Road trips in Kansas often focus on the eastern side of the state, where our larger cities are. They’re certainly great and worthy of exploration, but we also have plenty of incredible rural gems that deserve a visit. We’ve put together a rural road trip in Kansas that will take you to some of our favorite countryside spots in the less-populated half of our state. Check it out:
Google Maps The entire drive is just under 3.5 hours. You’ll be traveling through western Kansas. Check out the itinerary on Google Maps - it’s customizable, so add or remove stops if you like.
- Glen Elder State Park: 2131 180 Rd, Glen Elder, KS 67446
Jim Hoffheins/Google Maps Your first stop is the massively underrated Glen Elder State Park. This place spans 13,000 acres and is nestled along the north shore of Waconda Lake. There are great opportunities here for camping, fishing, swimming, or just frolicking on the sandy beach. Glen Elder State Park, 2131 180 Rd, Glen Elder, KS 67446, USA
- World’s Largest Ball of Twine: 719 Wisconsin St, Cawker City, KS 67430
Jay T. Robinson/Google Maps It may seem like a strange thing for there to be debate over, but it’s a contentious title as to which ball of twine is the world’s largest. You’ll find the largest ball of sisal twine built by a community in Cawker City, Kansas. The ball was originally created by one man with a vision, who built a ball of twine with an 11-foot diameter and passed away in 1974. The city built an open-air gazebo to display the mighty ball, and each August, the annual Twine-a-thon is held. More twine is added to the ball by citizens of this devoted small town. The ball now measures more than 18,000 pounds, with a circumference of more than 41 feet! World’s Largest Ball of Twine, 719 Wisconsin St, Cawker City, KS 67430, USA
- S. P. Dinsmoor’s Garden of Eden: 305 E 2nd St, Lucas, KS 67648
semper crescis/Google Maps Your next stop is the Garden of Eden. This is one of the strangest places you can go in Kansas. The place was once the home of a Civil War veteran who devoted his life to creating biblical and political art. You can take a guided tour of the sculpture park and even see the body of the artist himself - his will stated that he should be laid to rest in a glass coffin and put on display in his home. S. P. Dinsmoor’s Garden of Eden, 305 E 2nd St, Lucas, KS 67648, USA
- Grassroots Art Center: 213 S Main St, Lucas, KS 67648
Seth Tones/Google Maps The town of Lucas is a true delight and we recommend staying a while if you’ve got the time. Another great spot to stop here is the Grassroots Art Center. This museum focuses on folk art by self-taught artists. Grassroots Art Center, 213 S Main St, Lucas, KS 67648, USA
- Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame: 603 5th Ave, Dodge City, KS 67801
Portia Davenport/Google Maps Your final stop on this rural road trip in Kansas is the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame in Dodge City. This is the first institution of its kind in the country. It focuses on honoring past and present teachers who have made a difference in the lives of Kansas children. The building is also home to the Famous Gunfighters’ Wax Museum, which houses plenty of creepy wax figures of various Wild West celebrities. Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame, 603 5th Ave, Dodge City, KS 67801, USA
Do you have any other spots in the Sunflower State that you think belong on a rural road trip in Kansas? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Google Maps
The entire drive is just under 3.5 hours. You’ll be traveling through western Kansas. Check out the itinerary on Google Maps - it’s customizable, so add or remove stops if you like.
Jim Hoffheins/Google Maps
Your first stop is the massively underrated Glen Elder State Park. This place spans 13,000 acres and is nestled along the north shore of Waconda Lake. There are great opportunities here for camping, fishing, swimming, or just frolicking on the sandy beach.
Glen Elder State Park, 2131 180 Rd, Glen Elder, KS 67446, USA
Jay T. Robinson/Google Maps
It may seem like a strange thing for there to be debate over, but it’s a contentious title as to which ball of twine is the world’s largest. You’ll find the largest ball of sisal twine built by a community in Cawker City, Kansas. The ball was originally created by one man with a vision, who built a ball of twine with an 11-foot diameter and passed away in 1974. The city built an open-air gazebo to display the mighty ball, and each August, the annual Twine-a-thon is held. More twine is added to the ball by citizens of this devoted small town. The ball now measures more than 18,000 pounds, with a circumference of more than 41 feet!
World’s Largest Ball of Twine, 719 Wisconsin St, Cawker City, KS 67430, USA
semper crescis/Google Maps
Your next stop is the Garden of Eden. This is one of the strangest places you can go in Kansas. The place was once the home of a Civil War veteran who devoted his life to creating biblical and political art. You can take a guided tour of the sculpture park and even see the body of the artist himself - his will stated that he should be laid to rest in a glass coffin and put on display in his home.
S. P. Dinsmoor’s Garden of Eden, 305 E 2nd St, Lucas, KS 67648, USA
Seth Tones/Google Maps
The town of Lucas is a true delight and we recommend staying a while if you’ve got the time. Another great spot to stop here is the Grassroots Art Center. This museum focuses on folk art by self-taught artists.
Grassroots Art Center, 213 S Main St, Lucas, KS 67648, USA
Portia Davenport/Google Maps
Your final stop on this rural road trip in Kansas is the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame in Dodge City. This is the first institution of its kind in the country. It focuses on honoring past and present teachers who have made a difference in the lives of Kansas children. The building is also home to the Famous Gunfighters’ Wax Museum, which houses plenty of creepy wax figures of various Wild West celebrities.
Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame, 603 5th Ave, Dodge City, KS 67801, USA
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