This road trip has a lot of history, both prehistoric and much more recent. Everything from fossils and ancient seas to battles and bits in between are along this road trip, and we hope you enjoy these spots as much as we do. It’s equal parts scenery and scenes from the past!
- Boot Hill - Dodge City
Jill Nelson/Google Boot Hill is a spot that is partially tourist attraction and partially historic prairie town. Once the start of the true old west, today it remains almost a museum from that time period.
- Santa Fe Trail - Dodge City
Sean Anderson/Google Speaking of settlers and The West, these wagon trail ruts are still mostly visible right outside of town. If the grass and the light hits it just right, then you’ll see the exact path of so many travelers as they came through Kansas.
- Kearny County Museum - Lakin
Kearny County Historical Society Museum Facebook Thanks to years of hard work, this museum encompasses multiple buildings that cover historical displays in the main building, the Columbia School House, a round barn, and a Sante Fe Depot.
- El Quartelejo - Scott City
Liz L/Google The northernmost pueblo ever recorded is right here at Scott City Lake State Park, where you can almost see the walls rising up from the ground on the foundation still left behind.
- Battle of Punished Woman’s Fork - Scott City
Roberta Schuelke/Google This historic moment happened here in Kansas, where the last Native American battle was fought. It’s just south of the State Park, and visitors are encouraged to leave the site as they found it.
- Keystone Gallery - Scott City
John Wells/Google This gorgeous gallery puts plenty of fish on display, but not fish you’d recognize right away. These are fossils from the inland sea that once covered western Kansas, leaving behind little remnants of the life that thrived here.
- Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park - Oakley
john xue/Google Kansas’s newest state park is now open to the public, and we couldn’t be more excited to show you just how beautiful these badlands are. Just be sure to stay on the path and leave nothing behind!
- Fick Fossil and History Museum - Oakley
Fick Fossil and History Museum Facebook Local fossils, folk art, and plenty of historic displays are given a place of pride here at the museum, where you can browse multiple time periods at your leisure. Which history is your favorite?
- Buffalo Bill Cultural Center - Oakley
William Brackett/Google Buffalo Bill made his living as a hunter feeding the crews laying the Kansas Pacific Railroad tracks, and the cultural center is known as a big staple for anyone who wants to see every bit of Kansas. Although bison were wildly overhunted in Kansas, his skill in hunting horseback is renown throughout history.
- Prairie Museum of Art & History - Colby
Prairie Museum-Art & History/Google This historical society museum displays photographs, artifacts, and general history of the local area, as well as art that is displayed with just as much honor. From recreated rooms and schoolhouses to war uniforms, you’ll always have somewhere to look and learn here.
To get a link to our map you see below, click here. Feel free to travel this road trip in either direction, whichever suits you the most!
Jill Nelson/Google
Boot Hill is a spot that is partially tourist attraction and partially historic prairie town. Once the start of the true old west, today it remains almost a museum from that time period.
Sean Anderson/Google
Speaking of settlers and The West, these wagon trail ruts are still mostly visible right outside of town. If the grass and the light hits it just right, then you’ll see the exact path of so many travelers as they came through Kansas.
Kearny County Historical Society Museum Facebook
Thanks to years of hard work, this museum encompasses multiple buildings that cover historical displays in the main building, the Columbia School House, a round barn, and a Sante Fe Depot.
Liz L/Google
The northernmost pueblo ever recorded is right here at Scott City Lake State Park, where you can almost see the walls rising up from the ground on the foundation still left behind.
Roberta Schuelke/Google
This historic moment happened here in Kansas, where the last Native American battle was fought. It’s just south of the State Park, and visitors are encouraged to leave the site as they found it.
John Wells/Google
This gorgeous gallery puts plenty of fish on display, but not fish you’d recognize right away. These are fossils from the inland sea that once covered western Kansas, leaving behind little remnants of the life that thrived here.
john xue/Google
Kansas’s newest state park is now open to the public, and we couldn’t be more excited to show you just how beautiful these badlands are. Just be sure to stay on the path and leave nothing behind!
Fick Fossil and History Museum Facebook
Local fossils, folk art, and plenty of historic displays are given a place of pride here at the museum, where you can browse multiple time periods at your leisure. Which history is your favorite?
William Brackett/Google
Buffalo Bill made his living as a hunter feeding the crews laying the Kansas Pacific Railroad tracks, and the cultural center is known as a big staple for anyone who wants to see every bit of Kansas. Although bison were wildly overhunted in Kansas, his skill in hunting horseback is renown throughout history.
Prairie Museum-Art & History/Google
This historical society museum displays photographs, artifacts, and general history of the local area, as well as art that is displayed with just as much honor. From recreated rooms and schoolhouses to war uniforms, you’ll always have somewhere to look and learn here.
There’s a lot out there, so if you have any suggestions as to where we should go next please let us know!
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Address: Kansas, USA
