Cimarron National Grassland

Cimarron National Grassland consists of 108,175 acres of Great Plains and is the largest area of public land in the state of Kansas covering portions of Morton and Stevens counties. Established after the Dust Bowl to prevent further soil erosion, the Cimarron National Grassland is dominated by three ecosystems, distinguished primarily by vegetation, soil type, and groundwater availability. Each ecosystem—shortgrass prairie, sandsage prairie, and wooded riparian—requires a different management strategy to ensure healthy ecosystems. The establishment of the Cimarron National Grassland on public land, like other national parks across the United States, is for the enjoyment and benefit of all people.

The present-day Cimarron National Grassland was the territory of the Comanche and other Indian tribes allied to them. The Homestead Act of 1862 brought thousands of settlers from the east out to the prairies of the Great Plains. The settlers’ farming techniques were ill-suited to the sandy prairie soil and, when prolonged drought and the Great Depression hit in the early 1930s, farmers saw their crops disappear in the great brown clouds of the Dust Bowl era. Relief began in 1932 when Congress passed laws allowing the government to purchase land from those who “wanted out”. Under the management of various agencies, and through the hard work of thousands, these purchased lands were rejuvenated. The area was renamed Cimarron National Grassland in June 1960 and are now public lands administered by the USDA Forest Service.

Twenty-three miles of the Santa Fe Trail cut across the grassland. Two of the best known landmarks along the entire Santa Fe Trail are located here. Point of Rocks is a flat-topped outcrop of light gray rock that overlooks the Cimarron River Valley. Middle Spring was one of the rare reliable sources of water in this area along the overland trail. 

Visitors can access the "Sea of Grass" self-guided auto tour that highlights points of interest, scenery, and amenities found on the Grassland. The auto tour is approximately 30 miles long (2-3 hours).

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/psicc/recarea/?recid=12404

https://www.nps.gov/places/cimarron-national-grassland.htm

https://www.kshs.org/natreg/natreg_listings/view/1592

Penner, Marci . Rowe, WenDee. The Kansas Guidebook 2: For Explorers. Mennonite Press, Inc., 2017.