The Flint Hills

Voted one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas, the Flint Hills are a special, magical place. Located west of Emporia, and extending north and south for several hundred miles, the Flint Hills are one of the last remaining tallgrass prairie eco-systems in the world.

Over 250 million years ago, the Flint Hills of Kansas was a vast inland sea that deposited great layers of limestone, shale, and flint. The Flints Hills were created as softer shales eroded away, leaving behind hardened flint shelves, in a process called differential erosion.

With more than 40 grass species, some of which grow taller than your upstretched arms, and hundreds of wildflowers species, the Tallgrass prairie ecosystem in the Flint Hills of eastern Kansas is a sight to behold.

Of the 140 million acres of tallgrass prairie grasslands that once existed in North America, less than four percent remains today. Complimenting the beauty of the grasses and wildflowers, you will find 150 bird species, 30 kinds of reptiles and amphibians, 31 mammal species, and some 10 million insects per acre.

Things to Do in the Flint Hills

Community Group Rides [favorite_button]

Whether you’re a seasoned competition rider, an “adventure and have fun with your friends” rider or you really want to get started riding, Emporia is the place to be! We… Read more

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Flint Hills National Scenic Byway [favorite_button]

Running from Council Grove to Cassoday, this Byway offers incredible views of the native grasses and flowers of the tallgrass prairie – one of the last remaining such landscapes left… Read more

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Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge [favorite_button]

This wildlife refuge lies in the broad, flat Neosho River Valley, a native tallgrass prairie region with natural scenic beauty. 18,463 acres of habitats are managed to provide food and… Read more

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Flint Hills Nature Trail [favorite_button]

The Flint Hills Nature Trail stretches for 117 miles across east-central Kansas and crosses the beautiful Flint Hills. Following the general route of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail, the… Read more

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Flint Hills Quilt Trail [favorite_button]

Tour the rural community on the Flint Hills Quilt Trail and see traditional stars and various quilt patterns displayed on barns, homes, sheds and buildings throughout the Flint Hills. Visit… Read more

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Iconic Cycling Routes [favorite_button]

If you’re looking for cycling routes through the Flint Hills, Gravel City Adventure & Supply has scouted, mapped, and rated the best! Routes are sorted by difficulty level, from beginner… Read more

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Pioneer Bluffs [favorite_button]

Explore Pioneer Bluffs, a turn of the century ranch dedicated to sharing the history of the Flint Hills. Enjoy one of the many concerts or art festivals at this unique… Read more

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Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve [favorite_button]

The 10,894 acre Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve protects a nationally significant remnant of the once vast Tallgrass prairie and its cultural resources. Less than 4% of the 400,000 acres of… Read more

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