Discover the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography
Anything on the natural side fits here. Landmarks, hiking trails, scenic drives, lakes, birds and wildlife, trees, wildflowers, grasses, pastures, hills, gardens, rivers and streams - and the varying natural landscapes. Notice the changes from one physiographic region to another.
An Eight Wonder of Kansas Geography
Rock City
1051 Ivy. From W. 1st, 3 miles west and south on K-106, then ½ mile west on Ivy. In this flat...An Eight Wonder of Kansas Geography
Four-State Lookout
From Main, ¼ mile north and west on 3rd, and at the fork take either turn up the hill. A...An Eight Wonder of Kansas Geography
Alcove Spring
1780 E. River. From Main, 2½ miles east and north on U.S. 77, 1¼ miles west on Tumbleweed,...An Eight Wonder of Kansas Geography
Konza Prairie
From I-70 exit 307, 5 miles north and east on McDowell Creek. The Konza Prairie is a...An Eight Wonder of Kansas Geography
Pillsbury Crossing
From 3rd in Manhattan, 2¼ mile south on Pierre (becomes K-177), 3¾ miles south and east on...An Eight Wonder of Kansas Geography
Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway
Your route begins at U.S. 183 just north of Coldwater and extends east on U.S. 160 to the city...An Eight Wonder of Kansas Geography
Mushroom Rock State Park
#11 on the Kanopolis Lake Legacy Trail tour. From K-140, 2 miles south on K-141, then 2 miles...An Eight Wonder of Kansas Geography
Maxwell Wildlife Refuge
From Railroad, 6½ miles north on Main (becomes 27), then 1¼ miles west on Pueblo. Maxwell...An Eight Wonder of Kansas Geography
Coronado Heights
From Main, ½ mile west on Lincoln, 2½ miles north on 13, 1 mile west on Winchester, then...An Eight Wonder of Kansas Geography
Gyp Hills Scenic Back Road
From U.S. 281, 3¼ miles west on U.S. 160, 6 miles south on Gyp Hill, 7 miles west on Scenic,...Check Out these other examples of Rural Culture Element Geography
How to get the most out of exploring? 8 Rural Culture Elements
When Mil Penner and Marci Penner started traveling the state in 1990, they asked townspeople what their town had that could be included in a guidebook. The common answer was that they had nothing and we should move on to the next town.
This biased answer prompted Mil and Marci to create the “rural culture element” concept to help towns inventory their assets. No matter the size of a town or a community, it either has evidence or a story to tell about each element. And, everything in a town fits into one of the eight element categories.
When you’re out exploring and can’t find information about a town, go through the checklist of the eight elements and ask yourself these questions. They will help you see the area with new eyes