Flint Hills (Wichita, Emporia, Council Grove: where to stay, house, living in)

[bande1102]

Can anyone tell me exactly where the Flint Hills are in Kansas? The kids and I ran across some beautiful pictures and were just wondering......

[bijoubug]

Hi bande1102, I just found this forum and am surprised no one has answered your query as yet. The truly unique and awesome Flint Hills are located in Chase County (and others) toward the south central part of the state. The county seat is Cottonwood Falls, KS. You can see this tallgrass prairie if you drive from Wichita north to Emporia on the the Kansas Turnpike, but if you get off the turnpike at Cassoday and drive to Matfield Green and Cottonwood Falls, you can get a more intimate experience.

It is a wondrous sight! Some folks find it boring because of the lack of trees, however, that is why I am drawn to the Flint Hills. The vast openess of the rolling hills, with the huge umbrella of blue sky always makes me feel so small yet comforted. The pallette is ever changing depending on what time of year you visit, from brilliant greens to soft gold and purple. If you see the sunset over the Flint Hills you will witness God's grace.

I hope you and your family get to visit the Flint Hills one day and will love them as much as I do.

[elfyum]

Thank you for that post!!! Ever since I saw The Flint Hills in pictures in the visitor's guidebook I requested from the KS website, I've been DYING to visit!!! I keep looking & searching out where to stay, how to get there, etc.
Your post describes how I feel about them though I've yet to get there. I am even reading the wonderful book by William Least Heat-Moon, Prairy Erth all about Chase County! Have you read it?
Any suggestions on where to stay in the heart of The Flint Hills?
I can't wait to see them up close and personal!

[bande1102]

Thank you, Bijoubug. That was a beautiful post. I have a ton of relo stuff from Kansas and there's so little mention of the Flint Hills. Surprising, b/c to me, they're one of the most beautiful things about the state.

[bijoubug]

Bande and Elfyum, thank you for your lovely comments on my post. Elfyum, when you feel as you do about the Flint Hills without having seen them, you will feel like you're home when you get here! I would love to read William Least Heat-Moon's book. It is quoted on the Nature Conservancy's website in the section about the Tallgrass Prairie Perserve (the Flint Hills). There is also another website that has lots of information "naturalkansas.org". If you click on "Flint Hills Destinations" and scroll down to "Kansas Travel & Tourism" you will find abundant information on how to get there, where to stay and what to see and do.

I grew up living in several cities along the Kansas turnkpike and have fond memories of driving through the hills with my family, so I've had a love affair with this aesthetic and ecological wonder most of my life. I am awestruck by the mountains and the ocean, but the Flint Hills are my cradle.

Bande you are right the hills are the most spectacular, yet gentle, (no hard edges) views the state has to offer. Good luck with your relocation search. I'm anxious for you and Elfyum to come visit these hills and tell us what you think. Also...the stars during a dark Flint Hills night are not to be believed!

[kanza05]

Hi elfyum, if you take a trip to the Flint Hills you absolutely have to stay at the "Clover Cliff Ranch" it is a B&B outside of Elmdale, KS on highway 50. It is a short drive from Cottonwood Falls, KS; a must-see. It is a picturesque little town along the Flint Hills Scenic Byway.

Also, near Strong City is the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.

In my opinion, the best views of the hills is along the byway inbetween Matfield Green and Cottonwood Falls.

I hope this might give you some ideas and I hope someday you will be able to go there because that area is not just a place to see, it is a place to experience.

[elfyum]

I am considering a visit in early to mid April, but am concerned about the weather. Can anyone in the area, or familiar with the area please tell me what the day & night temps are likely to be? It's been 70's/60's here in Miami & I'm not liking it at all...If it's colder than that, I think I might wait til the summer & go to AZ in April instead - they're already getting up near 100 I hear!
Thanks for your help!

[janetjanetbobanet]

Originally Posted by elfyum

I am considering a visit in early to mid April, but am concerned about the weather. Can anyone in the area, or familiar with the area please tell me what the day & night temps are likely to be? It's been 70's/60's here in Miami & I'm not liking it at all...If it's colder than that, I think I might wait til the summer & go to AZ in April instead - they're already getting up near 100 I hear!
Thanks for your help!

It will be 70's/60's in April, most likely. You'll probably need May or June to get a lot warmer than that.

[Ellie C.]

Bande1102, here is a link to a National Geographic article on the Flint Hills:

http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/n...re5/index.html

The Gypsum Hills are beautiful also. You would swear you were in Southern Utah.

I think the Flint Hills are incredibly beautiful, especially when the sun rises and sets. It's easy to imagine what it was like during Laura Ingalls Wilder's time because it hasn't changed much.

Someone rebuilt a cabin on the spot of the "little house on the prairie", btw. It's in southeast Kansas.

[CSprings]

Originally Posted by bande1102

Can anyone tell me exactly where the Flint Hills are in Kansas? The kids and I ran across some beautiful pictures and were just wondering......

...grew up in the heart of the Flint Hills. The most beautiful area is from Council Grove south to Strong City, Cottonwood Falls, Bazaar, and Matfield. Beautiful drive!