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Roads Home > Kansas Motorcycle
Roads |
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| Title:
Flint Hills Tour |
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State:
Kansas
Submitted
By: Anonymous
Date Submitted: Apr 00
Motorcycle Type: Custom Harley
Motorcycle Road Length: 105 Miles
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Motorcycle
Road Scenery: 
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This
is the famous Flint Hills area of Kansas known for its
stretch of rolling hills located in eastern Kansas. This
prairie land is covered in a blanket of wildflowers and
tall-grasses. The flowers include sunflowers and coneflowers
and the tall-grass can reach as high as 8-feet! This route’s
beauty comes from its survival from agricultural exploitation. When
settlers first passed through this area about 150 years
ago they largely left it undeveloped because of its rough
and rocky underlying surface. Its limestone and flint
foundation made it difficult to plow and because of that
it was left untouched by farmers. The northern part of
the route offers views of many limestone outcroppings. Heading
south the hills stretch out and broad views of expansive
prairies will keep you fascinated.
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Motorcycle
Road Quality:
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The
roads are hilly and have a lot of twists and turns. Watch
for waterfalls along the roadside in the spring. There are
stretches where little amenities are available. If going
off into a canyon or wilderness area, be sure you have plenty
of gas and drinking water.
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Motorcycle
Roadside Amenities: 
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Below
is a list of amenities along this route you may be interested
in visiting. They are described from north to south: -
The city of Manhattan is at the route’s beginning and home
of Kansas State University. Apparently the town got started
back in 1855 when a boat carrying settlers from Cincinnati
ran aground at the nearby Kansas River. In this town you
will find plenty of eating and lodging accommodations. -
If you would like to see the country’s largest parcel of
virgin tall-grass prairie you can stop by the Konza Prairie
Research Natural Area (west on Rte. 901 for about 5 miles,
(785-587-0441)). You can pick up a brochure and lead yourself
on a self guided tour of the protected prairie land which
offers three well marked touring trails. - Council Grove
Lake - there are some nice turnouts to give you great views
of this lake. - Council Grove is a town you will pass along
the way that served as an important supply stop for travelers
on the Santa Fe Trail. Local Indians sold rights of passage
through this area for $800 and the trunk of the tree, known
as Council Oak, where the agreement was signed, is located
under a gazebo at 210 East Main. You can learn more about
the history of the area by checking out the Kaw Mission
State Historic Site (316-767-5410). The site houses Native
American artifacts in a 1850s Indian School. - Don’t miss
the Z-Bar Ranch (316-273-8494 (by appointment, small fee))
located two miles north of Strong City. You can take a
tour of this “three-story Second Empire style” ranch built
in 1881 by the ultra-wealthy cattle baron S.F. Jones. The
entire structure and its surrounding outbuildings are all
built of limestone. This area is set to become a national
preserve to allow buffalo and antelope to once again roam
freely. - In Cottonwood Falls you will want to stop by this
tiny town to see the astounding Chase County Courthouse.
Built in 1873 the building is the oldest courthouse in Kansas
still in use and this impressive three-story limestone structure
built in French Renaissance-style offers tours (316-273-6493,
tours on weekends Feb-Oct, open daily). Also located in
Cottonwood is the Chase County Historical Society and Museum
at 301 Broadway (317-273-8500 call for operating hours).
- Cassoday Kansas is the “Prairie Chicken Capitol of the
World” and home of a large population of the interesting
prairie chicken. - El Dorado Lake - here you can take advantage
of the park’s recreational opportunities. The town of El
Dorado Lake offers Overland Wagon Trips on certain weekends
in the summertime (Kansas Travel and Tourism 800-252-6727).
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Start
your route in Manhattan
Kansas and head south on route 177. Stay on 177 all
the way down to the route's end at El Dora State Park.
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Additional
Information:
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