Flint Hills
Scenic Byway
K-177 Highway

Flint Hills Scenic Byway logo

Flint Hills Scenic Byway map

 The Flint Hills 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 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.

The Flint Hills 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, see the Kansas Scenic Byways web site.

For more Wildlife Watching sites in the Flint Hills, click here Click here for more Wildlife Watching sites in the Flint Hills!

Other Scenic Byways in Kansas
Flint Hills Frontier Glacial Hills Gypsum Hills Native Stone Postrock Smoky Valley Wetlands & Wildlife Tours & Trails

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©2007 Kansas Nature-Based Tourism Alliance
 Re-publication of site content in any form other than for personal use requires written permission.

This web site is underwritten by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks through the Chickadee Checkoff Program.  If you are a Kansas resident, please assist with this and other wildlife viewing and conservation programs by contributing to the Chickadee Checkoff on your state tax form.

Questions or comments about Natural Kansas may be directed to Jim Mason