Kit Carson ColoradoATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Kit Carson, Colorado.
1. Kit Carson Museum
HISTORIC PIONEER HERITAGE
The Kit Carson Museum is housed in an old Union Pacific Railroad depot that showcases artifacts highlighting the heritage of the prairie and its pioneer era. Visitors can explore exhibits that dig into the town's frontier history and the legacy of its namesake, the famous western scout and guide. The museum complex also includes a railroad signal maintainer's house and a caboose for train enthusiasts to discover.
2. St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE
St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church stands as a historical religious landmark in Kit Carson. The church represents an important part of the spiritual heritage of this frontier town that has persevered despite being burned to the ground three times throughout its history. Its architecture and presence reflect the enduring faith and determination of the community's early settlers.
3. Kit Carson County Carousel
RARE ANTIQUE AMUSEMENT
The Kit Carson County Carousel is one of fewer than 150 wooden carousels still in existence out of nearly 2,500 carved in America between 1885 and the 1930s. As the sixth of 74 carousels manufactured by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, it is the only antique carousel in America still having original paint on both the scenery panels and animals. This fully operational three-row, stationary carousel is uniquely preserved as the only surviving menagerie carousel made by PTC.
4. Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
SOLEMN HISTORICAL MEMORIAL
The Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site preserves and commemorates the site of the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre, one of the most tragic events in American frontier history. At this location, U.S. Volunteer Cavalry attacked and destroyed a village of Cheyenne and Arapaho people, resulting in the deaths of numerous Native Americans, many of whom were women, children, and elderly. The site offers visitors a chance to reflect on this dark chapter of American history through interpretive displays and a contemplative atmosphere.
5. Mount Sunflower
HIGHEST POINT ADVENTURE
Mount Sunflower is the highest natural point in Kansas, situated near the Colorado border not far from Kit Carson. Despite its name, it's not actually a mountain but rather a gentle rise in the High Plains that reaches an elevation of 4,039 feet. Visitors can enjoy the quirky monuments placed at the summit and take in the vast panoramic views of the prairie landscape that stretches for miles in all directions.
6. Big Timbers Museum
REGIONAL HISTORY COLLECTION
Big Timbers Museum houses a remarkable collection of artifacts and exhibits dedicated to the history of Prowers County and southeastern Colorado. The museum features displays on Native American culture, pioneer life, agricultural development, and the infamous Dust Bowl period that dramatically impacted the region. Visitors can view antique farm equipment, historic photographs, and domestic items that tell the story of life on the Eastern Plains.
7. Old Town Kit Carson
AUTHENTIC FRONTIER EXPERIENCE
Old Town Kit Carson offers a glimpse into the authentic frontier past of this historic trading post and railroad town. Walking the streets of the downtown area, visitors can imagine the bygone era when Kit Carson was a bustling commercial center and the western terminus for the Union Pacific Railroad. Though quieter now than in its heyday, the town's historic buildings and layout preserve the spirit of the Wild West that defined this resilient community.
8. Kit Carson State Bank
HISTORIC FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
Kit Carson State Bank stands as both a historic landmark and a functioning financial institution in the heart of town. The bank sells local history books about Kit Carson and western Cheyenne County, serving as an unofficial cultural repository for the community. Its continued operation represents the economic resilience of this small prairie town that has adapted to changing industries from cattle shipping to oil production.
9. Kit Carson Campground
PRAIRIE OUTDOOR LODGING
Kit Carson Campground provides visitors with an opportunity to experience the wide-open prairie landscape that defines eastern Colorado. Campers can enjoy stargazing under the vast night sky that stretches uninterrupted across the horizon. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring the historical sites and natural beauty of the surrounding area.
10. Kit Carson Café
AUTHENTIC PRAIRIE DINING
Kit Carson Café offers hearty, homestyle meals that reflect the agricultural heritage of the Eastern Plains. The café serves as a gathering spot for locals and travelers alike, continuing the tradition of hospitality that has been part of the town since its days as a railroad hub. Visitors can enjoy classic American comfort food while soaking in the authentic small-town atmosphere.
11. Burlington Old Town Museum
LIVING HISTORY EXPERIENCE
Burlington Old Town Museum features a recreated turn-of-the-century main street with 21 fully furnished rooms displaying artifacts from the area's pioneering past. Visitors can explore various buildings including a general store, doctor's office, blacksmith shop, and one-room schoolhouse that capture life on the Colorado frontier. The museum offers an immersive historical experience through interactive exhibits and occasional living history demonstrations.
12. Wild West Oil Field Equipment Display
INDUSTRIAL PRAIRIE HERITAGE
The Wild West Oil Field Equipment Display features a collection of vintage heavy equipment that highlights Kit Carson's important connection to the oil industry. Located near the railroad tracks, this open-air exhibit showcases the industrial heritage that has been a vital part of the local economy for generations. Visitors can observe these impressive machines that represent the town's evolution from cattle shipping center to oil production hub.
13. Kit Carson Railroad Car
VINTAGE RAILWAY HISTORY
The Kit Carson Railroad Car is an old train car preserved on the original rails that once made the town a major shipping point between Denver and Kansas City. This historic piece of railroad equipment stands as a reminder of Kit Carson's significant role as a western terminus for the Union Pacific Railroad. Visitors can view this authentic artifact that represents the transportation infrastructure that shaped the development of the American West.
14. Prairie Trails Trading Post
LOCAL GOODS MARKET
Prairie Trails Trading Post offers a selection of locally-made goods, regional crafts, and prairie-inspired souvenirs for visitors to Kit Carson. The trading post continues the commercial tradition of a town that was founded as a frontier trading center in 1838. Shoppers can find unique mementos that reflect the heritage and natural environment of eastern Colorado.
15. Kit Carson County Fair
ANNUAL AGRICULTURAL CELEBRATION
The Kit Carson County Fair is an annual event that celebrates the agricultural heritage and community spirit of the region. Held at the county fairgrounds in Burlington, the fair features livestock competitions, rodeo events, carnival rides, and agricultural exhibits that showcase local farming and ranching traditions. Visitors can experience authentic rural culture through this longstanding celebration that brings together residents from across the county each summer.