Two Kansas Scenic Routes

I have visited one of the two Kansas scenic routes. The one I haven’t visited may be added to my husband and mine’s road trips sometime in the near future. After reading about Mount Sunflower, it reminded me of a scenic tour my family took in Oklahoma several times when I was growing up. My husband and I took that scenic route once while we lived in Oklahoma.

Northwestern Kansas Scenic Drives

Mount Sunflower – Kanorado, Kansas

When I first saw Mount Sunflower on a list of scenic drives for Kansas, for a moment I thought of Coronado Heights. I quickly realized the Kanorado scenic route was a different from Coronado Heights scenic route. Why did I think the two were the same, because I have visited the second scenic route about a dozen times on our way to a lake we have had outings to on occasions.

When I realized Kanorado and Mount Sunflower were located out in northwestern Kansas, I also realized I had never been there. I knew this because since I have lived in Kansas, my family hasn’t made a trip to northwestern Kansas. Even when I was a kid and the couple of times we went to Colorado, we didn’t venture that far north in Kansas.

Nonetheless, if you’re traveling through northern Kansas via the I-70 route during the spring, summer and early fall, you may want to add this scenic route to your destination. Mount Sunflower is located south of Kanorado, which is near the Kansas and Colorado borders, south of I-70 on Kansas Highway 27. There are further driving instructions for visiting this scenic byway at Kansastravel.org – Mount Sunflower.

Central Kansas Scenic Drives

Coronado Heights – Lindsborg, Kansas

As mentioned in the Northwestern Kansas Scenic Drives, my husband and I have driven by this scenic route several times on our way to Kanapolis Lake west of this Kansas landmark and through Lindsborg, Kansas. We have been able to see the castle from K-4 driving out of Lindsborg. It sits atop a hill where it is viewable from a drive by.

The scenic drive from Lindsborg to Kannapolis Lake is one you should take in the spring to early summer. You don’t have to take my word for it though.

The best thing about this scenic drive in central Kansas is you get a three for one deal. While you’re in Lindsborg, stop and see some of the sights in town. You will find crafters, historic sites, and restaurants from the small Swedish community.

Then take the map of driving directions for Coronado Heights with you and visit this historic place in Kansas. Once you have finished with Coronado Heights, take the drive to Kanapolis Lake for a scenic view of the rest of the area.

You can get Lindsborg, Kansas, from Interstate 135 via exit 72. You will then use the US 81 Business Route to Smokey Valley Road (also known as US 81 Business Route North). There are further road marker signs that can help you to this destination in Kansas.

Sources and Citations

Mount Sunflower

Mount Sunflower; Kansastravel.org
Mount Sunflower; Wikipedia
Best Scenic Drives & Byways in Kansas; Trails.com

Coronado Heights

Coronado Heights; NaturalKansas.com
Kanapolis Lake, Kansas; Google Maps
Lindsborg, Kansas; Wikipedia