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Physical Map of Kansas - Geographical Features of Kansas

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 03, 2026 | 15:40 ET

Physical Map of Kansas showing the geographical features of the state such as rivers, lakes, mountain peaks, elevations, plateaus, plains, topography, water bodies and many other Kansas physical features.

Kansas Physical Map

Physical Features of Kansas

Kansas is characterized by vast plains, gently rolling hills, and wide open landscapes that gradually rise in elevation from east to west. The state lies within the Great Plains region, with fertile farmland in the east transitioning into drier high plains in the west. River valleys, including those of the Kansas and Arkansas Rivers, cut through the terrain, creating important agricultural areas. Kansas is largely treeless in the west, while the east features more vegetation, giving the state a gradual shift in landscape and climate.

Major Landforms in Kansas

LandformTypeRegionDescription
Great PlainsPlainStatewideFlat expansive grassland region
High PlainsPlainWestElevated dry grasslands
Flint HillsHillsCentralRocky rolling prairie hills
Smoky HillsHillsNorth-centralGently rolling uplands
Osage PlainsPlainSoutheastLow grassy plains
Arkansas River ValleyValleySouthWide river valley
Kansas River ValleyValleyEastFertile river basin
Red HillsHillsSouth-centralRed soil rolling hills
Cherokee LowlandsLowlandSoutheastFlat mining region
Republican River BasinBasinNorthDrainage basin area

Major Rivers and Water Bodies in Kansas

NameTypeRegionNotable Feature
Kansas RiverRiverEastNamed after the state
Arkansas RiverRiverSouthMajor southern river
Missouri RiverRiverNortheastForms state border
Republican RiverRiverNorthFlows into Kansas River
Smoky Hill RiverRiverCentralTributary of Kansas River
Clinton LakeLakeEastFlood control reservoir
Milford LakeLakeNorthLargest lake in Kansas
Wilson LakeLakeCentralClear water reservoir
Tuttle Creek LakeLakeNorthLarge reservoir system
Perry LakeLakeNortheastRecreation reservoir

Elevation and Terrain in Kansas

Kansas gradually rises in elevation from east to west, with its highest point located in the western High Plains and its lowest point along the southeastern border. The terrain is mostly flat to gently rolling, with occasional hills and river valleys.

FeatureElevation / Detail
Highest PointMount Sunflower – 4,039 ft
Lowest PointVerdigris River – 679 ft
Average Elevation2,000 ft
Terrain TypePlains and rolling hills

Kansas Physical Map Facts

FeatureDetail
StateKansas
Total Area82,278 sq mi
Land Area81,759 sq mi
Water Area520 sq mi
Highest PointMount Sunflower
Lowest PointVerdigris River
Longest RiverArkansas River
Largest LakeMilford Lake
Major LandformsGreat Plains, Flint Hills
Main Water BodiesKansas River, Arkansas River
Terrain TypeFlat plains and hills
CoastlineNo coastline