Seeing row after row of blooming sunflowers – it’s one of the perks of living in Kansas. Lots of readers have asked me where they could find sunflower fields in bloom near Wichita or around the state. In the past, that wasn’t an easy question to answer, since only a few were actually planted specifically to be enjoyed by the public.
But in the past few years we’ve seen a surge of Kansas sunflower festivals and sunflower fields near Wichita, KS that are open to the public with very small fees or donation boxes so you can support the farmers who are allowing us to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
And of course you can still find sunflower fields just by driving to other scenic Kansas spots. We’ve spotted them on the way to Winfield and on the way to Coronado Heights. And this year we’ve heard about fields near Cheney and Nickerson, KS.
It’s fun when you come upon a big field where sunflowers are growing, but we always need to be aware that they are on private property, so stay on the perimeter and don’t damage the field in any way. (That includes not picking the sunflowers or walking in the field.)
Even city folks like me understand that sunflowers are a crop for farmers, but I learned more than I knew before about what they’re grown for here in Kansas when I read this neat article in Hutch News: 2020 Kansas sunflower crop expected to increase by 78%
Have you ever wondered what happens to sunflowers after all the gorgeous photo opps are done? I love this video by the Peterson Farm Brothers that shows sunflower harvesting!
Sunflowers blooming this weekend:
This may be the last week of the year to see blooming sunflowers in Kansas. The season started in July and is wrapping up now in mid-September.
- Cedar Creek Farm has a third sunflower field that’s started blooming and should be in full bloom by this weekend (Sept. 18-20) $5 per person or $20 per carload. They have a petting zoo that is also available. We visited Sunday afternoon and they’re setting up for pumpkin patch season!
- The Heights Sunflower Field near Coronado Heights was still nicely blooming last weekend (Sept. 11-13), but it’s past its peak prettiness now. Last day for these fields is September 18, 2020, and they said admission is free because the sunflowers are pretty much done blooming. (Now they’ll go on to be harvested for oil and birdseed!)
- Sunflower Festival at Kansas Maze (Gaeddert Farms sunflower field and 5k) $7 per person for ages 4 and up; includes one sunflower, jumping pillow and playland activities.
- Grinter Farms near Topeka is the one famous in Kansas for sunflowers. They were blooming as of September 1, 2020.
- Walters sunflower field is done blooming.
- Klausmeyer Farm is done blooming.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know to visit these farms.
When Do Sunflowers Bloom in Kansas?
We usually see Kansas sunflowers blooming in late summer/early fall. Usually every year a few fields are planted early so that the blooms are ready in July.
Of course, nature doesn’t care about our schedule. 🙂 The bloom time of sunflower fields is dependent on weather and many other conditions, so keep that in mind before you head out on your journey to find the perfect crop of Kansas sunflowers.
Sunflower Fields Near Wichita KS
Whether you’re looking for a beautiful photograph location or you simply want to witness the spectacular view of a Kansas sunflower field in full bloom, this list will help.
Again, remember that unless a field is specifically open to the public, you’re trespassing on private property if you actually go out into the field. Please respect our hardworking farmers.
Peterson Brothers/The Heights Sunflower Trails near Lindsborg
The famous Peterson Brothers (“I’m Farming and I Grow It”) offer Sunflower Trails about 2 miles north of Lindsborg, Kansas, in the early fall. This year, the sunflowers are open to the public from sunrise to sunset every day that the flowers are blooming.
You’ll be able to walk through trails in the field and take as many pictures as you want to. This is a fun spot for pictures because Coronado Heights is visible in the background!
The Peterson Brothers planted their sunflower fields around July 9, as they share here on this Facebook video update!
Where: At The Heights Wedding Venue, 2951 13th Ave. Lindsborg, KS 67456
When: We saw on the Peterson Brothers Facebook page that they started planting on July 9! The Peterson Brothers told us that they are expecting the sunflowers to be ready in late August and early September.
Cost: In the past, admission was $5 per person/$10 per family; $5 per sunflower picked
Go to the Peterson Farm Brothers website for all the details and for contact information.
Related: Kansas Road Trip: Lindsborg, KS
Grinter Farms Sunflower Fields
Where: Grinter Farms, 24154 Stillwell Rd., Lawrence, KS 66044
Grinter Farms in Lawrence, KS is the well-known Kansas sunflower field you may have already heard about. They’ve been open to the public for years! If you want to go, be sure to keep up with the latest on the Grinter Farms Facebook page.
Very important post, called the “rules of engagement” where the owner gives a lot of info (including pointing out that there are no public restrooms). The sunflower field isn’t a tourist attraction; it’s a field planted with a crop on a farm. There are things you need to know.
When: Now is the time. Fields were planted in July. We’ll watch for updates on expected bloom time.
Cost: Usually free admission; $1 per sunflower stem you take with you (on the honor system).
Klausmeyer Farm Sunflower Fields
Sunflower at Klausmeyer Farm in July 2020
The Klausmeyer Farm sunflower fields are often the first fields to bloom every year – usually in late July. Farmer Dave has planted two separate sunflower patches this year, with each patch being around 40 acres! In 2020, they started blooming around July 26!
*Note: The first of the Klausmeyer sunflower fields is past its prime now. They anticipate the next field to bloom around August 15, 2020.
Where: Klausmeyer Farm, 8135 S 119th St W., Clearwater, Kansas 67026 (It’s just 26 minutes from the center of Wichita.)
Cost: Admission to Klausmeyer sunflower fields now going to be $2 per person; it will no longer be by donation. Apparently they had some vandals last year who ruined it for everyone. Admission to Fun on the Farm activities is $3.
Parking: This year there will be a designated parking lot in the field across from the farmstead. Please do not park along the road. When you arrive, check in at the admission booth. If you’d rather not walk to the field, you can hitch a ride on a trailer.
Photographers: No additional fee for you! Just pay the $2 admission fee like everyone. And they say they would love for you to tag them if you share on social media so they can see your photos.
When: The first sunflower field planted this year at Klausmeyer Dairy Farm and Pumpkin Patch in Clearwater is expected to bloom the last week of July and the first week of August.
Hours: They’ll be open every day from 6 a.m. to dark until the season is over, weather permitting.
They stagger the planting of three fields, so when one is done blooming, the next one is (hopefully) ready to enjoy. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for updates!
Once the Clearwater sunflower fields are done blooming, we’ll have other sunflower fields near Wichita to visit! Keep reading to find more sunflower fields in Kansas.
Cedar Creek Farm Sunflowers
Where: 6100 N 119th St W, Maize, Kansas 67101 (Located right off of K-96)
Cedar Creek has three sunflower fields planted. They anticipate the flowers will be in bloom during different weeks from August 15 until the first part of September.
Cost: Admission to the Cedar Creek sunflower fields is $5 per person or $20 per carload.
Parking: Cedar Creek Farm has a parking lot for visitors, and it should be fairly obvious where you need to park when you arrive.
Photographers: You can get a photographers pass for only $20 for the season. The pass gives one photographer unlimited entry to the farm for sunflower and pumpkin season. (Great deal!) The pass only covers the photographers’ personal entry.
When: As many Kansans know, a lot of what happens when, agriculturally speaking, depends on rain and other weather! According to the Cedar Creek Farm updates, it looks good for the sunflower field to be in full bloom Saturday, August 15, 2020.
Be sure to watch Cedar Creek’s Facebook page for updates, because the hours and dates of this outdoor event are subject to weather and blooming conditions.
Diana Burress, Augusta Sunflower Field
We think this is the field that we saw on one of our Kansas scenic drives!
Where: 9251 SW 115th Augusta, KS
Cost: This field is free to go visit. Sunflowers are free to pick, they just ask that you bring your own stem cutters and pick in an area where people are not taking pictures (full areas of sunflowers look better in pictures.)
Parking: There is a designated parking area for the field that can be found by the signs directing you to that point. Parking on the shoulder of the road is heavily discouraged because it is quite a busy road.
When: The field should bloom in late August to early September, but you can follow Diana Burress on Facebook for updates on the field! (UPDATE: The field is blooming now – as of August 14, 2020.)
Sunflower Festival at Kansas Maze
The Kansas Maze at Gaeddert Farms celebrated its 20th season as a fall family attraction by opening a Sunflower Festival. The farm also hosts a Sunflower Trail 5k and 1-mile run.
Where: The Sunflower Festival is held at Gaeddert Farms. Their farm is located at 13209 E. 82nd Ave, Buhler, Ks 67522.
Cost: Admission to the festival is $7 per person. Each ticket includes one ‘stem’ or live cut sunflower. More sunflowers can be purchased singly, in half-dozen bunches, or in one-dozen bunches.
Parking: Gaeddert Farms has dedicated parking areas you should see as you arrive. Parking is free.
When: The Sunflower Festival for 2020 will be held August 22 to September 12, 2020. They’ll have 20 acres of gorgeous sunflowers for you to take pictures in.
The Sunflower Trail Run 5K and 1 Mile is scheduled for August 29, 2020. Registration is open now for that run.
Of course, the dates and hours will depend on this crazy Kansas weather, so be sure to check their page for the latest details.
Keep an eye on the website or the Kansas Maze Facebook page for updates.
Sunflower Festival at Walters
Where: 10001 NW U.S. Highway 77 , Burns, KS 66840
Walters is known for its family-friendly pumpkin patch, but last year it added a sunflower festival to the long list of fun things to do.
During the sunflower festival, Walters opens the fields to the public with an admission fee. You can ride the hay wagon out to the field, take pictures, and even cut some sunflowers at $1 per stem.
When: August 22, 23, 30, & 31, 2020. Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Admission to Walters Sunflower Festival is $10 year. If you’re near El Dorado, this might be a good one to visit for convenience sake. Be sure to check out their website for more information and updates on Walters Sunflower Festival.
More to come…
We found a sunflower field on the way to Cowley State Fishing Lake waterfall one year, but we have no idea if it is planted every year. We’ve also heard of fields around Augusta and Hutchinson. The best way to find them is to take a drive and enjoy the beautiful Kansas fall scenery.
Let us know if you spot a Kansas sunflower field in your travels! We’ll share it here so others can enjoy the sight too. And please feel free to share your pictures with us, either here or at the Wichita on the Cheap Facebook page.
Sunflowers near Coronado Heights
When my family and I went to Coronado Heights one year we accidentally came across this field of sunflowers, and it was so thrilling! Here’s a photo I took that day:
This was a sunflower field we happened across on a family drive to Coronado Heights one year.
We think this field was probably the one owned by the Peterson Farm Bros. but we aren’t sure. It could be someone else’s sunflower field!
Related:
Fall Farm Fun: Wichita-area Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
Summer Lavender Fields in Kansas
Sunflower Festivals
I love that more and more of our Kansas sunflower farms are offering agritourism experiences! (Kansas even has lavender festivals nowadays.)
After tracking the sunflower fields for a few years, here’s where and when we think you might expect to see some Kansas sunflower fields in bloom each year. We hope that all of the visitors out taking their sunflower pictures thank these farmers and donate generously so they continue to do this for years to come!
- Late July and early August – Klausmeyer Sunflower Field
- August – Cedar Creek Farms Sunflower Fields
- Late August/early September – Sunflower Festival at Kansas Maze
- Late August/early September – Sunflowers near Coronado Heights at the Peterson Brothers Farm
- September – Sunflowers in Buhler and Lawrence
Where was the Coronado heights sunflower patch that you saw?
I’m not sure, but I think it may have been the one at the Peterson Brothers Farm. It was at least five years ago, and back then I didn’t know of any sunflower fields that were open to the public. It was just a nice surprise to us!
Did not there are so many sunflower events, will try to get to Buhler this September, thanks for sharing!