santa fe trail tracks

Mjowl

I love history and it is awsome to stand where so many wagon trains traveled. Had to walk up a small rise but once you got there you could see the tracks. It just makes you think about the people that rode across there and what they went through so long ago.

Sgssls

I enjoyed walking out and seeing the wagon trail and reading the history of the trail. It is fascinating how the wagon trails are so easily to see. It is on the side of highway 400/50 west of Dodge City. Worth going to see.

sarahdF8414IK

This is the only worthwhile attraction in Dodge City, in my opinion. We went in January and the ruts in the ground were very obvious. There were some great interpretive panels that explained the basics about the Santa Fe trail and what we were looking at. I found it quite moving to be able to see such clear evidence of such an important part of American history!

cwm1611

Remember that the last wagon trains were about 150 years ago and the land was farmed, grazed or both in succeeding years. As a result,ANY evidence remaining is amazing.Even if you don't quite see the ruts (early or late Sun is best), stand there and picture WALKING for 900 miles across this land. The normal temperature difference between high(late afternoon) and low (a couple of hours before sunrise)around here is 20 to 30 degrees.If the wind is down around 5 to 10mph we say the wind ain't blowing at all.

hanras

A person has to walk up the hill to see the wagon tracks. It is easily seen and there are markers telling about them. Great to see and visit!

nurseyperson

These are west of Dodge City and you walk up a little hill to see a few faint trails where wagons were on the trail. Difficult to tell what you are seeing, and some are just darker places in the dirt or different color in the grass. Kinda OK for about 5 minutes if you are interested in this.

SandyML262

The trails are visible from an overlook. There is a boardwalk across the prairie land. You cannot get up close to the tracks. It was windy and cold when we visited. Can't imagine the life the pioneers lived and the conditions the encountered.

cavebat

This area of Kansas had more rain than usual this year so the grass was tall and it was very difficult to figure out where the trail actually was but the signage was very nicely done and helped us see where they trail once was.

170sherrym

I could see at least three paths that the wagons took and could imagine what it might have been like crossing the prairie, so windy and desolate. Glad I took the time to visit the spot, just a few minutes from our hotel.

jacks889

Clean air, nice vistas, and a great sense of the challenges and adventures between 1820 and 1880 along this historically important trade route. The wildflowers and prairie grass accent the spaces between the old and slowly fading wagon ruts.

662carols

Went to see the trail tracks from the old wagons going west. Cannot imagine the tenacity and courage that those people had.Just a tip..go early in the day during summer. Sure is hot there in August in middle of afternoon.

2babybluz

Wasn't alot of hupla at the stop, but since I am a history buff, and had ancestors come across the plains on the Santa Fe trail.... I was so exciting to see the tracks that they actually made and know that I was able to be where they traveled...

pma03

We weren't able to find the tracks since it was summer and everything is overgrown, but oh those swaying grasses!! There were barn swallows nesting above the exhibits and grasshoppers bounded on the fields. We stayed almost an hour just because it was so lovely!

DDay1959

Between the 1820's and 1870's thousands of covered wagons transversed the Santa Fe Trail which started in Independence, MO and ended in Santa Fe, NM. At this location, one can actually seem the remnants of the ruts created by these wagons. As an added bonus, standing on top of the hill, you can see forever across the Kansas plains.

NetaVee

The signage is very good leading to the end of the nice pathway, but the ruts were not obvious to us. There should be some sign or marker indicating the path of the trail. In the positive, the view is very nice and the site is very peaceful.