Flint Hills
Drive the Flint Hills of eastern Kansas to see one of the largest remaining tallgrass prairies in North America, with small ranch towns along the way.
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The Flint Hills run across eastern Kansas, where shallow, rocky soil kept much of the land from being plowed. What remains is tallgrass prairie, one of the largest such stretches left in North America. Ranchers graze cattle on the grass in summer. Each spring they burn pastures to clear old growth, which leaves the hills mottled in black and green.
The hills suit a slow road trip more than a city break. The Flint Hills Scenic Byway, Kansas Highway 177, passes small towns including Council Grove and Cottonwood Falls. The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve near Strong City protects a section of the grass, with a visitor center and hiking trails. Late spring and early summer bring green grass and wildflowers, and in fall the grass turns gold. Allow a full day for the byway and a walk on one of the preserve trails.
Flint Hills in five
- Rent a car before you arrivePublic transit is limited in the small towns and across the preserve, and the towns sit far apart. A rental car from Wichita or Kansas City is the practical way to drive the byway.Getting around
- Reserve a bed in the small townsLodging in the small towns is limited, so book before you arrive. Staying in one base makes early starts on the prairie easier.Where to stay
- Check the spring burn scheduleRanchers burn pastures in spring, and the smoke can cut visibility on the roads. Ask the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve about current burns before you drive out.
- Download offline maps before the highwayPhone signal drops out on the rural roads between towns. Save offline maps of the byway while you still have coverage.Phones and eSIM
- Order Flint Hills beef at a local caféCattle grazing is the region's main land use, so beef is a common order. Ask which café serves beef from the surrounding ranches.
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for Visa Waiver passports; other nationalities need a US visa Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected in restaurants and bars, usually 15 to 20%
- Time
- UTC-6 (Central Time), UTC-5 in daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryCold, bare hills
- FebruaryCold, brown grass
- MarchBurn season, smoky
- AprilGreen-up, burns
- MayGreen, wildflowers
- JuneHot, green
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHot, dry
- SeptemberMild, clear
- OctoberGolden grass
- NovemberCool, bare
- DecemberCold, quiet
Right now in Flint Hills
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 20°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 36 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 60%
Flint Hills
04:39 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°17°60%Monday: Rain. High 23°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Tue19°10°23%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Wed17°8°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu17°9°33%Thursday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Fri17°7°5%Friday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat20°8°5%Saturday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sun14°7°5%Sunday: Clear. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 5%.
Updated 01:56 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Wichitaabout 1.5 hours by carThe largest city nearby, with the main airport and a wider choice of restaurants.Read the guide
- Manhattanabout 1 hour by carA university town home to Kansas State University, with museums and shops.
- Council Groveabout 45 to 60 min by carA Santa Fe Trail town with historic buildings, good for a half day.
Before you go to Flint Hills
Rules for Flint Hills, checked
- Check whether your passport qualifies for ESTA or needs a US visa before you fly. Details are at travel.state.gov.Source
- The drinking age is 21, so carry your passport or a driver's license when you go out.
- Much of the Flint Hills is private ranch land. Stay on public roads and trails, and ask before you cross any pasture.
- Close any gate you open on a ranch road, and give livestock trucks and cattle room on gravel roads.
Plan around Flint Hills
Where the Flint Hills sit in the wider state
Read the guideGetting around the hillsRental cars and long rural drives on the byway
Read the guideWhere to stayLodging options in the small towns
Read the guideFestivals and eventsRodeos and events across the region
Read the guideCoverage on rural roadsOffline maps and data for the countryside
Read the guideField reportWhat the drive and the towns are like on the ground
Read the guideFlint Hills FAQ
How many days do you need in the Flint Hills?
One day covers the preserve and a drive on the byway. Two days let you visit Cottonwood Falls and Strong City and see the hills at different times of day.
Is the Flint Hills worth visiting?
Yes, if you like open tallgrass prairie, quiet rural roads and small-town meals. It is a poor fit for nightlife or long museum days.
When is the best time to visit the Flint Hills?
Late spring brings green grass and wildflowers, and early autumn turns the grass gold. Spring burns in March and April can bring smoke to the roads.
Do you need a car in the Flint Hills?
Yes. The towns are small and far apart, and the drives are the reason to come. Pick up a car at Wichita or Kansas City before you head out.
What is the nearest airport to the Flint Hills?
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is the closest large airport, about 1.5 hours by car to Cottonwood Falls. Kansas City is farther but has more flights.
Is the Flint Hills safe for tourists?
The towns are quiet and small. Watch for livestock and deer on rural roads at dusk, and do not leave valuables visible in a parked car.