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 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. Those are fun, 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.)
When Do Sunflowers Bloom in Kansas?
To the best of my knowledge – which isn’t extensive – Kansas sunflowers are usually in bloom in August or September. But we have heard of a few fields planted early so that the blooms are ready in late July, so keep an eye on this page; we’ll update it when we get any new information.
Based on what we saw last year, here’s when you might expect to see some Kansas sunflower fields in bloom, and where:
- July and August – Klausmeyer Sunflower Field
- Mid-August – Walters Sunflower Festival
- Late August – Sunflowers near Lindsborg and Coronado Heights
- September – Sunflowers in Buhler and Lawrence
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.
Sunflowers at Klausmeyer Farm
Where: Klausmeyer Farm, 8135 S 119th St W., Clearwater, Kansas 67026 (It’s just 26 minutes from the center of Wichita.)
When: Three sunflower fields were planted last year near Klausmeyer Dairy Farm and Pumpkin Patch in Clearwater. They stagger the planting of three fields, so when one is done blooming, the next one is (hopefully) ready to enjoy. This year, the first Klausmeyer Farm sunflower field was blooming on August 1. They expect the next one to be ready around mid-August. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for updates!
Cost: Klausmeyer Farm has a donation box so you can pay for any flowers you pick ($1 each) or make a “thank-you” contribution for the opportunity to take photos. Donations go towards the costs of the field, which allows us to keep planting them for the following year. Suggested price for sunflowers is $1 a stem.
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.
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.
This was several years ago, but you might come across it too if you take *a drive to Coronado Heights. I don’t know the owners and I don’t know that it’s open to the public, so stay on the outside edges of the field if you find it. It may even be the same field listed immediately below, but I haven’t confirmed that yet…
*As of July 17, 2019, Coronado Heights is currently closed (we’ve read that it is re-opened!) further notice due to unsettled ground and damage to roads after the heavy spring and summer rains. For current updates, check the Smoky Valley Historical Association Facebook page.
Sunflower Trails near Lindsborg
Where: 2951 13th Ave. Lindsborg, KS 67456
When: Expected to be blooming over Labor Day weekend, so August/September
Cost: Admission is $5 per person/$10 per family; $5 per sunflower picked
More info: The famous Peterson Brothers offer Sunflower Trails about 2 miles north of Lindsborg, Kansas, in the early fall. The trails are usually open to the public on weekends in August/September. You’ll be able to walk through trails in the field and take as many pictures as you want to for $5 per person/$10 per family. You can also take home a sunflower head as a souvenir if you like for an additional $5 per head.
Now, obviously, the schedule depends on the sunflowers themselves. When they are blooming, the Sunflower Trails will be open every morning and evening for two weeks straight. For 2019, they are anticipating being open August 25-September 5.
Go to the Peterson Farm Brothers website for all the details and for contact information.
Sunflowers in Lawrence, KS
Where: Grinter Farms, 24154 Stillwell Rd., Lawrence, KS 66044
When: For 2019, they are hoping for a late August/Labor Day bloom time.
Cost: Free admission; $1 per sunflower stem you take with you (on the honor system).
Grinter Farms in Lawrence, KS is the big one you may have already heard about. According to their Facebook page updates, they’ve had some weather issues and might not see a huge crop like in previous years. However, a late planting may result in some sunflowers blooming as late as October. If you want to go, be sure to keep up with the latest on the Grinter Farms Facebook page.
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.
Sunflower Festivals
I love that more and more of our Kansas sunflower farms are offering agritourism experiences! (Kansas even has lavender festivals nowadays.) These are the sunflower festivals in Kansas that we know of so far.
Sunflower Festival at Walters
Walters is known for its family-friendly pumpkin patch, but this year it’s adding a sunflower festival to the long list of fun things to do.
The plan right now is to open the fields to the public August 17 and 18, 2019. You can ride the hay wagon out to the field, take pictures, and even cut some sunflowers at $1 per stem.
Admission to Walters Sunflower Festival is $8 per person, but if you’re near El Dorado it might be worth it for convenience sake. Be sure to check out the Facebook event for more information and updates on Walters Sunflower Festival.
Sunflower Festival at Kansas Maze
The Kansas Maze at Gaeddert Farms celebrated its 20th season as a corn maze and fall family attraction last year by opening a Sunflower Festival!
The Sunflower Festival for 2019 will be held August 24 to September 14, 2019. They’ll have 20 acres of gorgeous sunflowers for you to take pictures in.
Their farm is located at 13209 E. 82nd Ave, Buhler, Ks 67522.
Admission to the festival is $7 per person, and sunflowers can be purchased singly or in half-dozen or one-dozen bunches.
Plus, on August 31, you can participate in either a 5k or 1-mile Sunflower Trail Run. Register at the KansasMaze website.
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 weather and on the website or the Kansas Maze Facebook page, because the hours and dates of this outdoor event are subject to weather and blooming conditions.
Related:
Fall Farm Fun: Wichita-area Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
Summer Lavender Fields in Kansas
Did not there are so many sunflower events, will try to get to Buhler this September, thanks for sharing!