Where is Great Bend, Kansas, USA?

Written and fact-checked by | Reviewed by WhereIG Editorial Team | Last updated: August 14, 2026, 18:45 ET

Where is Great Bend Located? - Great Bend is a city located in the Barton County of Kansas, United States. Great Bend lies between 44.5537 Degrees North latitudes and 70.5509 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Great Bend, Kansas

Where is Great Bend, Kansas

Great Bend Map, Kansas, USA

Where is Great Bend?: The Google Map showing the location of Great Bend in the U.S. state of Kansas.

Where is Great Bend Located?

Great Bend is a city located in the Barton County of Kansas, United States. Great Bend lies between 44.5537 Degrees North latitudes and 70.5509 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Great Bend city is 14733 people and the city has a total area of 10.5 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Great Bend, Kansas Quick Facts

PropertyInformation
CityGreat Bend
CountyBarton County
StateKansas
State CapitalTopeka
US RegionMidwestern United States
Latitude38.3645°N
Longitude98.7648°W
Elevation1,850 ft (564 m)
Land Area10.51 sq mi
Water Area0.08 sq mi
Total Area10.59 sq mi
Population (latest Census year)14,733 (Census 2020)
Population Density (per sq mi)Approximately 1,401
ZIP Code67530
Area Code620
Time Zone StandardCentral Standard Time (CST, UTC−6)
Time Zone DaylightCentral Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code20-28300
Congressional DistrictKansas' 1st Congressional District

Nearby Cities to Great Bend, Kansas

  • Hoisington, Kansas — 10 mi North
  • Ellinwood, Kansas — 12 mi East
  • Larned, Kansas — 30 mi West
  • Hays, Kansas — 90 mi Northwest
  • Salina, Kansas — 95 mi Northeast
  • Hutchinson, Kansas — 75 mi East
  • Dodge City, Kansas — 125 mi Southwest
  • Wichita, Kansas — 125 mi Southeast
  • Garden City, Kansas — 175 mi Southwest
  • Topeka, Kansas — 180 mi Northeast

Driving Distances from Great Bend, Kansas

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
HoisingtonKansas1015 minutes
EllinwoodKansas1220 minutes
LarnedKansas3035 minutes
HutchinsonKansas751 hour 15 minutes
HaysKansas901 hour 30 minutes
SalinaKansas951 hour 35 minutes
Dodge CityKansas1252 hours
WichitaKansas1252 hours
Garden CityKansas1753 hours
TopekaKansas1803 hours

Transportation and Connectivity in Great Bend, Kansas

TransportationDetails
Airport NameGreat Bend Municipal Airport
IATA CodeGBD
PortNot Applicable
Major HighwaysU.S. Route 56, U.S. Route 281, Kansas Highway 96
Train/Amtrak ServiceNearest Amtrak service available in Hutchinson
Local Bus/Transit ServiceRegional transportation services available
  • U.S. Route 56 - Major east-west highway connecting central Kansas communities.
  • U.S. Route 281 - Important north-south route connecting Great Bend with northern and southern Kansas.
  • Kansas Highway 96 - Regional highway serving central Kansas.

What are top Places to Visit in Great Bend, Kansas

Landmark NameType
Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife AreaWildlife Refuge
Barton County Historical Society MuseumMuseum
Brit Spaugh ZooZoo
Veterans Memorial ParkPark
Great Bend Brit Spaugh ParkRecreation Area
Quivira National Wildlife RefugeWildlife Refuge
Wetlands WaterparkWater Park
Santa Fe Trail Center MuseumHistory Museum
Arkansas RiverNatural Attraction
Heartland FarmEducational Farm

Colleges and Universities in Great Bend, Kansas

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Barton Community CollegePublicCommunity CollegeAssociate degrees, technical education, nursing, and workforce training
Fort Hays State UniversityPublicUniversityBusiness, education, agriculture, and online programs
Pratt Community CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTechnical programs and career education
Central Kansas Technical CollegePublicTechnical CollegeSkilled trades and workforce development programs
Great Bend USD 428PublicK–12 DistrictPublic education services

Waterbodies in Great Bend, Kansas

Arkansas River, Cheyenne Bottoms, Walnut Creek, Wet Walnut Creek, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge wetlands

Golf Courses in Great Bend, Kansas

Lake Barton Golf Club, Stoneridge Country Club, Walnut Creek Country Club, Larned Country Club

Great Bend, Kansas — Key Historical Facts

  • Great Bend was founded in 1871 and incorporated as a city in 1872.
  • The city was named Great Bend because it is located near a large bend in the Arkansas River.
  • Great Bend developed as an agricultural and railroad center in central Kansas during the late nineteenth century.
  • The arrival of the railroad helped establish the city as an important shipping and trade location for surrounding farms and ranches.
  • The region became known for wheat farming, cattle production, and energy resources.
  • Cheyenne Bottoms, located near Great Bend, is one of the largest inland wetlands in the United States and an important habitat for migratory birds.
  • Today, Great Bend is known for agriculture, wildlife areas, outdoor recreation, healthcare, and regional commerce.

References

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