Barton County: Wetlands, Santa Fe Trail, and History
Accommodation in Barton County
Barton County combines the history of the Santa Fe Trail with impressive wetlands, wildlife viewing, museums, and unique insights into the region’s culture. Those planning a trip with a variety of interests will find both historic landmarks and nature experiences, as well as walking tours through Great Bend. When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home, it is therefore particularly worth considering whether you want to focus your stay more on landscapes and birdwatching, on history and museums, or on a variety of activities.
Santa Fe Trail and Historic Sites
The Barton County Historical Society Museum is a certified historic site on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. At Pawnee Rock State Historic Site, a well-known landmark commemorates this historic route. Pawnee Rock marked the midpoint of the Santa Fe Trail. From the pavilion, you can take in a 360-degree view of the Arkansas River Valley. The site therefore combines historical significance with a tangible sense of the landscape, without requiring you to commit to a single travel theme.
The Historical Village of the Barton County Historical Society also brings the region’s past to life. The society began work on the village in 1964. It includes a former St. Paul Lutheran Church, which was moved to the site in 1967. The Lustron House is furnished with authentic fixtures and furnishings in the style of the 1950s. Those interested in the development of everyday life, architecture, and regional history can supplement these stops with a visit to the Kansas Oil & Gas Hall of Fame and Museum. A guided tour there covers the various phases of oil and gas production—from geology and drilling to extraction and the manufacture of products. The Hall of Fame also displays portraits and biographies of more than 50 local and state members.
Fort Zarah was built at the meeting point of the Santa Fe Trail, Walnut Creek, and the Smoky Hill Military Road. A second Fort Zarah was established on June 30, 1866, with stone buildings about half a mile northwest of the first fort, north of Highway 56 and east of the present-day park. This fort was abandoned in December 1869. The different historic sites give your trip a timeline that stretches from the trade routes to later regional development.
Wetlands, Birds, and Landscapes
The Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve covers 8,018 acres and borders the 19,857-acre Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. Particularly during the spring and fall migrations, the Wildlife Area offers the best opportunity to observe large numbers of different bird species. Sandhill cranes are especially common there from late October to early November. If you choose your accommodation based on your preferred travel period and focus on nature observation, these seasonal differences provide helpful guidance.
Fishing at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area is largely limited to carp and catfish. Those who would prefer to explore the wetlands with expert guidance can consider the guided van tours offered by the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. The center is located 10 miles northeast of Great Bend on the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway. Its Koch Wetlands Exhibit includes interpretive displays, historical and cultural artifacts, hands-on activities, and natural history collections.
Art, Animals, and Trails in Great Bend
The Shafer Art Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., subject to Barton’s academic closing periods. At the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo, the Raptor Center offers educational displays about birds of prey and a window providing a view into the veterinary clinic. The Raptor Center is open 362 days a year. An active addition is provided by the completed first phase of the Great Bend Riverside Hike & Bike Path, which begins at the Front Door at 10th & Hubbard, as well as walking tours through downtown Great Bend. These tours cover the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco architectural styles of the historic buildings and sites.
Another unusual part of the region’s history is the SRCA Dragstrip, which hosted the first NHRA Nationals in 1955. During your stay, you can therefore switch between natural history, art, architecture, and motorsports history instead of limiting your trip to just one type of attraction.
More Places for Planning Your Trip
For further orientation within the destination, you can also include the destination pages for Great Bend, Olmitz, Ellinwood, and Hoisington. Which vacation rental or vacation home is right for your trip depends above all on the desired mix of wetlands, wildlife viewing, Santa Fe Trail history, museums, and city walks.
For the higher-level travel overview: Kansas.
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