Kansas is a state with wide open spaces, but does it really live up to the term "flat as a pancake?"
The state is known for its long pastoral stretches of farmland rather than mountains and high elevation points. That said, it is home to one of the highest points in the United States: Mount Sunflower.
This 4,039 foot-high peak sits in the Great Plains region of Kansas near the Colorado border. It's a great place to visit and hike in the state, although it isn't technically a mountain.
It is more like a hill, and there's a modest metal marker on top that reads, “Welcome to the Summit.”
Most people don't realize it, but Mount Sunflower actually doesn't even look much like a mountain. Instead, it is a little rise in a field.
The area is actually a refuge for several wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, badgers, and racoons. The tall grass prairie landscape provides habitat for hundreds of bird species.
There is no shortage of hiking trails to explore in this area. Many of them are relatively short, so you can easily enjoy the sights and scenery without getting tired or exhausted.
If you're looking for a more challenging hike, there are several higher elevation points within the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. You can even take in the spectacular view from Windmill Pasture Hill, a peak located within this national park.