experience Traveling along the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway offers historic glimpses of the movement of cattle and cowboys on the Chisholm Trail, traders heading to New Mexico along the Santa Fe Trail and European immigrants looking for a better life. This 80-mile route follows in the steps of early explorers, such as Zebulon Pike and William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody; pioneers and Native Americans; as well as Swedish immigrants who saw opportunity in the vast open prairie and fertile river valley. From the south the byway goes through Canton with its two water towers—one labeled “Cold” and the other “Hot.” After winding through the western edge of the Flint Hills, travelers can make a quick side trip by turning west on Pueblo Road to the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge—home to one of the few surviving herds of wild buffalo. Tram tours of the refuge can be made by reservation. SWEDISH HERITAGE Heading west from Roxbury on Smoky Valley Road, the byway offers panoramic views of the prairie and Twin Mounds hills to the south. As the byway turns north at Old US Highway 81, it heads toward Lindsborg, the “Swedish Capital of Kansas,” and home of the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, which houses the largest collection of Sandzén’s impressionist paintings. Lindsborg is also home to several other galleries, museums, and many shopping, dining and lodging options. Just north of town is Coronado Heights, a WPA-era lookout and picnic spot constructed of native Dakota sandstone, often referred to as a “castle” because of its architecture. From the top visitors can soak up a 360-degree view of the Smoky Hill River Valley.
hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking opportunities, the park also features more than 200 campsites and natural trails. Nearby, Mushroom Rock State Park gets its name from the unique geologic rock formations found there that resemble mushrooms. These rocks are actually hoodoos, formed through a process of erosion and weathering, in which the hard Dakota Sandstone capstone resisted erosion while the underlying softer stone did not. This five-acre park consists of two mushroom pedestals and numerous other rock formations. The byway extends westward to Ellsworth with its rich cowboy and cattle history. Ellsworth was once known as the “wickedest cattle town in the West,” and visitors can enjoy a leisurely walking tour of the original cowtown business district located along the Kansas Pacific Railroad. —Lou Ann Thomas
about the
byway GETTING THERE Exit 225 south from Interstate 70 on Kansas Highway 156 to Ellsworth. Turn east on Kansas Highway 140 for the intersection Kansas Highway 141, head south passing Mushroom Rock State Park and Kanopolis State Park and Reservoir. Continue to the intersection of Kansas Highway 4 and turn east toward the cities of Marquette and Lindsborg. Take a right turn onto 14th Avenue and a left turn to head east on Smoky Hill Road. Later take a right turn south onto 27th Avenue. U.S. Highway 56 marks the end of the byway. LENGTH 80 miles TIME TO TRAVEL 1.5 hours ROADWAY Kansas Highway 156, Kansas Highway 4 (country roads)
MILESTONES As the byway continues west on Kansas Highway 4, it passes through Marquette, another Swedish community, and home to the Kansas Motorcycle Museum. From Kansas Highway 4 the byway heads north on Kansas Highway 141, allowing travelers a stop at the picturesque Kanopolis State Park and Reservoir. In addition to a variety of watersports,
WHEN TO SEE All seasons SERVICES Ample services available along this byway RESOURCES Prairie Trail Scenic Byway prairietrailbyway.com
Kansas Byways
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ksbyways.org