Kansas sucks but if you're in any of the major cities (KS, Wichita, Topeka), you're within a 4-6 hours drive of the the Ozarks in MO/AR or the Ouachitas in Oklahoma.
That's more than good enough for regular 2 day weekend trips.
>Leave work after Friday evening
>Drive 4-5 hours to your spot, get there around 10PM-Midnight
>Sleep in car
>Wake up ready for a full day Saturday, and most of the day Sunday
>Leave Sunday evening around 6PM, grab some diner food and get back to KS from 10PM-Midnight
If you're in western Kansas then the same thing, except with the rocky mountains.