World's Largest Ball of Twine
4.6(1.3K)google
4.8(22)yelp
QuirkyMust-See
Overview
Located in Cawker City, the World's Largest Ball of Twine is one of America's most iconic and whimsical roadside attractions. Started by Frank Stoeber in 1953, this massive creation has grown to weigh over 20,000 pounds through the collective efforts of locals and travelers alike. Unlike static monuments, visitors here are actively encouraged to add their own length of sisal twine to the ball, making it a living piece of community art and a memorable, interactive pitstop that perfectly encapsulates vintage Americana road trip culture.
Practical Info
Every dayOpen 24 hours
Suggested Duration15-30 minutes
Best TimeA classic all-season American roadside attraction. The most photogenic slot is between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM on a bright summer afternoon; warm, golden light streams beneath the protective outdoor gazebo canopy, giving you pristine, well-lit conditions to stand next to this multi-ton ball of twine for iconic road trip photos.
Getting TherePerfectly positioned in Cawker City along US Highway 24 (219 S Wisconsin St). A car is essential: cruise along US-24 directly into the town center, and the prominent outdoor covered structure housing the massive twine ball will appear directly on the south side of the highway, complete with dedicated roadside free parking lanes.
Travel Tips
- The outdoor pavilion is open 24/7 with zero fencing; however, nocturnal wildlife like raccoons and prairie snakes frequent the unlit rural perimeter after dark, making late-night approach highly discouraged.
- To legally wrap a new strand onto the structure, you must secure certified-gauge twine and log your statistics at the Cawker City City Hall during regular weekday business hours instead of using random strings.
- The roadside edge directly under the canopy is a zero-tolerance tow zone along high-speed highway US-24; drivers must pull entirely into the dedicated unpaved gravel lot to avoid agricultural truck collisions.
Reviews
Positive
- This is the ultimate quirky roadside attraction—it's absolutely massive! Best of all, you can actually add a piece of twine to it and get a little souvenir.
- The gazebo structure is kept very neat and clean, with historical records and old photos posted right next to it, making for a perfect photo op.
- It's completely free to visit 24/7, with a dedicated gravel area to park your car, making it a great spot to stretch your legs during a long road trip.
- The townspeople and caretakers are incredibly welcoming, proudly sharing stories of how the community came together to build this giant ball.
Heads up
- It is literally just a single ball of twine; after snapping a quick photo and reading the display, there is nothing else to do around here.
- If you drive hours out of your way just to see this, you will be disappointed; it works strictly as a quick, quirky pit stop on a longer route.
- There are no formal indoor public restrooms nearby, only a basic portable toilet which can get quite unpleasant during the hot summer months.
- The town is very quiet and isolated, offering very few dining options; finding a place nearby to grab a cup of coffee or a quick lunch can be tough.