Rising fifty to sixty feet above the surrounding terrain, Pawnee Rock served as an important landmark for travelers on the Santa Fe Trail, marking the halfway point of the long journey. This Kansas State Historic Site invites visitors to stand atop the pavilion for a 360-degree view of the Arkansas River Valley, read exhibits about the area’s significance, and enjoy a picnic at a covered table. Visit go.nps.gov/PawneeRock to learn more.
Walk through five distinct swales created by thousands of heavily loaded freight wagons as they traveled the Santa Fe Trail. A quarter mile, gravel trail loops through and along the swales that are up to 15 feet wide, and 4 and a half feet deep. Exhibits tell the site’s history and significance as you explore. Most of this tallgrass prairie remains unplowed, offering visitors a chance to see the landscape as trail travelers would have over a hundred years ago.
Duration:
1 minute, 3 seconds
Last updated: October 30, 2024
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Contact Info
Mailing Address:
National Trails Office Regions 6, 7, & 8
Santa Fe National Historic Trail
1100 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe,
NM
87505
