See Santa Fe Trail Ruts

No visit to Fort Larned would be complete without a trip to see the preserved Santa Fe Trail ruts located five miles southwest of the main park grounds. The Santa Fe Trail was once a major route through the Southwest. Trade goods and mail traveled over the trail until the railroad replaced it. For over 50 years, thousands of wagons traveled over the route, carving deep ruts into the land. Seen from the air, their tracks look as if someone dragged a giant rake across the land. Today there are very few of these ruts left. Fort Larned preserves a small section of trail ruts at our detached Trail Ruts Site. Explore history first hand and see real ruts left by countless wagons on this legendary trail. The trail ruts site is about 5.5 miles one-way on gravel roads. You can pick up directions at the Visitor Center, or use the directions below. You can also find a map in the location section below. Be sure and check with a ranger about road conditions before going. Directions: 1. Leaving Fort Larned National Historic Site, turn left (west) on KS Hwy 156. 2. Turn left (south) on 180th Ave and continue four miles to the junction with J Road. 3. Turn right (west) onto J Road and continue one mile. 4. Turn left (south) on 190th Ave. and continue about 1/2 mile to the parking area. 5. The parking area for the trail ruts site will be on your left. When you get there, take a half mile walk on the mowed path to see the historic ruts up close. There is also a viewing platform where you can get get a bird’s eye view of the ruts.