Big Basin Prairie Preserve

Just 15 miles south of Minneola, Highway 283 bisects the Big Basin, a natural sinkhole thought to have been created by dissolving salts a few thousands years ago dropping the surface 100 ft. The highway traverses 1.04 miles through the basin before climbing to the rim, which has nearly vertical walls. The entrance to the Big Basin Prairie Preserve lies in the bottom of the basin, which is home to a free roaming buffalo herd. Visitors are urged follow the unimproved road to St. Jacob’s Well, but to use caution when exiting their vehicles as these animals are unpredictable.

Big Well

The Big Well, advertised as the “World's Largest Hand-Dug Well” is located in Greensburg just 50 miles east of Minneola on US 54. This oversized well was completed in 1888 in order to meet the demand of the trains crossing southwestern Kansas. It was dug 109 feet deep and 32 feet in diameter with tools of the day—shovels, picks, and pulleys.

For the brave of heart, take time to descend the metal stairs into the well and contemplate the effort that went into the building of this structure.

Located in the same building is a 1,000 pound Pallasite meteorite, discovered in 1949, which is thought to be world’s largest--or was considered the largest until a recent find in the same area. The Pallasite boulder--probably the result of an ancient meteor shower--was found in a farmer’s field in the area.

Boot Hill

Just 20 miles to the north of Minneola, travelers will find the historic Boot Hill made famous by the television show “Gunsmoke.” The Boot Hill and Front Street replicas draw visitors into the history of Dodge City, which was the largest cattle market in the world for 10 years and for 15 years was thought to be the wildest town on the American frontier, according to the historical marker located just west of Dodge City on US 50. After a day of visiting the museum on Front Street, take time to eat and checkout the remainder of Boot Hill before checking out the Santa Fe Depot and the Repertory Theater.

Clark County Lake

Just 15 miles to the southeast via county roads and blacktop, sits Clark County Lake nestled in a rugged area of Clark County. This 337-acre lake affords those seeking a restful getaway with a picturesque stop for picnicking, fishing, boating, and camping in the canyon of Bluff Creek where geology enthusiasts will enjoy scouring the rock faces for traces of prehistoric life.

Coronado Cross Park

Visit the park that commemorates the spot where historians believe that Francisco Coronado and 30 of his Spanish soldiers crossed the Arkansas River, during their 1541 expedition to find the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola. A 38 foot cross overlooks the bed of the Arkansas River where diaries indicate that the expedition crossed the river on June 29. This lead historians to reason that priests probably held a religious mass celebrating St. Peter and Paul’s Day--considering this to be the first Christian service held in the interior of North America.

Dalton Gang Hideout

Members of the Dalton Gang, notorious for robbing trains and banks, used their sister’s home as a hideout. This unassuming home of Eva Whipple was built on a hill above a small stream, bordered by cottonwoods. It was an ideal spot to dig an escape tunnel to the barn 95 ft. downhill. This tunnel, which exists today, allowed the Daltons to leave undetected by the law. The Dalton Gang hideout, escape tunnel, and museum are located in Meade on US 54 just 20 miles southwest of Minneola.

Fort Dodge

Fort Dodge was established in 1859 to provide protection for the wagon trains and the US Mail Service traversing the Santa Fe Trail. It served as a supply base for troops involved in the Indian Wars against the Plains Indians—including the Kiowa and the Cheyenne. Eight years later, it was relocated and rebuilt in stone buildings, then abandoned in 1882. The stone structures are still in use. To reach Fort Dodge follow the Arkansas River southwest from Dodge City on Highway 400.

Pioneer Museum and Harold Krier Aerobatic Museum

Pioneer Museum, located in Ashland just 35 miles southeast of Minneola, displays bones of excavated prehistoric animals found in the region, as well as memorabilia of early life Clark County. There is a surprise awaiting visitors to find Harold Krier Aerobatic Museum showcased in the building. The unique displays feature actual planes flown by the Ashland, Kansas, native and former National Aerobatic Champion.

St. Jacob’s Well

St. Jacob’s Well was a welcome spot in this arid area for early explorers and settlers as well as for drovers who used the watering hole for cattle during the long cattle drives heading for Dodge City. A stone pillar marks the highest point, affording travelers a point of reference for St. Jacob’s Well which is located in the Little Basin, a sinkhole with a diameter of 280 yds. This basin has never been known to go dry. Legend was that it was bottomless and that blind fish inhabited it in an underground stream, which could carry away anything that fell into it. It has since been determined that it is actually a spring, much like several found in this area of the Red Hills. The Well sits 35 feet below the rim and is actually 60 feet deep.