above the plains, trace the trails of early pioneers, Vistas and follow the road once traveled by buffalo hunters.

Buffalo Bill Sculpture – Oakley Oakley is the “Birthplace of the Legend” of Buffalo Bill. A twice-life-sized bronze sculpture honors William F. Cody who won his title in a buffalo hunting contest with William Comstock in 1868 and later became world renowned for his “Wild West Show.” BARTON Winona Hoisington Cla"in 156 Oakley

h 27

4 e 40 Av NE

Sharon

100t Russell 96 Springs h e Springs Av NE

60t

Great Bend 56 Wallace 83 e Ellinwood 25 Av

RICE 27 e SE 60 WALLACELOGAN G OVE 56 Av 95 Monument Rocks NE 140th St NE 40th – Gove County Hudson Rising above the plains, you will ﬁnd a series of large chalk formations,

Raymond Rd 96 96 St. John NE 70th St Sta!ord Scott 50 City rich in fossils, formed approximately 80 million years ago. These STAFFORD RENO magniﬁcent large monoliths were created when chalk was deposited SCOTT 281 during the Cretaceous Period of geologic history. The region is known as the source of some of the best Cretaceous marine fossils that have been discovered anywhere in the world.

Cheyenne SCE N I C PLACE S H I S T O RIC SITES & MU S EUMS CULTUR A L A C TIVITIES Bottoms 156 BARTON Scenic Overlook Hoisington 4

K-4 CR t 2-30 Fick Fossil & History Museum, Oakley t Oakley (June) t Buffalo Bill Days,

96 e Garden of the Gods, Logan County Av NE

60th t El Quartelejo Museum & t State Cornhusking Contest, Oakley (October) 56 Great Bend e t The Nature Conservancy, Logan County Av Ellinwood Scott City Jerry Thomas Art Gallery, t Butterﬁeld Trail Ride, Russell Springs (June) e t Battle Canyon, Scott County SE 60 56 Av t Scott City Keystone Gallery, t Whimmydiddle Arts & Crafts Fair, Scott City (September) t Lake Scott State Park, Scott County

19 NE 40th NE 140th St t Russell Springs Butterfield Trail Museum, t Fort Wallace Rodeo, Wallace (May) Quivira Visitor’s t Mount Sunflower, Wallace County Center t Fort Wallace Museum, Wallace Raymond Rd St. John NE 70th St 50 STAFFORD 281 91 18 Western Vistas Historic Byway 10 WES TERN VI S T AS 19 ksbyways.org eptember S June- allace. W oolly Verbena moky Valley moky Valley ort S W stricta Verbena F ansas” – K mericans continued to explore mericans continued to explore ort in A F est. The press of immigration soon est. The press W ugust A June- merica’s Plains Indians. This led to a series of battles Plains Indians. merica’s and, eventually, by rail as and, eventually, their destiny in the tribes of of grounds began to intrude on the hunting A along the and the placement of several forts the “wildest toward Trail its fossil for is world renowned This geographic area be found today. discoveries and fossils continue to oneflower Grayhead Prairie C Ratibida pinnata ansas are visually ansas are K estern eptember S

W July-

readbasket.” The success of those early The success of those early readbasket.” B

tenosiphon

he badlands of rising with pinnacles of limestone breathtaking, Stenosiphon linifolius S merica’s merica’s A S farmers and ranchers helped draw additional immigrants farmers and ranchers helped draw wagon train, the East. They came on horseback, by from above the plains. These vast open plains provided herds herds plains provided above the plains. These vast open for grazing of migrating bison with rich grasslands become known and immense space for what would as “ T ER OW L DF IL W S TIVITIE C A

L A CULTUR Wetlands Time to Fly 10 Stretching some 76 miles, the Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway brings you up close and personal with the Central Flyway – North America’s most important migration route. &Wildlife It’s undoubtedly one of the most subtly beautiful natural regions in the country.

Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area – Great Bend Each year, Cheyenne Bottoms attracts anywhere from 45% to 90% of BARTON North America’s shorebirds during the spring and fall migrations. This Hoisington Claflin 156

h 64-square-mile basin is a surprising interruption of the prairie landscape, 4 e Av NE

96 100t as well as a critical resting and feeding place for migrating birds.

h e Av NE

60t

Great Bend 56 e Ellinwood Av

RICE e SE 60

56 Av

NE 140th St NE 40th Hudson Quivira National Wildlife Refuge – St. John St. John NE 70th St Raymond Rd Quivira National Wildlife Refuge is comprised of 22,135 acres of prairie Stafford 50 grass, salt marshes, sand dunes, canals, dikes and timber. Little Salt STAFFORD RENO Marsh and Big Salt Marsh are ancient basins that play host to more than 281 500,000 birds during spring migration. The refuge features a visitors center, as well as several hiking trails to bring you closer to nature.

SCE N I C PLACE S P O I N T S OF I N TERES T F E S TIVA L S & EVEN T S

t Scenic Overlook, Cheyenne Bottoms t Kansas Wetlands Education Center, Cheyenne Bottoms t Wings N Wetlands Birding Festival, Cheyenne Bottoms & Quivira (April, odd number years) t Prairie Walk at Dozier Winery, Ellinwood t Underground Tunnels, Ellinwood t St. John Jubilee, St. John (May) t Arkansas River Hike/Bike Trail, Great Bend t Barton County Historical Society Museum and t After Harvest Festival, Ellinwood (July) t The Nature Conservancy Cheyenne Village, Great Bend Bottoms Preserve, Hoisington t Kansas Raptor Center, Great Bend t Labor Day Celebration, Hoisington (Labor Day Weekend) t Scenic Overlook, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge t Street Light Metal Art Banners, Hoisington t Trail of Lights, Great Bend (November & December)

20 Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway 9 W ETL ANDS & W IL D LI F E

he byway is anchored by two of the largest wetland is the most important migration stopover point in the T systems in the world – Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Western hemisphere. Birds aren’t the only inhabitants you’ll Area and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. These giant encounter. The Bottoms is home to 23 species of mammals, marshes host incredible numbers of sandhill cranes, 19 species of reptiles and nine species of amphibians. At avocets, pelicans, whooping cranes, sandpipers, ducks, the Refuge, the marsh waters teem with crabs, crayﬁsh geese and many more species full of sound, motion and and frogs, while prairie dogs are alert to coyotes, red foxes, color. In fact, many naturalists believe Cheyenne Bottoms bobcats and badgers.

F E S TIVA L S & EVEN T S W ILDFL OWERS

Bull Thistle Common Spiderwort Broom Snakeweed Cirsium vulgare July-September Tradescantia ohiensis May-August Gutierrezia sarothrae August-September

ksbyways.org 21 State & Federal Recreation Areas Phone Byway Atchison State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area (913) 367-7811 Glacial Hills Barber State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area (620) 895-6446 Gypsum Hills Benedictine Bottoms Wildlife Area (913) 367-7811 Glacial Hills Bourbon State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area (620) 449-2539 Frontier Military Cedar Bluff State Park, Lake & Wildlife Area* (785) 726-3212 Smoky Valley Chase State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area (620) 767-5900 Flint Hills Cheyenne Bottoms (620) 793-7730 Wetlands & Wildlife Council Grove Lake (620) 767-5195 Flint Hills Council Grove Wildlife Area (620) 767-5900 Flint Hills AS Crawford State Park (620) 362-3671 Frontier Military Hillsdale Lake (913) 783-4366 Frontier Military ARE Hillsdale State Park & Wildlife Area* (913) 783-4507 Frontier Military Kanopolis Lake (785) 546-2294 Prairie Trail ON Kanopolis State Park (785) 546-2565 Prairie Trail TI

A La Cygne Wildlife Area (913) 352-8941 Frontier Military Leavenworth State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area (913) 845-2665 Glacial Hills/Frontier Military RE

C Logan Wildlife Area (785) 726-3212 Western Vistas

E Louisburg Middle Creek State Fishing Lake & Rutlader Wildlife Area (913) 783-4507 Frontier Military

R Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge (913) 352-8956 Frontier Military L Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area (913) 352-8941 Frontier Military A Maxwell Wildlife Refuge (620) 628-4592 Prairie Trail ER McPherson State Fishing Lake (620) 628-4592 Prairie Trail D Mined Land Wildlife Area (620) 431-0380 Frontier Military FE Mushroom Rock State Park (785) 546-2565 Prairie Trail

& Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (620) 486-2393 Wetlands & Wildlife Scott State Park, Lake & Wildlife Area* (620) 872-2061 Western Vistas TE

A Smoky Hill Wildlife Area (785) 658-2465 Prairie Trail Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (620) 273-8494 Flint Hills ST Wilson Lake (785) 658-2551 Post Rock Wilson State Park & Wildlife Area* (785) 658-2465 Post Rock

22 STA TE & FED ERA L RE C REA TION AREAS

Docks

Courtesy x x x x x x x x x x x x

Lanes

oat Ramp Ramp oat B x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Marina

x x x x x x x x x

Rental

oat

B x x

oating B

x x x x x x x x x x x

each B

wimming S x x x x x x x x x x x

eatures F

Historic x x x x x x x x

Trails

Equestrian

x x x x x x x Trails

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

ater W

Drinking x x x x x x x x x x x x x

earby N

Motel x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

helters S

Picnic x x x x x x x x x x x x x

ites S *The wildlife areas within the state parks might not have some amenities. Please call for information.

Reservable Reservable x x x x x x x

Cabins

Camping Camping x x x x x x x x

Camping

Primitive x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

tation S

Dump Dump x x x x x x x x x x

ater W &

Electric Electric x x x x x x x x x x

nly O

Electrical x x x x x x x

Utility

ull ull F x x x x x x x Hunting

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

ishing F x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Byway Etiquette

Kansas byways are home to some of the great natural landscapes in the United States. Please help us preserve this beautiful land of flowers and native grasses and refrain from disrupting natural geological features. These magnificent lands are home to many Kansas residents who welcome you to their communities, shops and restaurants. Please respect their privacy by not straying onto private land, climbing fences or gates or photographing residents and their families. Stay out of the way of wild animals, and please help keep everyone safe by obeying posted speed limits and sharing the roadways with large vehicles.

Acknowledgments Tour Kansas Byways by GPS

This book has been funded in part by the Kansas Department of Now you can enjoy a tour of a Kansas Byway from the Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration National Scenic comfort of your own car. Download a tour to your GPS or Byways Program through the Kansas Byways Program. mobile devices by visiting ksbyways.org/gpstours. Media- rich content includes visual images, point of interest data, For more information on the Kansas Byways, visit www.ksbyways.org. maps, GPS waypoints and tracks for touring through unique For hunting and ﬁshing opportunities, visit www.outdoorks.com. travel experiences along each byway. Contact Information Photo Credits

Kansas Department of Transportation Kansas Department of Wildlife, Bob Gress Mike Haddock, Kansas State University 700 SW Harrison Street Parks & Tourism Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau Richard Smalley Topeka, KS 66603-3754 Topeka, KS 66612-1354 Harland J. Schuster Ted Eubanks 800-684-6966 785-296-2009 Jerry Segraves www.ksbyways.org www.TravelKS.com

10 S A S N A K F O S Y A W Y B