Kansas' Highest and Lowest Points Revealed

From the barely noticeable Mount Sunflower to the state's lowest spot along the Verdigris River, Kansas has a diverse range of elevations.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:07am

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Kansas is home to the 28th highest point in the United States, Mount Sunflower, which stands at 4,039 feet above sea level near the Colorado border. In contrast, the state's lowest point is where the Verdigris River enters from Oklahoma, just south of Coffeyville, at 679 feet above sea level. While Mount Sunflower is marked by a whimsical sculpture and visitor's register, the lowest point has no official marker.

Why it matters

Knowing a state's highest and lowest points provides insight into its geography and topography. Kansas, often perceived as flat, actually has a significant range in elevation, from the barely noticeable rise of Mount Sunflower to the gradual east-to-west incline across the state. This information can be valuable for travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those interested in the state's natural features.

The details

Mount Sunflower, located just east of the Colorado border in Wallace County, is the highest point in Kansas at 4,039 feet above sea level. The site features a sculpture made from railroad spikes, a picnic table, and a guest register for visitors. In contrast, the lowest point in Kansas is where the Verdigris River enters the state from Oklahoma, just south of Coffeyville in Montgomery County, at 679 feet above sea level. This location has no official marker.

  • Mount Sunflower has been the highest point in Kansas since at least 1940, when the Harold family purchased the property.
  • The U.S. Geological Survey identified the Verdigris River entry point as the lowest point in Kansas in the early 2000s.

The players

Ed and Cindy Harold

The owners of the private property where Mount Sunflower is located.

Ken Jennings

The host of the syndicated quiz show "Jeopardy" since 2021, who wrote a column in 2015 describing Mount Sunflower as "a barely noticeable rise in the middle of a field."

Charles Kuralt

The late journalist who proclaimed Mount Sunflower "my kind of mountain" while visiting in the 1980s to do a segment on it as part of his "On the Road" series of reports.

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What’s next

The Kansas Geological Survey plans to install an official marker at the state's lowest point along the Verdigris River in the coming year to raise awareness of this geographic feature.

The takeaway

Kansas is more topographically diverse than its reputation as a flat state suggests. From the barely noticeable high point of Mount Sunflower to the gradual east-to-west incline across the state, understanding the range of elevations in Kansas provides valuable insights into the state's geography and natural features.