Mount Sunflower Mountain
Kansas highpoint and low-relief plains elevation
Kansas's high point, Mount Sunflower is a gentle prairie rise near the Colorado border where visitors photograph the marker, watch grain fields and note the state's plains landscape.
Mount Sunflower at a Glance#
Address: Near the Kansas-Colorado border, Sherman County/Wallace County area, Kansas, USA (approx. 39.02195°N, 102.03712°W)
Admission: Free
About Mount Sunflower#
Mount Sunflower is the highest natural point in the U.S. state of Kansas, at an elevation of 4,039 feet. Despite the name, it is a subtle rise on the High Plains rather than a distinct peak.
The location is easily accessible by vehicle and is marked on site; it is a destination for people collecting U.S. state high points and for casual visitors interested in the geographic high point of Kansas.
The site has not undergone major historical changes beyond local land uses; it remains a marked high point within agricultural plains.
Geographically it sits in Sherman County in western Kansas very close to the Colorado border, on gently rolling plains rather than mountainous terrain.
- State high point: Highest natural point in the state of Kansas at an elevation of 4,039 feet, located very near the Colorado state line.
- On-site marker and access: Marked and accessible by road with interpretive signage and a small picnic area at the site.
How to Get to Mount Sunflower#
Located on private land near the Kansas-Colorado border, west of the town of Goodland/Elkhart area. The site is reached by a short drive on county roads from U.S. Route 24/Interstate 70 corridor; follow local signs to the Mount Sunflower parking area (marked by a sign and small gravel turnout).
Tips for Visiting Mount Sunflower#
- The high point is on private farmland but is publicly accessible-follow the marked path and respect fences, livestock and any signage.
- Visit at sunrise or sunset for dramatic prairie light and cooler temperatures; mid-summer midday can be brutally hot.
- Combine a visit with a stop in the nearby town of Kanorado or the small Wall County historical markers for context.
Best Time to Visit Mount Sunflower#
Mount Sunflower is best visited in spring and fall to avoid Kansas summer heat; it's a short, low-elevation visit rather than an alpine expedition.
Weather & Climate near Mount Sunflower#
Mount Sunflower's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -9°C to 33°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -9° - 6° | -7° | 8 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -7° - 9° | -4° | 10 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -3° - 13° | 1° | 27 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 1° - 18° | 7° | 32 mm | - | - | 5.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 7° - 23° | 15° | 80 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 13° - 29° | 21° | 70 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 16° - 33° | 24° | 66 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 15° - 31° | 23° | 51 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 10° - 27° | 18° | 37 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 3° - 21° | 12° | 23 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -4° - 11° | 0° | 16 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -8° - 7° | -5° | 9 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |