4 days on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail
Explore the Santa Fe Trail's historic route in Kansas and learn about local Indigenous communities on this four-day trip. See important landmarks, visit museums, and take in the beauty of the prairies.
Day 1
:
Council Grove, Kansas
Begin your journey
Start your trip at the Post Office in Council Grove, where Santa Fe Trail travelers would leave each other notes in a tree stump still standing outside.
Learn about Kaw history
Delve into the culture and history of the Kaw (Kanza) People who gave Kansas their name at Kaw Mission State Historic Site.
Visit the Last Chance Store
Tour the Last Chance Store, the oldest commercial building in town, which served as the final opportunity for traders to buy goods before heading into the wilderness before driving west to Lyons.
Day 2
:
Lyons to Fort Larned
Discover the Coronado-Quivira Museum
Begin your second day in Lyons, Kansas, at the Coronado-Quivira Museum, which focuses on the Indigenous Quivira People.
Westward bound
As you continue west, take the time to stretch your legs while wandering around the historic village from the Santa Fe Trail era located behind the Barton County Historical Society Museum.
Hike at Pawnee Rock State Historic Site
Enjoy sweeping views of the prairie where caravan of wagons once passed through and travelers used to carve their name into the soft sandstone at Pawnee Rock State Historic Site.
Step back in time at Fort Larned
End your day by touring restored buildings at Fort Larned National Historic Site, one of the best-preserved frontier forts along the trail that brings the stories of the past to life. Stay overnight in nearby Larned before continuing your journey.
Day 3
:
Dodge City, Kansas
Travel to Dodge City
Drive to Dodge City and find out why it was nicknamed “Queen of the Cowtowns” while walking through the Boot Hill Museum, where western facades, shows, and shops offer family fun and glimpses into the town’s past.
Walk the Santa Fe Trail tracks
Just outside of Dodge City, you can walk along the preserved wagon ruts of the Santa Fe Trail that were carved by thousands of passing wagons.
Experience the Mueller-Schmidt House
Tour the Mueller-Schmidt House, also known as the "Home of Stone." Built in 1881, the well-preserved home offers a glimpse into 19th-century domestic life on the prairie.
Day 4
:
Cimarron National Grassland, Kansas
Explore the Cimarron National Grassland
Hike the Turkey Trail at Cimarron National Grassland, where you can see original wagon ruts and experience the vast, open prairie much as travelers did over 150 years ago.
Visit Point of Rocks
Make a stop at Point of Rocks, a landmark that helped guide travelers across the prairie. Take in sweeping views and imagine the challenges faced by settlers in the 19th century.
Conclude at Middle Spring
End your journey at Middle Spring, a vital water source for travelers along the Santa Fe Trail, reflecting on the hardships and triumphs of pioneers that passed through this very spot as you enjoy the peaceful prairie surroundings.
Optional add-on
Morton County Historical Museum
Located near Cimarron National Grassland, this historical society has additional exhibits and information about the southern portions of the Santa Fe Trail.
Visit Smart
Plan ahead
Check operating hours and schedules for each site to ensure availability of guided tours and exhibits, as well as driving times between sites and to the nearest gas station.
Watch the weather
Weather on the prairies can be unpredictable and even hot summer days can turn into cool nights—bring layers, sun protection, and plenty of water.
Pack a cooler
If you aren't stopping to check out local cuisine, having a cooler filled with food and drink is a great way to spend your time visiting historical sites as opposed to searching for your next food stop.
Leave no trace
The Santa Fe National Historic Trail passes through the ancestral homelands of many Indigenous peoples. Show respect for the trail and its history by following Leave No Trace principles and always leaving cultural resources untouched where you found them.
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