point of rocks

If you're in the Grassland, this is the only place to almost catch the scope of how wide-open the land is. You can see far-away cities, rain-storms in the distance.

Point of Rocks is located just north of Elkhart, Kansas. South of the road leading to point of rocks is some good fishing ponds. I'm not sure whether they are maintained by Cimarron National Grassland Park or the State of Kansas, but if you enjoy fishing you might check that out. I know they are stocked with fish. You will need a Kansas fishing license. branching off the main road to Point Of Rocks on the north side is a short road leading to the famous Middle Springs on the Santa Fe Trail. It still is flowing and there is a nice pond there to see and Grassland National Park maintained nice outdoor restrooms. about a mile or less to the west is the Point of Rocks and a dirt and gravel road leads to the top. It is a high point or small plateau that from here you can see for many miles to the South , East, and West. This was a favorite spot for Plains Indian tribes for spotting travelers to attack on the Santa Fe Trail, enemy tribes in their area,and also for hunting and spotting game like deer and buffalo for hunting. Today it gives a great view of the Cimarron River Valley. Usually the river bed is dry now except for occasional flash floods. The Cimarron is reported to be one of the world's largest underground rivers and usually you must dig only a few feet in the sandy bottom to strike water. The Middle Springs and the dug ponds for fishing all get their water from the underground water of the Cimarron River which is so close to the surface in this area. During the days of trade on the Santa Fe Trail point of rocks was a landmark on the trail that was easy to spot to know where on the trail you were. It was Important as a fresh water source for people, horses, Bison (buffalo), and wild game. It was well known that middle Springs was so near point of Rocks. If you are in this area I would like to warn you this is rattlesnake country, so watch where you are walking and listen for rattling. If you stay on top and on the road it is pretty safe. I would not recommend you take some of the dirt paths from the top to the river bed. While there are some tracks down there where wagons once traveled below the bluff, the sides of the bluff is a known favorite of rattlesnakes and other kinds of snakes. Rattlesnakes are the main threats in this area. Most other snakes are not dangerous, such as bull snakes. If you are adventurous, and are careful you can take the paths, just pay attention and watch where you are putting your feet and hands. Because of the snake problem this not an area to climb for fun. I have photographed models up there a couple of times over the years. Please do not deface this beautiful place. Park Rangers and game wardens do patrol this area so another good reason to leave the beauty for others. There are heavy fines and possibly jail for defacing National Park property. Back on the highway just south toward Elkhart from the Point Of Rocks Road there is a campsite just across on the south side of the river on the East side of the road. follow the dirt road in. There are a couple of old steam powered farm tractors that were found in the river and removed by the park service. They are sitting along the highway near the entrance to the park and are interesting to see. It is believed this obsolete tractors were dumped into the river at certain points to help block erosion originally. There are some picnic tables, cooking places, and restrooms in the campsite. It make require a fee from the park service, I'm not sure on that. This is an area where it is easy to picture the past where wagon trains hauling good between Santa Fe and Kansas City made their way along the route. I can easily picture the vast herds of deer and Bison that used to roan these plains and gathered here for water. Today you can see a variety of wildlife in the area, and working windmills with their concrete or metal holding tanks. Yes, this is cow country as well. You can enjoy a good field trip locally that is worth the effort, or you can camp and fish nearby or hunt during the proper seasons. It is an oasis on the dry plains and very historically important location in the history of this part of the real west. Food, gas, and motels are just a few miles south in Elkhart. Kansas.

This high point in the middle of the plains affords a panorama of flat, open, land. The Santa Fe trail ran along this point. The Cimarron River, or dry river bed, runs nearby. It's usually dry with occasional floods, when it rains.