Did you know we've got plenty of caves in Kansas? We may be better known for our weird and wacky rock formations, like those at the mighty Chalk Pyramids or Mushroom Rock State Park, but there are lots of cool caves here, too. If you're a big fan of them, you'll definitely want to check out this day trip to several great caves in the central Kansas area! This adventure is a great way to explore some of the prettiest places in the state, all in one 15,000-acre state park: Kanopolis State Park in Ellsworth County. The Faris Caves at Kanopolis are an absolute treasure, and they're definitely worth a visit.
The underrated Kanopolis State Park is tucked away at just about the dead-center point of Kansas. It was actually the first state park to be designated in the Sunflower State. There are quite a few caves inside and around the park.
But in addition to the gorgeous landscape and the beautiful Kanopolis Lake, you'll also find plenty of caves! Caves are probably not the first type of landscape that comes to mind when you think of Kansas, but we have many thanks to our history of limestone mining.
The three caves are each about 12 feet by 12 feet, and they've served various purposes through the years. Before the advent of refrigeration, they were used to store food, and they even served as classrooms in a rural schoolhouse.
Depending on the weather, these caves are known to have standing water and might not be accessible. So double-check with the park and follow all posted guidelines.
What a unique hidden gem right in the heart of central Kansas! For more information about the caves and amenities at Kanopolis State Park, or to make camping reservations, check out the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website.
Have you ever seen any of the caves at Kanopolis State Park? Share your experiences in the comments!
Ellsworth is a great place to visit and/or stay a while. In fact...you might just find a few (literal) hidden gems! And likely a few sweet treats as well, like this tasty ice cream shack.
Fall in Kansas is such a wonderfully special time. The menus are full of pumpkin spice everything, it seems like there's a great fall festival being held just about every weekend, and the crisp autumn air feels so much more comfortable than the humid days of summer.
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As soon as the season starts to change, many of us start to wonder "When do leaves change color in Kansas?" Those of you with foliage on the brain will be glad to know that we have a Kansas fall foliage map 2024 from Smoky Mountains that makes timing your leaf peeping just a little bit easier. If you're planning a fall foliage road trip in Kansas, you'll definitely want to check out this interactive map.
Of course, the one predictable thing about Kansas weather is that it's unpredictable. There's no sure answer to "When do leaves change in Kansas?" but even so, this fall foliage predictor uses past history and weather to try to give a good estimate.
More specifically, SmokyMountains.com utilizes a refined data model that depends on a combination of factors, including historical temperature and precipitation, forecast temperature and precipitation, the type of tree known to be prominent in that geographic region, the historical trends in that area, and user data. It's not an exact science, but this method yields a rather impressive track record in terms of accurately predicting when the leaves will change across the US!
Kansas's northern half tends to be at peak colors about a week or so before the southern half, so keep that in mind if you're planning a trip. And take note: by the beginning of November, nearly all of autumn's beautiful hues will be gone.
Where's your favorite spot for catching fall foliage in Kansas? Share your leaf-peeping places in the comments!
Check out the full Kansas fall foliage map 2024 at the Smoky Mountains website.
I absolutely love lacing up my hiking boots and hitting the trails when fall hits. There's nothing better than enjoying the brilliant scenery and cool weather. If you are also a fan of fall hiking in Kansas, consider signing up for a free trial of Alltrails+. You'll get to enjoy benefits like downloadable trail maps and more.
Unfortunately, the Sunflower State doesn't always get the national attention it deserves. We're typically considered a flyover state, somewhere filled with endless plains filled with corn and wheat. Those of us who love this magical place know that is far from the truth, and that there are virtually infinite natural wonders in Kansas. One of my favorite things about Kansas is the variety of scenery here. We're far from just rural farmland and one-stoplight towns. There's a grand array of landscapes to be enjoyed here, and it feels like the wonders of Kansas are never-ending! Here are a few of the best nature spots in Kansas that belong on every traveler's bucket list:
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Best Gorges & Canyons In Kansas
We have a reputation for being as flat as a pancake, but that's false. There are a handful of states that are flatter than ours, and there are actually several gorges and canyons in Kansas. Sure, they might not have the size and scope of the Grand Canyon, but they're just as impressive in their own right! Check out these must-see nature places in Kansas:
Location: Just north of St. Francis in Cheyenne County
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Wow Factor: It's not every day you get to see massive canyons in Kansas!
Cost: Free, but make sure you remain on the public roads and don't trespass into private property
The state is known for its flat lands, but at
" target="_blank">Arikaree Breaks, you'll find huge ravines and gullies. The structures here are more than two to three miles wide and 36 miles in length. The land here was broken up and eroded over thousands of years to create this rough landscape. There are several public roads traveling through the breaks that provide excellent viewpoints of the scenery here.
Wow Factor: If you need to convince someone that Kansas isn't flat and boring, this is a great place to start. The canyons here are some of the best in the western states.
Cost: $5-6 vehicle fee for day use
If you want amazing hiking, biking, or equestrian trails, Kanopolis Lake State Park is the place to head. The park spans more than 22,000 acres and showcases the magnificent Horsethief Canyon, a sandstone canyon that looks like something from another planet. It's easy to see why the trail through the canyon is one of the most popular hikes in Kansas. There's a really neat cave within the canyons that's fun to explore, or you can just trek through the canyon's red walls.
Best Caves In Kansas
There's something so mesmerizing about caves in Kansas that just inspires the imagination. Looking into the blackness of a cavern and thinking about how far back it could go is an exercise in child-like wonder! Here are a few of our best nature spots in Kansas if you are a fellow lover of caves:
Wow Factor: These unique structures are great fun for kids and kids at heart!
Cost: $5-6 day use vehicle fee
We have a surprising number of caves in Kansas, but many are located on private land and not accessible to the public. Another destination at Kanopolis Lake State Park that makes it one of the state's most beautiful places is the slide caves here. You'll find several along the Buffalo Track Nature Trail, an easy, kid-friendly hike through the canyon. The sandstone here has eroded away into the shape of a natural slide, which makes for a fun photo op.
Wow Factor: This above-ground cave is home to one of the most unique ecosystems in Kansas.
Cost: Free to see from the outside, but visitors are not allowed in the cave
This cave in southeast Kansas is pretty cool! It's more than a half-mile in length, and home to some of the rarest animals in the state. There are some unique species of salamanders living within the cave, which is made of Mississippian limestone. Note that you are not able to enter the cave due to the delicate ecosystem within, but it's an easy walk to access the cave's exterior, and it's quite cool to see how large it is, even from the outside.
Best Waterfalls In Kansas
Aah, waterfalls. They're practically synonymous with natural wonders! Seeing the beauty and power of a roaring cascade of water as it falls down below is an experience unlike any other. We are lucky enough to have quite a few beautiful waterfalls in Kansas, many of which don't even require much hiking. Here are a couple of the most impressive:
Wow Factor: This isn't the tallest waterfall in Kansas, but it's certainly one of the most beautiful.
Cost: Free
This is one of the more popular waterfalls in Kansas thanks to its steady flow. It's a great place to check out the natural beauty of the rolling hills in this region of the state. This triple waterfall drops about 40 feet in total. For more information about the quick hiking trails to reach the falls, check out Alltrails.
Wow Factor: As the tallest waterfall in Kansas, this one's a must for any bucket list.
Cost: Free
Geary Falls is another waterfall tucked away in the picturesque Flint Hills, and it just so happens to also be the tallest waterfall in Kansas. It's about 35 feet in height. Spring is a great time to visit: the flow is typically quite heavy, and the surrounding area is filled with wildflowers.
Best Overlooks & Scenic Vistas In Kansas
If you've ever gone on a scenic drive through the Sunflower State, you know that there are some pretty spectacular panoramic viewpoints along our many roads. Whether you're hiking on a trail or exploring an old dirt road, you'll find no shortage of scenic overlooks in Kansas.
Wow Factor: This makes for one of the prettiest American road trips, and the scenery is so unique.
Cost: Free
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The Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway spans just over 40 miles through southern Kansas. This is a magnificently beautiful area that makes for an incredible getaway. The landscape is nothing like what you'd typically expect in Kansas. The rolling red hills, buttes, and canyons will make you feel like you're on another planet.
Wow Factor: This is one of the most underrated gems in the USA - it's a magical place.
Cost: Free
With more than 22,000 acres to explore, you certainly won't get bored in the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. We're not exactly known for our wetlands here, but this unique ecosystem houses a diverse collection of birds, amphibians, and reptiles. It's an absolutely stunning place that everyone should visit.
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Best Rock Formations In Kansas
Is it just me, or do the rock formations in Kansas really rock?! These ancient structures contain so many centuries of history, and it's absolutely awe-inspiring to see the effects that weather and the years have had on these mighty rocks. These are some of the most unique nature places in Kansas, and we're so lucky to have so many cool-looking ones within our borders.
Wow Factor: This area of the state is like Kansas's very own Badlands. This is such a fascinating landmark and it's a must-visit.
Cost: Free
Interestingly enough, this little rock city is not actually made of rocks. These are Niobrara chalk formations, and some tower more than 70 feet in height. Monument Rocks were formed when this part of North America was covered by the ocean. These deposits of chalk were once at the bottom of the ocean, and when the waters receded, the chalk deposits remained after 80 million years. This is such an amazing place!
Wow Factor: This hidden gem is so impressive to see in person and it deserves way more attention than it gets.
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Cost: Free
Castle Rock is one of the most under-appreciated gems in Kansas, if you ask me. This is another chalk formation, and while it's smaller than Monument Rocks because it stands all on its lonesome, it's just as tall, at 70 feet in height. Structures like this are, sadly, extremely susceptible to erosion, so one day, they'll be all gone. It's important to check out natural wonders in Kansas like this before they disappear.
This 330-acre park in western Kansas is made up of Smoky Hill Chalk and it's quite stunning. The park gets its name because of its resemblance to the streets of ancient Jerusalem. It's a truly unique spot made up of hundreds of concretions that will make you feel like you stepped onto another planet. Since the chalk formations here are millions of years old, there are tons of fossils ingrained within them. Keep your eyes peeled for shells and bones as you examine the beautiful structures.
Wow Factor: This place is completely unique and it's certainly easy to see how it got its name.
Cost: Free
When you hear that Mushroom Rock State Park is the smallest state park in Kansas at only five acres, you might be tempted to skip it, but don't! This place is absolutely amazing - it's got a collection of fascinating rock formations created from sandstone, sedimentary rock, and natural cement. They were formed millions of years ago and were once meeting places for Native Americans who lived in the area.
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Unique Natural Wonders In Kansas
Some natural attractions in Kansas don't fit into easy categories like "waterfalls" or "rock formations." Here are a few of the best nature spots in Kansas that aren't quite as easily categorized as the places above, but are just as worthy of an adventure:
Wow Factor: This is one of the last remaining examples of a tallgrass prairie ecosystem that was once extremely common in the area.
Cost: Free
Landscape like this was once quite common all over North America, but civilization has not been kind to the tallgrass prairies. Less than 5% of the 400,000 square miles that were once here now remain, and we're lucky enough to have much of it in Kansas. The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is a protected area that's a perfect example of this unique ecosystem. It's a perfect place for a contemplative stroll.
Wow Factor: As the largest wetlands in the interior of the United States, the Cheyenne Bottoms are definitely worth a visit.
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Cost: Free
Are you noticing a trend here? There's a lot more variety to Kansas scenery than many outsiders think there is! The Cheyenne Bottoms wetlands span more than 41,000 acres and are an important stopping point for birds on their annual migrations. Because of this, it's an immensely popular spot for bird-watching. More than 350 different species of birds have been spotted here, and about 45% of all shorebird species in the country utilize the Cheyenne Bottoms during their migrations.
Wow Factor: This mighty grassland is peak Kansas: this is the type of landscape most people think of when they imagine the Sunflower State.
Cost: Free
Tucked away in southwest Kansas, you'll find the stunning Cimarron National Grasslands. This gorgeous preserve spans more than 100,000 acres and encompasses part of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail, which was once a popular trading route for early pioneers. The grasslands feature a number of outdoor exhibits and informative signs about the history of the region, and this is a wonderful place for camping.
I don't know about you, but I'm itching to go on a road trip now to check out some of these fascinating places! Did we miss your favorite natural wonder in Kansas? Share your suggestions in the comments!
