Scenic River Road

The Scenic River Road, County Road N. 2000 Road to N. 2050 Road, travels along the Kansas River Northwest of Lawrence, Kansas, heading west toward historic Lecompton, Kansas, the first state capital. The trail is hard-packed dirt and gravel suitable for any vehicle except in winter conditions with heavy snow accumulation, where 4WD may be needed. The east end of the trail starts on farmed river bottom land. To the north is the river, lined with a majority of large cottonwood trees. Look for white-tailed deer and turkeys feeding on corn stubble in the early morning or afternoon during the fall, winter, and spring in this area. Heading west, you climb slightly up the side of the river valley into forested hills overlooking the river flowing around sandbars. All along this route during the winter months, watch for bald eagles in the trees by the river. Twenty or more eagles have been spotted at a time, along with red-tailed hawks, geese, and ducks. The western end of the trail takes you further into the hills and away from the river before returning to pavement.