Santa Fe Trail Yellow Brick Road Trip

While more Settlers traveled the Oregon and California Trails, it was the Santa Fe Trail that tamed the prairie. Military forts along the Trail provided the backing and support of the U.S. Government, and subdued and relocated the native peoples of the plains and the Southwest. By the 1870's the barons of commerce turned their eyes to the railroads after the first Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad train reached Santa Fe. The story of the Santa Fe Trail is not a long chapter in the history of the West, but there is no question it is an important and enduring chronicle in America's advance to become a great nation.

Day 1

Gardner Junction Park

32505 West 183rd Street
PO Box 402
Gardner, KS 66030
Phone: (913) 856-6464

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This new park tells the story of the Santa Fe, California and Oregon Trails. The park is part of the National Park Service. More

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Lone Elm Park

167th and Lone Elm Rd
Olathe, KS 66062
Phone: 9139716263

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This site has been certified by the National Park Service as a historic site on the Santa Fe, Oregon and California trails. Enjoy this frontier campground where Kit Carson once slept. Wagon ... More

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Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site

1200 Kansas City Rd
Olathe, KS 66061
Phone: (913) 971-5111

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Visit Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm, a certified site on the National Santa Fe Trail by the National Park Service. Enter the site through the Heritage Center at Mahaffie. Experience exhibits ... More

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Wooden Spoke Restaurant

203 1st St
Baldwin City, KS 66006
Phone: (785) 594-2222

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The Wooden Spoke offers a rustic, family atmosphere complete with home cooking as well as steak and catfish. Prime rib weekend specials and buffalo burgers sure to please. There are pool tables ... More

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Day 2

Council Oak

210 E Main
Council Grove, KS 66846
Phone: (620) 767-5413

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US Commissioners and Osage Indian Chiefs signed the treaty under this tree on August 10, 1825 guaranteeing safe passage to all traveling the Santa Fe Trail through Osage territory. The US paid the ... More

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Hays House Restaurant & Tavern

112 W Main St
Council Grove, KS 66846
Phone: (620) 767-5911

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First opened in 1857, you can enjoy fine dining in the oldest, continuously operated restaurant west of the Mississippi River. A steak house that gets patrons' raves about its fried chicken, ham ... More

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Madonna of the Trail

E Main St at N Union St
Council Grove, KS 66846
Phone: (620) 767-5413

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This is one of 12 "Madonnas" erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to recognize and honor the "Pioneer Mothers of the Covered Wagon Days", the hardy women who made the long and ... More

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Neosho Riverwalk

W Main St at the Neosho River
Council Grove, KS 66846
Phone: (620) 767-5413

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The Neosho Riverwalk is a paved, scenic walking and bicycle trail along both sides of the river surrounding the most documented river crossing on the Santa Fe Trail. The well-lighted walkways ... More

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Post Office Oak

22 E Main St
Council Grove, KS 66846
Phone: (620) 767-5413

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For 22 years (1825 - 1847) this massive Bur Oak tree served as an "unofficial post office" as passing west-bound wagon trains would drop mail destined for the eastern US in a natural cache at the ... More

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Self-Guided Tour: Santa Fe Trail in Council Grove

207 W Main St
Council Grove, KS 66846
Phone: (620) 767-5413

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Self-guided tour of over 24 historic sites on the Santa Fe Trail and the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway including the Kaw Mission Historic Site & Museum, Hays House Restaurant est. 1857, Old ... More

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Trail Days Cafe & Museum

803 West Main St
Council Grove, KS 66846
Phone: (620) 767-7986

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Guests are transported back to a time when some homes along the Santa Fe Trail served as eating places. Delicious, made-from-scratch American Indian, Old World, Early American, and 20th-Century ... More

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Day 3

Coronado Quivira Museum

105 W Lyon
Lyons, KS 67554
Phone: (620) 257-3941

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The Coronado Quivira Museum focuses on the history of Rice County and Central Kansas. Exhibits feature the Quivira Indians, Coronado's 1541 journey north, Santa Fe Trail, and rural America 1902. ... More

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Delgado's Mexican Restaurant

2210 10th Street
Great Bend, KS 67530
Phone: (620) 793-3786

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Our food is made from scratch everyday. Chips are cooked when ordered adn come to the table hot. Pork chili is one of our best menu items. We are a family-friendly restaurant. We also rent our ... More

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Ellinwood Tunnels

2 N Main
Ellinwood, KS 67526
Phone: (620) 564-2400

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Tours of the underground tunnels built in 1878 under Ellinwood. Daily tours include tour of underground livery stable, barber shop, bath house, and history of the origin. More

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Main Street Deli

108 S Main St
P.O. Box 773
McPherson, KS 67460
Phone: (620) 241-1888

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Mouth watering...made from scratch pies, cookies and quiche have been our specialty for over 20 years. Unique and delicious sandwiches, yummy salads and soups.... Broccoli Cheese or Potato Bacon ... More

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Maxwell Wildlife Refuge and Buffalo Tour

2565 Pueblo Rd
Canton, KS 67428
Phone: (620) 628-4455

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A great Kansas adventure to visitors year round. The refuge features roaming buffalo and elk, over 100 species of birds identified, bluebird trail, observation tour and tour center with displays ... More

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Day 4

Barton County Historical Society Museum & Village

85 South Highway 281
Great Bend, KS 67530
Phone: (620) 793-5125

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The Village boasts several period original buildings: 1873 native stone house, 1898 church, 1910 railroad depot, 1915 school house, small post office and a Lustron house exhibit...all ... More

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Casey's Cowtown Club

503 E Trail
Dodge City, KS 67801
Phone: (620) 227-5225

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Casey's Cowtown specializes in Kansas steaks and classic American cuisine. Banquet room available. More

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Fort Larned National Historic Site

1767 KS HWY 156
Larned, KS 67550
Phone: (620) 285-6911

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Fort Larned is the most complete and best preserved military post of the Indian Wars era on the Santa Fe Trail. The Fort consists of 9 authentically restored and refurnished buildings including ... More

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Great Bend Mural Project & Quilt Walk

Downtown
Courthouse Square
Great Bend, KS 67530
Phone: (620) 792-2750

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Attractive murals decorate many of the downtown businesses. Colored quilt blocks around courthouse. Walking and driving tour. Maps available. More

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Meyer Deli & Crafts

902 Broadway
Larned, KS 67550
Phone: (620) 285-2222

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Family owned deli shop with homemade sandwiches, bread, soups, pie, and extra large cinnamon rolls. Homemade craft and wood items decorate the store and are available for purchase. More

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Santa Fe Trail Center

1349 K-156 Hwy.
Larned, KS 67550
Phone: (620) 285-2054

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A large museum tells the history of the Plains Indians, Mexicans and Americans. Their stories are interwoven through exploration, trade, settlement and conflict. Visitors of all ages will enjoy ... More

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Day 5

Central Station Club and Grill

207 East Wyatt Earp
Dodge City, KS 67801
Phone: (620) 225-1176

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Best Mesquite grill in town. A unique dining experience in a railroad themed restaurant, complete with a dining car, railroad memorabilia and more! Check out our web page for special events. More

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Dodge City Historic Trolley Tours

400 W Wyatt Earp Blvd
PO Box 1474
Dodge City, KS 67801
Phone: (620) 225-8186

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Visit places where history was made along the Santa Fe Trail, Fort Dodge, other Old West locations and cattle stockyards on a narrated historic site tour. More

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Kansas Heritage Center

1000 N 2nd Ave
Dodge City, KS 67801
Phone: (620) 227-1616

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If you have questions about the history of the area or the State, this is the place to start your research. Dodge City, Great Plains, Santa Fe Trail, Cattle Trails, Old West history and all of ... More

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Lee Richardson Zoo & Safari Shoppe

312 E Finnup Dr
Finnup Park
Garden City, KS 67846
Phone: (620) 276-1250

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Beautiful grounds and fascinating creatures from all over the globe. Over 300 animals are displayed within the 47-acre grounds. The zoo is designed for fun, learning, and discovery and is ... More

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Day 6

Cimarron National Grassland

242 E Hwy 56
PO Box 300
Elkhart, KS 67950
Phone: (620) 697-4621

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23 miles of historic Santa Fe Trail crosses the 108,000 acres of the Cimarron National Grassland. Today you can still see ruts and the site where freight wagons camped at Middle Spring and used ... More

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El Ranchito

111 E Oklahoma
Ulysses, KS 67880
Phone: (620) 356-9255

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Mexican and American food. More

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Historic Adobe Museum Complex and Hotel Edwards

300 E Oklahoma
Ulysses, KS 67880
Phone: (620) 356-3009

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An Indian encampment on the banks of the Cimarron gives the visitor a glimpse into the life of the nomadic Indians who followed the immense herds of buffaloes across the Plains. A freight wagon ... More

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Wagon Bed Springs on the Santa Fe Trail

S on Hwy 25 8 miles, take turn-off 3.5 miles on Wagon Bed Springs Rd
Ulysses, KS 67880
Phone: (620) 356-4700

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The route followed by most travelers on the Santa Fe Trail prior to the Mexican War. The springs were located on the most dangerous stretch of the journey to Santa Fe. Not only were the springs a ... More

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