Chautauqua Hills courtesy of ABT Films.
Nestled in the southeastern corner of Kansas, the Chautauqua Hills region, which averages just ten miles in width, is a narrow strip of sandstone-capped rolling hills that separates the Osage Cuestas region from the southern Kansas border to Yates Center in Woodson County. Rolling uplands mark the region, and the Verdigris, Fall, and Elk Rivers flow at the bottoms of the slopes.
Sandstone Outcrop in the Chautauqua Hills, courtesy of the Kansas Geological Survey.
During the Pennsylvanian Subperiod, about 299 million to 323 million years ago, rivers and streams flowed into the sea in this area. Sand and other sediment are collected at the mouths of the rivers, forming deltas. When the seas dried up, the sediments were buried and formed rocks. The sands became sandstone, and the muds became shale. Uplift and erosion eventually exposed sandstone and shale outcrops at the Earth’s surface.
Ridges and troughs called ripple marks can be seen in some of the sandstone layers. These fossil ripple marks, created millions of years ago, provide information about the natural environment and direction of the current at the time they formed.
Because rock outcrops are prevalent, the hills are generally not cultivated for crops but used instead for pasture in the less wooded areas. Topographic relief in the region varies up to about 250 feet.
The Chautauqua Hills region coincides with the Cross Timbers ecosystem, which stretches from Texas into the Chautauqua Hills region of Kansas, features a combination of dense hardwood growth, woodland grasses, and glades.
Cross Timbers State Park, surrounding Toronto Lake, provides an up-close look at the thick sandstone layers that help shape the Chautauqua Hills region. Trees and shrubs found in the park include post oak, blackjack oak, northern red oak, black hickory, bitternut hickory, sumac, rusty blackhaw, serviceberry, dogwood, and green ash. Tree-ring dating of core samples collected from 26 mature post oak trees in the park in 1982 revealed that five of the sampled trees had inner rings dating back to 1724. Grasses include little bluestem, big bluestem, and Indian grass.
Toronto Lake in Woodson County, Kansas.
The state park, located in the gently rolling Verdigris River valley, offers miles of trails for walking, hiking, and backpacking. All but Ancient Oaks Trail—an interpretive trail featuring trees dated as far back as the 1720s—are also open to runners and mountain bikers. Toronto Lake is a reservoir located on the Verdigris River, offering boating, camping, and other recreational opportunities.
Although the name “Chautauqua Hills” is used only in Kansas, the Cross Timbers region stretches through Oklahoma and down into north-central Texas.
Two more state parks are also in the region, including the popular Elk City State Park and the expansive Fall River State Park. These parks offer a range of outdoor activities, including camping, fishing, and boating. The trails, such as the Elk River Trail, offer stunning views and provide a chance to immerse yourself in the area’s natural beauty.
Fall River State Park, Kansas.
The Chautauqua Hills are located in the western portions of Montgomery, Wilson, and Woodson Counties, as well as on the eastern edges of Chautauqua, Elk, and Greenwood Counties. The sandstones continue into northern Oklahoma.
Chautauqua Hills sandstone in Sedan, Kansas, courtesy of the Kansas Geological Survey.
Although Kansas is best known for its treeless plains, the scrub oak forests in the prairie-forest region of the eastern counties are a hidden gem waiting to be explored. This scenic area is characterized by its rolling hills, unique rock formations, and lush woodlands, offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. The region is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a perfect backdrop for hiking, birdwatching, and photography. The Chautauqua Hills are famed for their diverse flora and fauna. In the spring and summer, the hills come alive with wildflowers, while autumn paints the landscape in vibrant hues of red and gold.
The region’s abundant waterways make for good fishing, while wildlife is abundant, with deer, turkeys, and a variety of bird species making their home here. However, watch out for less popular residents such as scorpions.
For those interested in geology, the unique sandstone formations and fossils found in the area provide a fascinating glimpse into the Earth’s history. The area is also rich in cultural heritage. Visitors can explore historic sites, small towns with charming local shops, and learn about the Native American tribes who once inhabited the region.
Although the Chautauqua Hills are very similar in appearance to the Flint Hills, there are differences between the two regions. The Chautauqua Hills have sandy instead of clayey soil, and Cross Timbers instead of tallgrass prairie. Topography is another difference. The Flint Hills have more relief and are higher in elevation than the Chautauqua Hills.
This is one of the last remaining areas of prairie that was the world’s greatest grasslands, stretching from Chicago, Illinois, to Texas. This is the area that once supported millions of buffalo. It’s a harsh, gritty, prickly, and windy region with cattle ranches, oil fields, small towns, limestone bluffs, and remnants of the Old West.
©Kathy Alexander/Legends of Kansas, updated April 2025.
Ozro Falls in Chautauqua County, Kansas, courtesy of the Kansas Geological Survey.
Also See:
Geographical Regions of Kansas
Sources:
ABT Films
Evendo
Homestead on the Range
Kansas Geological Survey – Chautauqua Hills
Kansas Geological Survey – Cross Timbers-Toronto Lake
Wikipedia