Flint Hills
National Scenic Byway
K-177 Highway

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The Flint Hills National Scenic Byway stretches 47.2 miles across the Flint Hills of Kansas on
K-177 between Council Grove and Cassoday in east central Kansas. It is a beautiful drive
year-round showing off the panoramic vistas of the tallgrass prairie. Historic sites
abound in Council Grove including the Kaw Mission State Historic Site and Museum, Council
Oak, Santa Fe Trail, Old Cowboy Jail, Post Office Oak and Museum, KATY Depot, Hays House
and the Last Chance Store. Continuing south, the byway passes the recently designated Tallgrass Prairie National
Preserve with its showcase limestone mansion, Fox Creek Schoolhouse and barn. It
then goes through Strong City and Cottonwood Falls, site of the Chase County Courthouse,
in operation since 1873, and the Roniger Native American Museum. South of Cottonwood
Falls, the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway travels above the hills for more panoramic views of
the ranches in the area then dips down into the creekside to follow magnificent stone
walls around historic farmsteads still in operation. Cassoday is the southern end of the
byway where antique shoppers may find just what they have been looking for and may also
visit the Cassoday Museum.
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The Flint Hills National Scenic Byway is a two-lane, paved road easily reached from the Kansas
Turnpike (I-35) , I-70, U.S. 50 and U.S. 56. Tourist amenities are available in the towns
along the route including historic restaurants, hotels, antiques, artisans, and other
facilities. A scenic overlook site is located just south of Cottonwood Falls with a raised
bed of native wildflowers, interpretive signs and a panoramic view of the surrounding
area. The local byway committee is in the process of developing additional
educational kiosks and a radio broadcast system to further enhance the traveler's
experience in the future.
This byway was designated a
National Scenic Byway on September 22, 2005.
There are many good wildlife viewing opportunities along the Byway. These include
Chase State Lake, Council Grove Lake,
the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. When road
conditions permit, the Flint Hills
Wildlife Drive is a good way to see the back country here.

For more information, contact the Kansas Scenic Byways Program,
1-800-684-6966,
or see the
Kansas Scenic Byways web site.
Download the brochure for the Flint Hills National Scenic
Byway by clicking here.
For more Wildlife Watching sites in the Flint Hills, click
here


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