The Gypsum Hills (also known as the Red Hills, Gyp Hills, or Medicine Hills) are situated in south central Kansas near the City of Medicine Lodge, just an hour and a half west of Wichita. This geographically diverse region does not fit the conventional description of what one might expect to find in Kansas.
Features
The area features rolling hills, flat mesas, buttes, small steep canyons, and caves. The region is nicknamed the Red Hills because of its many red cedar trees and the iron oxide, or rust, contained in the ground. The area was the Medicine Hills to the Native Americans, who believed that the Medicine River that runs through it was sacred because of the high concentration of Epsom salts in the water.
Peace Treaty Festival
The Gyp Hills is the backdrop for the annual Peace Treaty Festival, a commemoration of the history of the area. The last full weekend of each September, the weekend includes an inter-tribal powwow, rodeos, a parade, vendors and food, and special children’s activities. The Annual Kansas Championship Ranch Rodeo features working cowboys competing in events much like the day work on their ranches. The thrilling Buckapalooza rodeo is a rough-stock only event. The rodeos and powwow are held at Memorial Peace Park.. Every three years, an epic performance known as the Peace Treaty Pageant takes place in the Memorial Peace Park Amphitheater. This grand-scale historical pageant encompasses 300 years of history, illustrating time through the birth of the prairie; features famous explorers like Cortez, Lewis and Clarke, and Sacajawea; includes a full-scale wagon train; and centers around the signing of the Treaty of 1867, which was signed at a gathering of thousands of Native Americans and U.S. Military personnel near Medicine Lodge.
A Place of Peace
Visit the Gyp Hills to disconnect for a little while, wander a bit, and get lost. Take a step away from your busy day-to-day activities and reconnect with your family, your friends, and yourself. Create lasting memories as a family while camping, trail riding, and swimming. Bond with your friends over leisurely shopping, eating, and exploring off the beaten path. Indulge your creativity while visiting local art galleries, or trying out your new camera on the scenic landscapes. Find your favorite hunting or fishing spot, or do a little bird watching. Greet the morning sun while practicing yoga and meditation on a rust-colored hilltop. Get married against the backdrop of a breathtaking vista. For the history buffs, there are museums and historical landmarks. Outdoor sports enthusiasts will love hiking, biking, and climbing among some of the most panoramic scenery.