Camp Creek / Verdigris Crossing
This is a low-water crossing over a shallow section of Camp Creek. Camp Creek merges into the Verdigris River about 200 feet south of the crossing. The Verdigris is visible as you come around the bend heading south. If it’s rained heavily recently, be careful here and do not drive into high or rapidly moving water. The creek crosses a public road, but the land and waterway on either side of the road are privately owned – remember to stay on the roadway.
Matfield Green Tower
If you’re wanting to watch a sunset, most locals agree this is a prime viewing point. Marking the spot is a 393-foot tall communications tower built in 1952.
Texaco Hill
Heading up to Texaco Hill is a beautiful drive through open range. Just west of the intersection of Madison Road and H50, you’ll see an oil rig. This is the top of Texaco Hill, at an elevation of 1,637 feet. Park near the oil rig to enjoy some of the best views in all of the Flint Hills. Texaco Hill is also a favorite challenge among local cyclists – conquering the uphill climb to the top on bicycle is worth it.
Teter Rock
There was once a small community here – Teterville, Kansas – founded in the 1920s during an oil boom. The community was named after James Teter who owned the land and oil fields.
The original Teter Rock was a pile of stones created as a guidepost to help homesteaders find their way. However, the original stones were later used in the construction of homes in the area. The current 16′ Teter Rock slab was created as a monument to the original by the Greenwood County Historical Society in 1954.
You’ll likely see cattle in the open range around Teter Rock. If you’re lucky, you may even see the wild horses who roam the area to the south.
There are no fences here, but stay close to the roadway as the surrounding area is private rangeland.
Madison, Kansas
Madison, population 689, is located in Greenwood County along the Verdigris River. Madison was founded in 1872 northwest of the present town. In 1879, the town was relocated to its present site when the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad was built. The first building was the home of W. H. Green, a Civil War veteran who came to Kansas in 1867 and operated a trading post. There is a Casey’s Gas Station at the corner of 4th & Lincoln (2 blocks south & 1 block west) if needed.
The route ends in Downtown Emporia, where you can enjoy unique local shopping and dining, events, a brewery and more.
One important request...
If you'll be trying our Jeep Route, please consider taking the Visit Emporia Pledge. It's important that our visitors are good stewards of the environment, community and culture of the area. The pledge explains our three core principles of stewardship. When you take the pledge, you'll get a sharable digital badge.
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