Riley County, Kansas Landscape near Manhattan by Kathy Alexander.
The Northeast region is in the northeast quarter of Kansas and includes 20 counties. It includes the area from the Missouri border on the east, north to the Nebraska border, northwest to Marshal County, and southeast to Lyon County. The western portion of this region features the Flint Hills, a landscape of native tallgrass prairie protected from tillage by a layer of rock just below the soil’s surface. This region is one of the last large areas of unbroken tallgrass prairie in the United States.
Located within the Glaciated physiographic region, the region is characterized by broad stream valleys, timbered hillsides, and irregular-shaped croplands. It is noted for excellent deer, quail, and turkey hunting opportunities. Several large urban areas are in this region, boasting five federal reservoirs and dozens of smaller state and community lakes.
Northeast Kansas encompasses the Glaciated physiographic region in the north and part of the Osage Cuestas along its southern edge. At sites in this area, visitors find massive quartzite boulders transported from northern states by glaciers, a water stop vital to travelers on the Oregon Trail, scenic drives, and excellent geologic illustrations of changes caused by the cycle of seas covering parts of the state and retreating over millions of years.
Northeast Kansas has no shortage of places to see and things to do. This area in Kansas is also home to some of the state’s larger cities, like Topeka, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Olathe, Overland Park, and Kansas City. The region is also home to some notable attractions, such as the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum in Atchison and the Black Jack Battlefield & Nature Park in Wellsville.
One of the best ways to experience Northeast Kansas is to drive two Kansas Byways, which feature dozens of small towns and a few big cities, rolling hills, vast prairie, and a mix of urban sophistication just waiting to be explored. The Glacial Hills Scenic Byway makes its way across the stunning glaciated hills in the far Northeast corner of Kansas. Additionally, the Frontier Military Historic Byway runs through the suburbs of Kansas City in places like Leavenworth, Olathe, and Overland Park.
More great sites to see in Northwest Kansas include:
Atchison State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area
Benedict Bottoms
Riverfront Park in Atchison, Kansas, courtesy of the City of Atchison.
Brown State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area
Milford State Park, Reservoir & Wildlife Area
Clinton Lake, Kansas by Kathy Alexander.
Clinton State Park, Reservoir, & Wildlife Area
Douglas State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area
Milford State Park, Reservoir & Wildlife Area
Geary State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area
Nebo State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area
Perry Lake, Kansas
Perry State Park, Reservoir, & Wildlife Area
Leavenworth State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area
Hillsdale State Park & Reservoir & Wildlife Area
Louisburg – Middle Creek State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area
Miami State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area
La Cygne Reservoir & Wildlife Area
Nemaha Wildlife Area
Tuttle Creek Lake, Kansas by Kathy Alexander.
Tuttle Creek Reservoir, State Park & Wildlife Area
Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 1 & Wildlife Area
Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake No. 2
Tuttle Creek Reservoir, State Park & Wildlife Area
Kaw River State Park
Shawnee State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area
Bolton Wildlife Area
Echo Cliff Park in Wabaunsee County, Kansas, courtesy of the Kansas Geological Survey.
Mount Mitchell Heritage Prairie
Washington State Fishing Lake & Wildlife Area
©Kathy Alexander/Legends of Kansas, September 2025.
Wyandotte County Lake Park, courtesy of Google Maps.
Also See:
Byways & Historic Trails – Great Drives in America
Places & Destinations in Kansas
Sources:
Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks
Kansas Geological Survey
Travel Kansas