Two themes take center stage in Barton County: seasonal bird migrations at Cheyenne Bottoms and the history of the Santa Fe Trail. There are also collections, architecture, and walking tours in Great Bend. These themes offer different ways to explore the area: one through the timing of bird migrations, the other through specific places and buildings.
Bird Migrations and Wetlands
The Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve covers 8,018 acres and borders the 19,857-acre Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. At the Wildlife Area, spring and fall migrations offer the best opportunities to observe large numbers of different bird species. Sandhill cranes are especially common there from late October to early November. This identifies a narrower time frame for this species within the general migration seasons; seasonal timing can vary from year to year.
Fishing there is also clearly defined: it is mostly limited to carp and catfish. The species you may encounter can depend on water conditions. If you would like to explore the wetlands with a guide, consider the guided van tours offered by the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. Check whether these tours are available before your trip. The Center is 10 miles northeast of Great Bend on the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway.
At the Center’s Koch Wetlands Exhibit, natural history, history, and culture come together: the exhibit features interpretive displays, historical and cultural artifacts, hands-on activities, and natural history collections. Its content may change over time. Alongside seasonal wildlife viewing, visitors can explore an exhibit that covers different aspects of the wetlands.
Traces of the Santa Fe Trail
The Barton County Historical Society Museum is a certified historic site on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. Pawnee Rock State Historic Site is also a well-known landmark associated with the Santa Fe Trail. Pawnee Rock marked the midpoint of the trail. Visitors can stand on the pavilion and take in a 360-degree view of the Arkansas River Valley. Check conditions at the site before you arrive.
Another historic stop is Fort Zarah, built at the junction of the Santa Fe Trail, Walnut Creek, and the Smoky Hill Military Road. On June 30, 1866, a second Fort Zarah was established with stone buildings, about half a mile northwest of the first. It stood north of Highway 56 and east of the present-day park; it was abandoned in December 1869.
The Barton County Historical Society began work on its Historical Village in 1964. It includes a former St. Paul Lutheran Church, which was moved to the site in 1967. The Lustron House offers another glimpse into the more recent past: it is furnished with authentic 1950s-style decor. Together, these examples show how different buildings and interior styles complement the historical themes.
Architecture, Museums, and Walking Tours in Great Bend
Self-guided walking tours of downtown Great Bend cover the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco styles found in historic buildings and places. The tour app and its content may be updated, so it’s a good idea to check the latest version before setting out. For outdoor exercise, there is also the Great Bend Riverside Hike & Bike Path: the completed first phase starts at the Front Door at 10th & Hubbard.
The Shafer Art Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except during Barton’s academic closures. If your visit might fall during one of these closures, check the schedule. At the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo, the Raptor Center offers educational displays about birds of prey and a window overlooking the animal clinic. It is open 362 days a year; since hours may change, check them before you arrive.
The Kansas Oil & Gas Hall of Fame and Museum takes visitors through different stages of oil and gas production, from geology and drilling to extraction and the manufacture of products. It also features portraits and biographies of more than 50 local and state members; that number may grow as more people are inducted. The SRCA Dragstrip offers its own historic highlight: the first NHRA Nationals were held there in 1955.
Discover more destinations: Great Bend, Olmitz, Ellinwood, Hoisington, Crawford, Norton County, Wyandotte County, Harper County.
For the main travel overview: Kansas.
