Buffalo KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Buffalo, Kansas.
1. Buffalo Bill Cultural Center
HISTORIC WESTERN LEGEND
The Buffalo Bill Cultural Center commemorates the famous buffalo hunting contest that gave William F. Cody his legendary nickname. The center features a massive 2.5-times lifesize outdoor sculpture of Buffalo Bill on horseback aiming at a buffalo. Visitors can enjoy the interactive cutouts at the base of the sculpture to pose as Buffalo Bill, Chief Sitting Bull, or Annie Oakley.
2. Maxwell Wildlife Refuge
LARGEST PUBLIC BISON HERD
Maxwell Wildlife Refuge near Canton is home to Kansas's largest public herd of approximately 200 bison. Visitors can observe these majestic animals in their natural prairie habitat. The refuge offers guided tours that allow visitors to get remarkably close to the bison while remaining safe.
3. Lazy Heart D Bison Ranch
MONARCH OF FLINT HILLS
The Lazy Heart D Bison Ranch offers a unique encounter with the American Bison, often called the Monarch of the Flint Hills. Visitors can take guided tours of the ranch to observe these magnificent creatures up close. The ranch provides educational information about bison conservation and the historical significance of these animals to Plains culture.
4. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
NATIVE PRAIRIE ECOSYSTEM
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve encompasses nearly 11,000 acres of wide-open space with beautiful vistas, seasonal wildflowers, and a thriving bison herd. Visitors can explore hiking trails that wind through one of the last remaining tallgrass prairie ecosystems in North America. The preserve offers a glimpse into what the Great Plains looked like before European settlement.
5. Historic Lake Scott State Park
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED OASIS
Historic Lake Scott State Park, listed by National Geographic as one of the country's 50 must-see state parks, features rare white bison that can be viewed from the Lake Scott Ranger station. The park is a stunning oasis of natural springs surrounded by canyons, bluffs, and historic sites. Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, swimming, and hiking while experiencing both natural beauty and historical significance.
6. Smoky Valley Ranch
HISTORIC BISON PRAIRIE
Smoky Valley Ranch near Oakley offers visitors the rare sight of bison roaming freely across the prairie as they did hundreds of years ago. The ranch features excellent hiking trails that are open year-round for nature enthusiasts. Visitors can experience the historical and ecological importance of bison to the Great Plains ecosystem while enjoying spectacular prairie landscapes.
7. Sandsage Bison Range
SOUTHWEST KANSAS WILDLIFE
The Sandsage Bison Range is one of the most popular attractions in southwest Kansas, home to a herd of over 100 buffalo. This expansive prairie offers visitors a chance to see these magnificent animals in a natural setting. The range preserves both the native animals and the unique sandsage prairie ecosystem of the region.
8. Finney County Historical Museum
REGIONAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Finney County Historical Museum in Garden City showcases the rich history of the region, including its connection to buffalo and Plains culture. The museum houses extensive exhibits on pioneer life, Native American history, and the development of southwest Kansas. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays that bring the area's past to life.
9. LCL Buffalo Ranch & Heartland Museum
WORKING RANCH EXPERIENCE
LCL Buffalo Ranch & Heartland Museum is a large working ranch where visitors can observe buffalo roaming the pastures. The museum features an extensive collection of antique farm equipment, vehicles, and area memorabilia on display. Visitors can experience both the contemporary ranching practices and the agricultural heritage of Kansas in one location.
10. Fick Fossil and History Museum
UNIQUE NATURAL HISTORY
The Fick Fossil and History Museum in Oakley is known as one of the most unusual museums in Kansas, featuring fossils and historical artifacts from the region. The museum houses an impressive collection of fossils from the ancient inland sea that once covered Kansas. Visitors can learn about the geological and natural history of the area through the museum's engaging displays.
11. Monument Rocks
NATURAL CHALK PYRAMIDS
Monument Rocks, also known as the Chalk Pyramids, are a series of large chalk formations that rise dramatically from the surrounding plains near Oakley. These natural formations stand up to 70 feet tall and were the first landmark chosen as a National Natural Landmark. Visitors can walk among these impressive structures that were formed millions of years ago when Kansas was covered by a vast inland sea.
12. Prairie Museum of Art and History
HIGH PLAINS HERITAGE
The Prairie Museum of Art and History in Colby celebrates the cultural heritage of the High Plains region. The museum complex includes a 1930s farmstead, a one-room schoolhouse, a sod house, and extensive exhibits on pioneer life. Visitors can experience what life was like for early settlers and learn about the agricultural development that shaped western Kansas.
13. Lee Richardson Zoo
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER
Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City is home to over 300 animals representing more than 100 species from around the world. The zoo features both native Kansas wildlife and exotic species in naturalistic habitats. Visitors can enjoy walking paths, educational programs, and seasonal events while learning about wildlife conservation efforts.
14. Garden of Eden
ECCENTRIC CONCRETE ART
The Garden of Eden in Lucas is a unique folk art environment created by S.P. Dinsmoor, featuring over 200 concrete sculptures depicting religious and political themes. This eccentric attraction includes the creator's limestone cabin and mausoleum where visitors can view his preserved body in a concrete coffin. The Garden of Eden represents one of the most unusual and compelling examples of grassroots art in America.
15. Grassroots Art Center
FOLK ART COLLECTION
The Grassroots Art Center in Lucas showcases the work of self-taught Kansas artists who began creating art later in life using found materials and unique techniques. The center houses an impressive collection of outsider art that represents the creative spirit of the Plains region. Visitors can explore multiple buildings filled with fascinating sculptures, assemblages, and environments that demonstrate remarkable imagination and resourcefulness.