Nestled in the scenic Flint Hills prairie in east-central Kansas, Morris County's beckoning back country looks much like it did a century ago. Back then Kaw Indians made this beautiful prairie their home, and wagon trains rolled through, west bound on the Santa Fe Trail. Remnants of the ruts remain and romantic relics of the trail years still stand sturdy today in Council Grove (population 2300), the county seat of Morris County.

A tour of Council Grove takes you to over a dozen registered historic sites, including the Hays House, the oldest continuously operated restaurant west of the Mississippi River. Two lakes practically lap the city limits. The 3000-acre federal reservoir and 500-acre city lake are perfect for camping, boating and fishing or picnicking on the prairie. If you do decide to circle your wagons in Morris County for a longer stay, the schools, shops, lake areas, industry and just fun celebrations might just convince you make Council Grove the end of your trail.

When you rendezvous in Council Grove, you're just 120 miles southwest of Kansas City or 55 miles southwest of Topeka. But don't come by trail, we're only 24 miles west of the I-335 Kansas Turnpike and 28 miles south of Interstate-70 (at the crossroads of US-56 and State-177). If you haven't visited Council Grove before, perhaps mapquest will be useful.