Western Vistas

Historic Byway

Visit a rugged landscape on the culturally and visually fascinating route known as the Western Vistas Historic Byway. Imagine an ancient ocean once covering the shortgrass prairie. When the water receded and erosion set in, the ocean floor's limestone layers became not only flat plains but oddly placed and shaped buttes, mounts, and other chalk formations. Here, in western Kansas, is the Wild, Wild West of legend; this is where pioneers trekked, rustlers roamed, and Pueblo Natives sought refuge and hunted bison - all attempting to eke out a living.

The region surrounding the Byway is a geology and paleontology paradise punctuated with unusual rock formations and among the best fossil hunting areas in the world. Active fossil digs began with regularity in the 1870s. Early discoveries contributed significantly to the fossil record and included previously unknown and extinct animals, such as flying reptiles and toothed birds. While the area literally "rocks," its cultural history may be petrifying to some. Here you can experience El Quartelejo Museum and Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection where Fossils Meet the Frontier and Art and History Tell a Story; then explore  Fort Wallace, "the fightin-est Fort in the West”; walk in the footsteps of bison hunter Buffalo Bill Cody; encounter the ruins from the migration of the Pueblo Indians to El Cuartelejo; and visit Battle of Punished Woman’s Fork, the site of the last conflict between the Northern Cheyenne and the United States troops.

Western Vistas Historic Byway Website

  • Route Description

    Distance: 102 miles

    Traveling from Scott City, KS to Sharon Springs, KS: Beginning at El Quartelejo Museum & Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection (902 W. 5th/Hwy.96), travel east to the intersection of K-96 and US-83 in Scott City, head north on US-83 towards Oakley, KS. On the way to Oakley, don't forget to stop by Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park - The Newest State Park in Kansas! Once you get to Oakley, make a left on the classic US-40 Highway and head west towards Sharon Springs, KS. Staying on US-40, the route eventually concludes in Sharon Springs, KS.

    Traveling from Sharon Springs, KS to Scott City, KS: Beginning in Sharon Springs, KS, head east on the classic US-40 Highway towards Oakley, KS. Once you reach Oakley, turn right US-83 and begin heading south towards Scott City, KS. On the way to Scott, City, don't forget to stop by Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park - The Newest State Park in Kansas! Continue south on US-83 until the route eventually concludes at El Quartelejo Museum & Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection (902 W. 5th/Hwy.96) in Scott City, KS.

  • El Quartelejo Museum

    Explore the El Quartelejo Museum as it leads the visitor through a developing story line, one which traces the history of this region of…

    Buffalo Bill Bronze Sculpture

    Did you know that world famous Buffalo Bill Cody earned the legendary title "Buffalo Bill" in this part of the country? The legendary…

    Fick Fossil and History Museum

    Museum focuses on local fossils and history. See an extensive historic photo display, Mrs. Fick's creative folk-artwork with fossils and…

    Fort Wallace Museum

    Fightin'est Fort in the West; exhibits on Custer's 7th Cavalry, Fred Harvey, BOD Stagecoach Station, Kansas Pacific Railway, barbwire folk…

    Castle Rock

    Thousands of years ago, this area was covered by a chalk ocean, which accounts for the chalk bluffs and beds. The chalk bluffs are still a…

    The Winona Cafe

    Welcome to The Cafe in Winona At The Cafe in Winona, we serve up quality home cooking in a laid-back, friendly atmosphere, along with…

    Mt Sunflower Bed and Breakfast

    8 amazing rooms of pure elegance tucked away in a charming old church. Where the prairie and the sky meet your eye. Highest point in Kansas…

  • Things to do along the way

    Photos

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    For more information about the Western Vistas Historic Byway, contact:

    info@westernvistashistoricbyway.com
    620-874-0174 
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