Western Vistas Historic Byway

The plains now filled with oceans of prairie and waves of amber grain once looked very different for ancient eyes. Kansas was once a vast inland sea filled to the brim with aquatic life. When the water receded, erosion and a little bit of luck, left behind patches of otherworldly landscapes and formations that will make your jaw drop to the former deep-sea floor. The rugged landscape of the Western Vistas Historic Byway blends with the historic, and pre-historic, to create an adventure unlike any other. To learn more, please visit the Western Vistas Historic Byway Website.

Western Vistas Byway Map

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Things to do along the way

About the Byway

Interpretive Sites

Locations

US-40 & K-27 NW corner at the intersection of (38.90207, -101.75003)
Fort Wallace Post Cemetery 1 mile S,1 mile E of US 40 (38.90306, -101.55945)
US 40 & K-25 just west of the intersection (39.102, -101.05251)

Driving Directions

Distance: 102 miles

Traveling from Scott City, KS to Sharon Springs, KS: Beginning in Scott City, head north on US 83. At the intersection with K-95, turn left and head north for a drive through Historic Lake Scott State Park. Upon leaving the park, continue north on US 83 towards Oakley, KS. On the way to Oakley, don't forget to stop by Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. 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 on US 83 and head south towards Scott City, KS. On the way to Scott City, don't forget to stop by Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. When you return to US-83, head south. At the intersection with K-95, turn right and head south for a drive through Historic Lake Scott State Park. Upon leaving the park, continue south on US 83 until the route eventually concludes in Scott City, KS.

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