Scenic sandstone bluff and historic Santa Fe Trail landmark offering panoramic views, interpretive signage, and a short hiking trail.

How to Get There

From Dodge City, KS (120 mi): Take US-56 W to Elkhart, then head north on KS-27 for 7 miles, turn west on FSR 600.3, and south on FSR 600.3A to reach the site.

Overview

The Point of Rocks Interpretive Site is a prominent sandstone bluff and historic waypoint along the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. Located in the Cimarron National Grassland, it is the third-highest point in Kansas and offers sweeping views of the Cimarron River Valley and the tri-state region of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado. The site features interpretive signage, a short hiking trail, and visible wagon ruts from 19th-century traders. It served as a vital navigation point and lookout for both Native Americans and pioneers traveling the Santa Fe Trail.

Visitors can explore the 0.2-mile out-and-back trail that descends from the bluff to the historic trail crossing, with opportunities to spot wildlife and native plants. The area is rich in natural and cultural history, including nearby Middle Spring, a historic water source. While the trail is accessible year-round, spring through fall offers the best conditions. Interpretive panels provide context about the trail, the 1914 flood, and the region’s ecology. The site is remote and rustic, with no potable water, so visitors should come prepared and remain alert for wildlife, including rattlesnakes.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Point ofd under the https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.