Explore limestone Flint Hills, virgin tall prairie grass, tree-lined valleys, rocky ledges, and see Native American artifacts, grazing cattle, and Prairie Chicken.
For a true glimpse of America’s Heartland, this 2-hour, 90-mile outing passes through the heart of the limestone Flint Hills and into the biggest remaining tracts of tallgrass prairie in the entire United States. The route sets off from Manhattan, home of Kansas State University, founded in 1855. Heading south on Route 177 through the rolling terrain, a quick detour right on Route 901 leads to the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area. Owned and operated jointly by The Nature Conservancy and Kansas State, the area encompasses 8,616 acres of the country’s last remaining virgin tall prairie grass. Back on Route177, after crossing over I-70, the road cuts through pastures of wildflowers and grass.
Proceed south past tree-lined rocky ledges and valleys through Council Grove, which served as an important supply stop for travelers on the Santa Fe Trail, which actually began here. The very famous Hays House Restaurant on Main Street dates back from 1857. Kaw State Mission Historic Site, housed in an 1850s Indian school, offers a comprehensive overview of the area’s history, as well as an assortment of Native American artifacts.
Continue driving south into Chase County, the eye-popping Z-Bar Ranch lies just north of Strong City. Built by a cattle magnate in 1881, the ranch highlights a 3-story limestone block ranch and 180 surrounding acres of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. The route continues south through small Cottonwood Falls (population 900) to the heart of the Flint Hills, with its scenes of grazing cattle and native grasses, to the ranching community of Cassoday, which is referred to as the “Prairie Chicken Capital of the World.” Hunted in the fall, these short-tailed grouse are famous for their noisy courtship dance.
Starting Point:
Manhattan, KS
Distance of Drive:
90 miles
Must Eat:
Hays House Restaurant
112 West Main St., Council Grove, KS 68846
Phone: 620-767-5911
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Good Stop For: Brisket
Little Apple
1110 Westloop Place Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: 758-539-5500
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Best Time of Year for Drive:
Spring to fall
Points of Interest on Drive:
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Konza Prairie Research Natural Area
Tagged with: Kansas • limestone
Filed under: Best Road Trips