Oakley Tour Sites / Groups Welcome
Buffalo Bill Cultural Center & Sculpture – US Hwy 83 & Second St, Oakley.
Stop for the legend! It was here in Logan County in 1868 that William F. Cody won his title of Buffalo Bill in a buffalo-hunting contest with William Comstock. Our twice life-sized bronze sculpture of Buffalo Bill on his horse in pursuit of a running buffalo, by local sculptor Charlie Norton, is one of the largest bronzes of its kind anywhere in the world and is one of the “8 Wonders of Kansas Art”. Enjoy the Buffalo Bill Cultural center’s indoor displays, outdoor storyboard, and picnic area.
Tour time: 15-30 minutes. Statue and Story board open to public 24 hours year round. Self-guided. No charge. Donations accepted. Visitor center and gift shop is open year round, Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Saturday 11 am – 5 pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year Day. After hours, by appointment, call 785-671-1000 or email info@buffalobilloakley.org.
Fick Fossil & History Museum – 700 West Third Street, Oakley
Come explore a world of fossils! The Fick Fossil and History Museum is home to many world-class fossils including the bones of the oldest documented mosasaur skull in the world. Enjoy exhibits detailing the Smoky Hill Trail, Kansas Pacific Depot, and a real “soddie” house. One of America’s top 25 museums, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, makes this a must see attraction.
Tour time: 30 minutes to 1 hour. Self-guided. No charge. Donations accepted. Open Memorial Day-Labor Day, Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Saturday 9 am – 3 pm. Closed Holidays. To schedule a guided tour, contact the curator of the museum at 785-671-4839 or email fickmuseum@st.tel.net.
Western Plains Energy – 3022 County Rd 18, Oakley
See first-hand how ethanol is produced. WPE began producing fuel grade ethanol and distiller’s grain in 2004. As of September 30, 2011, WPE was producing at the rate of approximately 50,000,000 gallons of denatured ethanol annually.
Tour time: 30 minutes. No charge. Guided tours are available for small groups (10-12) by appointment only. It is best to plan this tour a week or two in advance to ensure tour time availability. Call 785-672-8810 or email wpe@wpellc.com to schedule.
Monument Rocks & Keystone Gallery – 25 miles south of Oakley
Monument Rocks – East on Jayhawk Rd GPS: N 38° 44.578′ W 100° 76.236′
“Monument Rocks” and “the Kansas Chalk Pyramids” are names used interchangeably for this historic landmark. Formally called Monument Rocks, they were inducted as the first National Natural Landmark in Kansas by the Department of Interior on October 31, 1968. In 2006, Monument Rocks was voted by the public one of the “8 Wonders of Kansas”.
Tour time: 30 minutes. Self-guided drive. No charge. Access is available to the public year round,
however the county roads can also be extremely muddy when it is wet. Please use caution during wet weather. There are no public
restroom facilities or restaurants in the immediate Monument Rocks area. Please be respectful as this is private property.
The Keystone Gallery & Museum – 401 US 83, Scott City GPS: N 38° 44.578′ W 100° 52.116′
Located at the south end of Monument Rocks at US 83 and Dakota Road.
The museum houses a permanent collection of local Kansas Cretaceous fossils, international fossils and a great gift shop. Tour time: 30 minutes to 1 hour. Self-guided. No charge. Donations accepted. The
Gallery is open most days in the summer from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Schedule varies in the winter. Call Barb or Chuck at 620-872-2762 for daily hours, or email keystone@keystonegallery.com.
The Nature Conservancy GPS: N 38° 51.641′ W 100° 58.960′
Smoky Valley Ranch Hiking Trails. On this land, you’ll see a sight that has almost vanished from America — bison roaming a short grass prairie as they did hundreds of years ago. But Smoky Valley Ranch is more than prairie. Dramatic chalk bluffs overlook large expanses of grassland, rocky ravines and Smoky Hill River. Breaks along the upper reaches of the river represent a transition zone between mixed grass and short grass prairie environments. Prairie vistas and chalk bluffs greet hikers as they wind their way around the two trail loops.
Tour time: Varies depending on route chosen. The first loop is one-mile hike. The second loop is five mile hike. Hiking trails are open year round. No charge. Because of the rough terrain, boots are recommended. Any items brought in like water bottles or food wrappers must be taken out. Directions and hiking trail maps available at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center. 785-671-1000
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park GPS: N 38° 47.582′ W 100° 56.800′ – Kansas’ newest state park!
Newly acquired by The Nature Conservancy, this collection of chalk outcroppings has had many names. In the late 19th century, it was said to resemble the ruins of many castles, thus “Castle City.” Some say that it got the name “Little Jerusalem” or “New Jerusalem” because from a distance it looks like the ancient walled city of Jerusalem. ”
Tour Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour. 1/4 mile and 1 1/4 self guided tours. Two hour Guided tours available with reservation. State park pass or day pass required. For more information, call 620-872-2061.
Butterfield Trail Museum – 515 Hilts Box 1, Russell Springs
The museum preserves and displays the rich history of the Butterfield Overland Despatch stage line, as well as the human and natural history of this corner of the Great Plains.
Tour time: Approximately 1 hour. Self-guided. No charge. Donations accepted. Museum is open from the first Tuesday in May through Labor Day weekend. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call 785-751-4242 for more information or to schedule a guided tour.
For information about all the sites along the Western Vistas Historic Byway visit: WVHB website
Download the PDF: Oakley Tours 2020