Discover 4 Of The Most Iconic Views In Kansas On This Epic 5-Hour Road Trip

Those who haven't spent much time here often think of Kansas as nothing but endless prairies and wheat fields, with nothing but plains as far as the eye can see. Of course, if you love the Sunflower State, you know that isn't exactly accurate. Sure, we are a relatively flat state compared to many others, but the rolling Flint Hills and gorgeous marshlands also take up quite a bit of our area. There's no shortage of beautiful places in Kansas, and if you're on the hunt for some of the state's best views, we think you'll love the road trip we've curated for you today. Check it out:

In all, the trip requires about five hours of driving, but it's definitely worth the time in the car to see some of these beautiful places in Kansas.

Check out the trip's fully customizable itinerary on Google Maps. You can add or remove stops if you want to change the trip up some.

1. Cimarron River Overlook

Your first stop will be the absolutely magnificent Cimmaron National Grassland, located at the corner of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado.

This sprawling preserve spans more than 108,000 acres, and offers up some amazing recreational opportunities, in addition to the stunning views.

2. Santa Fe Trail Tracks

Your next stop is the country's best-preserved section of the Santa Fe Trail. When the grass is dead, you can actually still see the trail tracks here from where travelers from Missouri made their way west across Kansas. The Santa Fe Trail Tracks are a fascinating bit of history. If you visit in the warm months, it might be difficult to see the wagon ruts, but even so, the flowers and greenery are quite gorgeous!

3. Cheyenne Bottoms Scenic Overlook

The 41,000-acre Cheyenne Bottoms is one of my favorite places in Kansas, mostly because it's so unexpected. People don't typically think of Kansas as having wetlands, but that's just what you'll find at this gorgeous spot. It's the country's largest interior wetland, and it's a stunning destination that's home to countless bird and animal species.

4. Coronado Heights Castle

Our final stop on this trip is the magnificent Coronado Heights, a castle built in the 1930s that looks straight out of a fairy tale. From the top of the castle, you can see for miles and miles, and there are also some picnic tables if you'd like to enjoy an al fresco meal here.

It was so hard to narrow this list down to just a few spots! What beautiful places in Kansas would you like to see featured on a road trip?

Whether you're heading out for a few hours or a few days, it's important to be prepared when hitting the road for adventure. Check out our Road Trip Essentials packing guide for a list of supplies you'll want to bring along for the journey.