If you’re looking for a Kansas City sunflower field, Grinter Farms is your go-to destination. But before you rush off to this sunflower paradise, read on for insider tips that will make your visit truly unforgettable!
On the northeastern edge of the Midwestern college town of Lawrence, in Leavenworth County, the Grinter Sunflower Farm is an iconic sunflower field destination in Kansas. For decades, the farm has dedicated acres to grow these cheery blooms alongside tall stalks of corn and fuzzy soybeans. Farmer Ted Grinter harvests the flower heads for bird seed, but the real joy comes from sharing these beautiful sunflower fields with the public.
Surprisingly, the Grinter Family doesn’t charge admission for their sunflower fields. Considering the land, time, seed, water, and gasoline it takes to cultivate approximately 40 acres of sunflowers, most family farms would charge $5 to $15 for the experience. But not here. Grinter Farms opens its fields for free, making it one of my favorite sunflower farms in the Midwest!
Here are 13 helpful tips to ensure you have an amazing time at the Grinter Farms sunflower fields (and you do your part to encourage Farmer Ted to continue to plant the sunflower fields each season).
Have You Visited Grinter Farms Sunflower Fields?
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1. The Best Time to Visit the Grinter Farms Sunflower Fields
If you live within a couple of hours radius of Kansas City, visiting these fields of sunflowers makes a great day trip. Farmer Ted plants the Grinter Farms sunflower fields in early July. This means the acres of beautiful blooms are at their peak for about two weeks at the end of August and beginning of September, often around Labor Day weekend.
Sage Advice: Many Midwesterners use the field of flowers at the Grinter family farm as a photo spot during the last days of summer. For the best photos, visit on a sunny day within the first few hours after sunrise or the last few hours before sunset.
Related Article: 100+ Sunflower Quotes for Instagram Captions
2. Avoid Crowds by Going Early on a Week Day
Rows and rows of blooming sunflowers are quite a draw, and thousands of people visit the famous sunflower fields each season. Avoid crowds by arriving early in the morning and visiting on a weekday. Not only will it be more peaceful in the fields, but you’ll also have an easier time parking your car.
If your only option is to visit during golden hour on Saturday evening, then just be prepared to walk deeper into the field for a less crowded spot to enjoy the flowers.
3. Grinter Farms Sunflower Field in Kansas is Open 24/7
Because the sunflowers are planted in open fields along Stillwell Road in Northeastern Lawrence, the Grinter Farms sunflower fields are open 24/7. However, Farmer Ted, The Farmer’s Wife, and all of their neighbors ask that you be respectful when you visit.
It’s perfectly fine to arrive before dawn and get lots of photos as the sun rises. It’s also okay to film drone footage as the sun slips behind the horizon. It’s not okay to race down Stillwell Road with your music blaring or have a raucous party in the sunflower field at any time of day or night.
4. The Grinters Own a Working Farm
While Farmer Ted is willing to plant sunflower fields for your enjoyment (which grants him automatic sainthood in my book), he and his family are still running a working farm for all 52 weeks of the year.
If you discover trucks, tractors, plows, or other farm equipment in the sunflower fields, resist the urge to climb on board and channel your inner farmer. And if you’re visiting Grinter Farms with your children, do not let them use the farm equipment as a jungle gym or rock climbing wall.
Related Article: Kansas Wildflowers by Season: Spring, Summer, and Fall
5. Enjoy the Go Before You Go
While you’ll want to stay hydrated if it’s a warm day in the sunflower fields, please know that there is no restroom at the large Grinter Farms sunflower field.
However, you can find a row of porta potties (including a sink) outside the Sunflower General near the smaller sunflower field down the road. If you’re seeking an indoor plumbing option, be prepared to venture into Lawrence, Tonganoxie, or Linwood in search of a gas station or other facility.
6. Bring Your Camera (And Plenty of Battery Power)
Many Midwesterners and even professional photographers use the field of flowers at Grinter Farms as a photo spot. Since most people always have their cell phones at the ready, you’ll likely have some sort of camera when you visit Grinter Farms. But be sure your batteries are fully charged, because you’re likely to snap lots of selfies and other pics when surrounded by six-foot-tall sunflowers.
If you plan on shooting the lovely sunflower fields with a dedicated camera, triple check that you have extra batteries, your desired lenses, and everything else you need to capture your memories.
7. Apply Sunscreen (And Bug Spray)
As with any outdoor activity, it’s wise to apply sunscreen before you head to the amazing sunflower fields. And because the Grinters do not use insecticides on their field of sunflowers, prepare yourself for bugs. You’re likely to find bees, butterflies, crickets, ladybugs, grasshoppers, beetles, mosquitos, and all sorts of other flying, hopping, and crawling creatures enjoying the sunflowers, as well.
8. Pack Proper Footwear Before Visiting This Famous Sunflower Field in Kansas
Breaking news: Sunflowers grow in fields. When it’s dry, the field will likely be dusty. And when it rains, the fields will likely be muddy. So be sure to wear rubber boots, old sneakers, or any other comfortable footwear that you don’t mind getting dirty.
9. Park Properly (Or Prepare to Pay)
In addition to planting acres and acres of sunny blooms for visitors to enjoy without a fee, Grinter Farms has also established free designated parking areas. Be sure to park where indicated when you visit the Grinter Farms sunflower fields. If you park along the road, you’ll likely be ticketed.
And if a sign says private drive, respect the folks who live near these beautiful fields by not turning around in, parking in, or blocking their driveways.
10. Pick Up After Yourself
And Your Dog.
And Your Kids.
While Farmer Ted is happy to plant gorgeous sunflowers for your late summer enjoyment, he and his family are less interested in picking up your discarded or lost items out of the field. Don’t leave ANYTHING in the field, including empty water bottles, sunglasses, or car keys.
Although well-behaved and leashed dogs are welcome to visit the sunflower fields, you are expected to pick up after your pup. This does not mean bag the poo and set the bag on the ground. It means bag the poo and cart it with you until you find another location (because there aren’t trash bins at the sunflower field) to properly dispose of the pile.
And I seriously shouldn’t have to tell folks to pick up and cart away any dirty diapers…
Related Article: Etiquette Rules to Follow When Traveling with Your Dog
11. Selecting Stems to Take Home
Many sunflower fields that charge admission fees allow guests to pick a sunflower or two. While the Grinters don’t mind if you pick fresh flowers, they do ask that you donate a dollar per sunflower stem. Just remember that the more flowers you pick, the fewer blooms there are for others to enjoy.
More on how to pay the Grinters $1 per sunflower stem and the opportunity to hang out in their gorgeous sunflower fields below!
Sage Advice: If you plan to pick a few sunflowers during your visit to this family-owned farm, pack a pair of clippers. They will make it so much easier to snip the perfect flower from the field of sunflowers and bring it home with you!
12. Leave a Donation
Although the Grinter sunflower fields are open to the public without any entrance fee, Farmer Ted and the Grinter family spend time, money, and energy growing the gorgeous blooms. As a reference point, other farms in the Midwest typically charge admission fees of $5 to $15 to enjoy their sunflower fields. So while you’re in no way obligated to spend a dime, please consider leaving a donation in the box when you enjoy the Grinter Farms sunflower fields.
And if you don’t carry cash (because who does anymore), you can Venmo Farmer Ted (@FarmerTed-Grinter) using the very same phone you’re taking a million photos with!
13. Stop by Sunflower General
You can also support Grinter Farms (and other local farmers) by visiting Sunflower General. This local goods and bake shop is just a short drive west of the sunflower fields. Wrap up your visit to the Grinter Farms sunflower fields by purchasing local honey, a pan of cinnamon rolls, sunflower decor, or a commemorative t-shirt designed by The Farmer’s Wife.
To Visit the Grinter Farms Sunflower Fields
The main sunflower field is at 24154 Stillwell Road in Lawrence, Kansas. The second field is located near Sunflower General Store at 14755 243rd St., just a short drive west of the main sunflower field.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunflower Fields in Kansas
Does Kansas have sunflower fields?
It’s not called the Sunflower State for nothing! While the Grinter sunflower farm is one of the most famous sunflower fields in Kansas, you can also find fields of cultivated sunflowers elsewhere in Northeastern, Central, Southern, and Western Kansas.
When do sunflowers bloom in Kansas?
Wild sunflowers bloom throughout the summer months in open areas and along roadsides throughout the state of Kansas. But big cultivated sunflower fields (like Grinter’s) typically bloom for about two weeks at the end of August or early September.
What is the best time to go to a sunflower field?
For the best photo opportunities, visit the sunflower field during the “golden hour.” This short period just after sunrise and just before sunset tends to deliver better lighting than when the sun is hot and high overhead.
Have You Visited the Grinter Farms Sunflower Fields?
What did you like most? Any additional tips and tricks to pass along? Share your experiences in the comments section below.
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Sunflowers are so pretty! I love to visit the one by us each July. But the Grinter Farms field looks like another great spot to visit!
And this field blooms in late August, so you’d be able to spend time at both in the summer. 🙂
Sunflowers are my absolute favorite! A trip to Grinter Farms sunflower fields would be such a wonderful day. Your photos are gorgeous as well. Thank you for sharing!
It’s such an amazing experience to walk through the tall sunny blooms at the end of summer!
Wow, those sunflowers are over the top! This farm definitely sounds like a great detour to take the next time I’m traveling through Kansas. 🌻
You’ll be glad you stopped!
What a beautiful sunflower field! I’ve never been to a sunflower field before and I had no idea there was such a small window for the blooms. You have so many great tips here!
Wading through a sea of six foot (or taller) blooms at sunrise or sunset is quite an amazing experience! I hope you’ll get a chance to give it a try some day!
When is it too late to view the Sunflowers in season. Would it be pointless toward the end of September or early October?
You’ve got about a week left, and then you’ll have missed the blooms this year. They typically bloom for about two weeks beginning at the end of August or around Labor Day. Late September and early October is too late.
That was one of my bucket list items. But when I went to one in Kansas, it was a bit too late and the flowers were already drooping. You went at the right time!!!
I was just a little too early! As always your pictures (especially the one of sunrise) are superb. And your daughter looks just like you!
Yes, you missed it by just a few weeks. LOVE sunflower season in the Sunflower State!
I LOVE the photo of the baby sunflower before it opens!
Great advice about the proper footwear. My daughter wore sandals to see her first sunflowers and was itching the whole time while walking through the fields!
Moms know best! I wear ugly gardening boots. Everyone is looking at the sunflowers. No one cares what’s on your feet. LOL!
I love flower fields, and sunflowers just scream joy and positivity! Therefore, I’d certainly enjoy a visit to these fields a lot – just as the ladies in your pictures do 😉 The first picture with the closed blossom is very unique, I like that 🙂
It’s hard to be surrounded by sunflowers and be anything other than absolutely and delightfully happy!
Ooh, I so want to go to Grinter Sunflower Fields! I would love to see the flowers en masse! Great tips for visiting, plus I’m so thrilled Grinter Farms are free to visit.
It’s quite the labor of love! How lucky we are that the Grinter family has been planting these two gorgeous fields for our enjoyment for about 50 years!!!
This farm looks so beautiful. There are also some nice tips in the post. For instance, it’s good to know that there are some designed parking areas at the farm.
Nothing can spoil the trip like these “little” things if not done properly, right! 🙂
It’s a very special place!
As a farmer’s wife, there are some great tips here. We once had some people just come and picnic thinking it was a farm thus public land lol.
Oh, wow, that would be unsettling! Do you guys grow sunflowers? Even just a small patch?
Your pictures are beautiful! 🌻 A sunflower field is one of the you pick farms I haven’t been too yet. It looks awesome so I gotta get going. Great tips too!
Thank you! It’s such a gorgeous sight!