Glacial Hills

Scenic Byway

Along tranquil hills and rolling roads, sometimes the journey is the destination. The Glacial Hills Scenic Byway is a route that passes through landscapes created by time, wind, rain, and ancient glaciers. Each season becomes a time capsule highlighting this landscape hewn by time. With the transition from picturesque green hills in spring to being framed by vibrant foliage in autumn, this route is one you’ll want to view over and over again.

The historical significance of the Glacial Hills region also includes two museums dedicated to Amelia Earhart. one of the most famous Pony Express routes, Fort Leavenworth, and the site where the Lewis and Clark Expedition celebrated the first Independence Day of their journey on July 4, 1804. As you search for more things to do in the various cities and towns on the byway, don't forget to eat at the fantastic local restaurants, look for places to stay overnight, enjoy parks and nature, and enjoy the plethora of museums and historical places.

  • Driving Directions

    Distance: 63 miles

    Traveling south to north: The route begins where K-7 and K-92 intersect near the gates of Fort Leavenworth in Leavenworth, KS. Travel north on K-7 to Atchison and Troy. Just outside of Troy, turn right onto 180th Spur, which eventually becomes 180th Road. Turn left onto Last Chance Road. Turn left onto 195th Road, which eventually becomes 195th Access Road. At K-7, turn right and continue north to White Cloud, KS, and the byway’s end at the Kansas/Nebraska border.

    Traveling north to south: The route begins at the Kansas/Nebraska border near White Cloud, KS. Continue south on K-7 to Troy. Just outside of Troy, turn left onto 195th Access Road, which eventually becomes 195th Road. Turn right onto Last Chance Road. Turn right onto 180th Road, which eventually becomes 180th Spur. At K-7, turn left and continue south to Atchison and the byway’s end where K-7 and K-92 intersect near the gates of Fort Leavenworth in Leavenworth, KS.

  • Plan Your Road Trip

    Carroll Mansion Museum

    This 1880's Victorian house features elaborate handcrafted woodwork throughout the house, beautiful stained glass windows and elegant…

    Ma-Hush-Kah Historical Society

    The Ma-Hush-Kah Historical Society in White Cloud, Kansas is named after Chief White Cloud of the Ioway Tribe. It owns & operates the…

    Four State Lookout

    4-State Lookout in White Cloud has been named one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas. A viewing platform offers a panorama of the broad Missouri…

    The Haunted 1889 McInteer Villa

    The McInteer Villa is one of Atchison’s most unique residences. Built in 1889-1890 for John McInteer, a pioneer businessman of Atchison, KS…

    C. W. Parker Carousel Museum

    Tour a museum of carousel artifacts and history. This particular carousel is unique in that the animals are hand carved and each is…

    Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum

    At the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, visitors have the opportunity to explore the home in which world-renowned aviatrix Amelia Earhart…

    Wilbur Chapman Monument

    Depicts the story of a boy who with $3 bought a pig, raised it, sold it for $25, gave the money to the Leper Mission to care for a child for…

    Nelson Rogers House

    This one-and-a-half story center-gable house is constructed of hand-hewn timbers. The corner posts are hand-hewn cottonwood, and the windows…

    Historic Downtown Leavenworth

    Enjoy the modern life of the First City of Kansas. A full service downtown with over 275 businesses including 22 restaurants offering…

    Peter Toth Indian Monument

    "Tall Oak" Indian monument sits in the courtyard of the Doniphan County Courthouse in Troy. This Kansas Monument was sculpted by Peter Toth…

  • Things to do along the way

    Photos

    Kansas Byways

    Gypsum Hills

    Ancient floodplains, buttes, canyons, mesas and sinkholes are rare on the Great Plains. Yet, nestled in the Kansas grasslands is the Gypsum…

    Kansas Route 66

    Kansas' Historic Route 66 Byway offers opportunities for visitors to enjoy a variety of experiences to "get their own kicks…

    Smoky Valley

    Named for their hazy, blue appearance at sunrise and sunset, the Smoky Hills divide the more easterly mixed-grass prairie from the…

    Flint Hills

    The Flint Hills National Scenic Byway offers incredible views of the native grasses and flowers of the tallgrass prairie - one of the last…

    Prairie Trail

    When you travel the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway, you follow in the steps of Native Americans, explorers and pioneers as they sought food…

    Native Stone

    Discover the natural beauty of the panoramic Native Stone Scenic Byway.

    Wetlands & Wildlife

    Along the byway, you'll encounter landscapes and communities shaped by the powerful forces of motion and change. You're entering a…

    Land & Sky

    Travelers along the Land and Sky Scenic Byway have the opportunity to experience the Wallace Branch of the Great Western Cattle Trail, scale…

    Western Vistas

    Visit a rugged landscape on the culturally and visually fascinating route known as the Western Vistas Historic Byway. 

    Post Rock

    Over the Smoky Hills of weathered bedrock, the Post Rock Scenic Byway winds through fields, pastures and prairie.

    Frontier Military

    Travel through time, visiting multiple forts along the Frontier Military Historic Byway.  Originally built to move soldiers and…

    For more information about the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway, contact:

    Gary Satter
    Glacial Hills RC&D
    (785) 608-8801
     
    Visit Atchison
    (800) 234-1854

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