Defining Landscapes of Western Kansas

Western Kansas is one of the most misunderstood regions in the entire Great Plains region. While many travelers speed across I-70 without a second glance, the western third of the state holds some of Kansas’ most dramatic geology with rare ecosystems and wide-open scenery. Towering chalk formations rise from the prairie at Monument Rocks, Little Jerusalem Badlands State park and Castle Rock badlands, remnants of an ancient inland sea that once covered the region. Nearby, Lake Scott State Park blends rugged canyon walls with unexpected water and lush vegetation.

The far reaches of Western Kansas reveal even more diversity. The Arikaree Breaks carve deep, winding canyons into the high plains of the northwest, while Cimarron National Grassland in the southwest offers rolling sand sage, prairie wildlife, and expansive views at Point of Rocks. From badlands and basins to scenic byways and dark skies, Western Kansas rewards those willing to slow down and explore beyond the highway.