Road trippin' is about what it does inside you. It's the search, the journey.
You will love what Rural Kansas offers. Enjoy the quirks and things you won't find in bigger cities.
Find some of the best and freshest food in the state.
Places we think you will love to shop.
The four links above only work for last year's multi-county road trip. We apologize for any confusion.
See the list of attractions and events below for May 2-3, 2025.
Cimarron National Grasslands, located near the county seat of Elkhart, it contains 23 miles of the Santa Fe Trail - the largest section on public land. Established after the Dust Bowl to prevent soil erosion, the CNG is dominated by three ecosystems—shortgrass prairie, sandbag prairie, and wooded riparian. More than 345 bird species as well as pronghorn, elk, and mule and whitetail deer, live here. From Morton St. in Elkhart, 2 miles east on U.S. 56, 7 1/2 miles north on K-27, then west into the park and follow the signs.
The views from Point of Rocks located at the Cimarron National Grasslands, is incredible! The sky goes on forever and you can imagine thousands of wagons traveling through this wide open space. Use the directions above then cross the Cimarron River bridge, and turn west. Great place for photos and don't forget the binoculars to look for birds and other wildlife.
Cimarron National Grassland Range Office, 242 E. U.S. 56. Open Monday-Friday 8am-12pm and 1-5pm. 620.697.4621. Office will be closed on Saturday so arrive early enough on Friday to pick up auto tour brochures, bird and wildlife charts and other information.
Eight Mile Corner, from Morton St., 1/2 mile south on U.S. 56, 7 3/4 miles west on A Blvd. (State Line Rd.). You'll see a windmill with a weather vane bearing the names of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado. A large brass plate in the middle of the road points where the state meet. Don't miss your chance to step into three states almost simultaneously!
Morton County Historical Museum, 370 E. U.S. 56. Open Friday 10am-3pm, Saturday 8am-7pm. Start your county exploration at this excellent museum. Acquaint yourself with the Point of Rocks Ranch, the adobe city hall, the POW camp that stood on the site of the present El Rancho Motel, and Olympic track starts who grew up here. Special presentation by Barb Iman about the pioneers and Dirty Thirties at 9 a.m. Olympic track star, Thane Baker will also be here from 1:30-4pm. See more below under Events.
City Hall, WWII Memorial and Olympic Champions, 433 Morton. The WPA (Works Progress Administration) built this adobe building in 1937. If you stop in on Friday before closing time at 5pm, you might ask the city clerk (if she's not too busy) to open the closet door so you can see the original adobe bricks. At the entrance to City Hall you'll see an unusual 1941 WWII veterans memorial—a small monument with an attached drinking fountain. Nearby stands a red granite monument to Glenn Cunningham and Thane Baker, two Olympic track champions from Elkhart.
Doric Theatre, 508 Morton. New life has been breathed into this historic building. It first opened as a vaudeville theatre in 1918, then silent moving pictures were added followed by the "talkies." The Theatre operated until the 1980s and in 2015 the multistage Mitchell Theatre chain, owned by a local farm family and headquartered in Elkhart, restored and reopened the theatre. Oscar's Lounge located upstairs also has an outdoor patio where cocktails and appetizers are served.
Whistle Stop Park, Morton St and U.S. 56. Get your steps in by walking the 2 1/2 mile path that winds its way from east to west paralleling U.S. 56. This lovely green space has plenty of benches to rest, trees for shade and old-fashioned street lights. This is the location for The Stump and Kansas Explorers Club meeting at 10am on Saturday, May 3.
Point Rock Golf Club, 619 Airport. Line up your shot and golf the cornerstone of Kansas. The county-owned nine-hole, grass-green course is an enjoyable escape. The signature seventh hole includes a pond and retaining wall in front of the green, the fourth and fifth hole are built over an airport runway and the fourth is only 30 yards from Oklahoma, so you have an opportunity to hit your ball clear out of the state!
Cunningham Park, Morton St and Stanton St. Named for Glenn Cunningham, world record-setting miler and Olympian who grew up in Elkhart. The park is bordered by a 1930s WPA stone fence.
Rolla Skating Rink, 307 Washington. Roll into the roller rink and pay only $1 to skate. Located in the old American Legion Hall the 1950s wooden rink is the oldest in western Kansas. Open during the Pop Up on Friday 6 -10pm and Saturday 4-10pm.
Rolla Murals, 206 and 215 Washington. Even the smallest towns in Kansas find the resources to beautify their downtown with public art. Good job, Rolla!
Richfield Methodist Church, 451 Walnut. The paneled, multi-colored stained glass windows are especially vibrant from inside the church where the sunlight makes the wooden rafters glow. Constructed in 1910 is thought to be the oldest building in Morton County. Be sure to add the ice cream social to your schedule. It starts at 2pm on Saturday.
4:30pm - FRIDAY, MAY 2 - BEHIND THE SCENES-DORIC THEATRE, 508 Morton: Learn all about Mitchell Theatres and the Doric Theatre during a presentation and tour at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2 and again at 4:30pm on Saturday, May 3. Mitchell Theatres is owned by a local farm family and headquartered in Elkhart. The 1918 theatre was restored and reopened in 2015. Learn more about the fascinating story of the Mitchell Theatre chain headquartered in Elkhart. Photo: dorictheatre.com
6-10pm - FRIDAY, MAY 2 - SKATING IN ROLLA, 307 Washington: No matter your age, it's always a good time to go skating. This nostalgic bit of Americana is brought back to life courtesy of the City of Rolla. Even better is that it only cost $1! See you at the Rolla Recreation Roller Rink! (Also open on Saturday 4-10pm)
6pm - FRIDAY, MAY 2 - GOLF AT POINT ROCK GOLF CLUB, 619 Airport: This beautifully maintained 9-hole course is just begging you to play and it only costs $5 to hit a hole in one. Heck, it sits so close to the Oklahoma state line that you might just hit a ball clear into another state!
7pm - FRIDAY, MAY 2 - TRIVIA AT BIG C'S CAFE, 969 U.S. 56: Do you have an itch to use all that knowledge you have sitting in your brain? Bring your friends and family and join the raucous fun at Big C's for Trivia Night. Who knows your team might even walk away with a prize! NOTE: Big C's regular night for Trivia is on Tuesdays. They are doing a special Trivia Night just for us on Friday and Saturday! Thank you Big C's for the big welcome!
7:30pm - FRIDAY, MAY 2 - MOVIE NIGHT AT THE DORIC, 508 Morton: See the inspiring film, "The Unbreakable Boy", rated PG. Doors open at 6:30pm. Movie starts at 7:30pm. Visit Oscar's Lounge before the show for appetizers and an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage.
6:30 & 8am - SATURDAY, MAY 3 - THE BIRDIEST SITE IN MORTON COUNTY, North St and Lagoon Lane, Elkhart (37.012213, -101.892218): The location of this spot is a bit of a surprise and if you look closely at the location address you might guess why. Join Jackie Augustine, Director of Audubon of Kansas, for a tour of this popular bird site. Don't forget to bring your binoculars!
8:30am - SATURDAY, MAY 3 - PASTRIES & COFFEE AT THE MUSEUM , 370 U.S. 56, Elkhart: Stop by and meet director, Becky Ellis and the gang at the museum. Grab a pastry and coffee and sit a spell before heading out on your exploration adventures or stick around for a special historic presentation by Barb Iman about the pioneers and Dirty Thirties at 9 a.m.
9am - SATURDAY, MAY 3 - PIONEER & DIRTY THIRTIES CHARACTER PRESENTATION, Morton County Historical Museum, 370 U.S. 56, Elkhart: Special presentation by Barb Iman about the pioneers and Dirty Thirties and the unique courage it took to homestead and persevere in Morton County.
10-11am - SATURDAY, MAY 3 - THE STUMP AND KANSAS EXPLORERS CLUB MEETING, Whistle Stop Park, west end of park at Morton St. and U.S. 56, Elkhart: The BKRT Pop Up is a project of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, headed by Marci Penner. For over 30 years she has been "stumping" for Kansas with projects like this one that helps preserve and sustain rural culture. Meet Marci and enjoy the fun, fast paced Kansas trivia game called "The Stump." It starts at 10am followed by a short KEC meeting with fellow explorers from across the state. The meeting is open to everyone. Learn more here.
1pm - SATURDAY, MAY 3 - BIRD WATCHING AT MIDDLE SPRINGS, Cimarron National Grasslands, Elkhart: This historically significant spot at the grasslands is also popular with bird watchers. Middle Spring was an important water stop for travelers along the Santa Fe Trail. The area was also where mountain man Jedediah Smith was killed by Comanches in 1831. Jackie Augustine, Director of Audubon of Kansas, will lead the tour. Click here for a list of bird species that have been sighted in Morton County. From Morton St. in Elkhart, 2 miles east on U.S. 56, 7 1/2 miles north on K-27, then west into the park and follow the signs.
1:30-4pm - SATURDAY, MAY 3 - MEET OLYMPIAN THANE BAKER, Morton County Historical Museum, 370 U.S. 56, Elkhart: Have you ever wondered what it must be like to participate in the Olympics? Now, you have the chance to learn from a Morton County local who medaled in track during the 1952 Olympics. Thane and his daughter, Catherine Baker Nicholson will also sign copies of their book Running in Borrowed Shoes. Learn more about Thane in this video and about Catherine and the book here. Photo: K-State Sports
2-4pm - SATURDAY, MAY 3 - ICE CREAM SOCIAL, Richfield United Methodist Church. 451 Walnut, Richfield: Holy ice cream! Don't miss a chance to enjoy some creamy, delicious ice cream while you roam about the county. You'll feel heavenly with this perfect mid-afternoon snack.
3pm - SATURDAY, MAY 3 - KID-FRIENDLY BIRD WATCHING AT MIDDLE SPRING, Cimarron National Grasslands, north of Elkhart: Exploring with kids? Add this event with Jackie Augustine to your itinerary. They will play a migration game and learn about the challenges birds face when they migrate. The book, Ruby's Birds will be read and kids will learn how to use binoculars. Bring binoculars (if you have them) and be prepared for a 0.5 mile walk (comfortable shoes, water, sun protection, bug spray). Meet in the parking lot at Middle Springs (37.113256, -101.926817) in Cimarron National Grasslands. From Morton St. in Elkhart, 2 miles east on U.S. 56, 7 1/2 miles north on K-27, then west into the park and follow the signs. Event presented by Audubon of Kansas.
4:30pm - SATURDAY, MAY 3 - BEHIND THE SCENES-DORIC THEATRE, 508 Morton: Learn all about Mitchell Theatres and the Doric Theatre during a presentation and tour. Mitchell Theatres is owned by a local farm family and headquartered in Elkhart. The 1918 theatre was restored and reopened in 2015. Learn more about the fascinating story of the Mitchell Theatre chain headquartered in Elkhart. Photo: dorictheatre.com
4-10pm - SATURDAY, MAY 3 - SKATING IN ROLLA, 307 Washington: No matter your age, it's always a good time to go skating. This nostalgic bit of Americana is brought back to life courtesy of the City of Rolla. Even better is that it only cost $1! See you at the Rolla Recreation Roller Rink!
6pm - SATURDAY, MAY 3 - PIE NIGHT IN ELKHART, Morton County Fairgrounds, 440 E. Orchard, Elkhart: Sponsored by the Morton County Chamber of Commerce. The locals would love to meet everyone who has visited their county and learn more about you. They are enticing explorers with their legendary love of pie and invite everyone to attend. Donations appreciated.
7pm - SATURDAY, MAY 3 - TRIVIA AT BIG C'S CAFE, 969 U.S. 56, Elkhart: Do you have an itch to use all that knowledge you have sitting in your brain? Bring your friends and family and join the raucous fun at Big C's for Trivia Night. Who knows your team might even walk away with a prize! NOTE: Big C's regular night for Trivia is on Tuesdays. They are doing a special Trivia Night just for us on Friday and Saturday! Thank you Big C's for the big welcome!
8:30pm - SATURDAY, MAY 3 - SUNSET BIRD WALK AT POINT OF ROCKS, Cimarron National Grasslands, north of Elkhart: From Morton St. in Elkhart, 2 miles east on U.S. 56, 7 1/2 miles north on K-27, then west into the park and follow the signs. You can see for miles from this iconic location along the Santa Fe Trail. And, you'll be sure to see lots of birds when you join Jackie Augustine, Audubon of Kansas, as she gives you pointers on how to spot birds during the evening hours.
10pm - SATURDAY, MAY 3 - KARAOKE AT POUR DECISIONS, 820 Border Ave, Elkhart: If you are still awake after a long day of exploring and feel like showing off your vocal pipes, this will be the place to be on Saturday night! You won't make a "pour decision" to end your evening here.
You can tell people about a good piece of made-from-scratch pie but there's nothing like actually smelling the aroma of it and taking that first bite and making swirls with the filling that drips on the plate and mixing it with the little pieces of sugary crust. Eating a pie in the location it's made is priceless. There is nothing like being there.
The Big Kansas Road Trip is designed to turn people on to exploring by doing it and to do it in a way that will help sustain our communities.
Kansas communities are bolstered by people who love to explore.
The idea is to get people onto the back roads and into Kansas towns to actually SEE PLACES. To actually EAT IN LOCAL CAFES and to talk to and GET TO KNOW THE LOCALS.