Treasure Emporia and the Flint Hills

Voted one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas, the Flint Hills are one the last remaining tallgrass prairie ecosystems in the world. Sweeping vistas extend as far as the eye can see, with little to no human-made structures in sight. It is a quiet beauty that brings feelings of calm and oneness with nature.

Over 250 million years ago, the Flint Hills of Kansas were a vast inland sea that deposited layers of limestone, shale, and flint. The softer shales eroded away, leaving behind hardened flint shelves and creating the steep-sided tabletops that give the Flint Hills their distinctive shape.

Traveling over the hills and valleys in the Flint Hills will certainly challenge your idea that Kansas is flat. The hills come alive in spring with sweeping carpets of emerald green grasses and native wildflowers. With a population of less than 12.7 people per square mile, your primary company may be the hawks, songbirds, deer, and coyotes commonly spotted throughout the region. Evenings in the Flint Hills often put on a show of breathtaking sunsets and brilliant stars, perfect for gazing in quiet stillness. The Flint Hills are truly one of America’s unique places, harboring a wealth of adventure, beauty, and history.

If you eat meat, there's a good chance you've dined on beef that was grazed on the protein-rich bluestem grasses of the Flint Hills. Cattle ranching in the Flint Hills has been an important part of the local economy and culture for generations. Flint Hills ranching is unique in that controlled pasture burning is in integral part of the process, and the annual spring burns are a sight to behold. The process renews the land, reduces the risk of wild fires, and provides healthy new grasses that nourish over 1 million head of cattle annually.

Another deeply rooted aspect is Emporia's thriving Latino culture, which dates back nearly 120 years when many Latinos immigrated to the area to work on the Santa Fe Railroad. Both Cinco de Mayo and Dia de los Muertos are large celebrations in Emporia, involving the entire community.

Patriotism and gratitude for all who've served our country also runs deep in the area. Emporia is the official founding city of Veterans Day. The community honors Veterans with a large celebration in November and numerous monuments, including a Tablets of Honors display at the All Veterans Memorial.

Much of the Flint Hills is remote, with gravel roads snaking out from Emporia to the north, west, and south into the countryside. Because some of the best views are only accessible by rough, minimum-maintenance roads, cycling and jeeping have become favorite hobbies of the locals and an immersive way to experience the beauty of the area.