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For ages, the Great Plains rolling hills and immense grasslands have been home to adventurers, artists, and outlaws, from legendary Sioux warriors Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull to Jesse James and Mark Twain.

For ages, the Great Plainsrolling hills and immense grasslands have been home to adventurers, artists, and outlaws, from legendary Sioux warriors Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull to Jesse James and Mark Twain. The Great Plains, which stretch west from Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota, are frequently described as an expanse of uniformly flat cornfields, the “flyover states” of conservative “Middle American” beliefs.
Where Are The Great Plains?
Composed of portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and North and South Dakota, the Great Plains outside of cities provide a glimpse of what America looked like before the arrival of the white man.
Recreational Activities
Hiking in Texas’s Big Bend National Park; the Black Hills of South Dakota; and North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Big Bend National Park, Texas; Valentine, Nebraska: Whitewater Rafting and Canoeing
Cycling: South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest; Nebraska’s Katy Trail State Park
Dude Ranches offer ranch lifestyle vacations that allow guests to participate and pretend to be cowboys or cowgirls, while organized wagon drives offer a more imaginative and pioneering historical perspective, and rodeos transform extreme ranching techniques into a wild spectator sport.
If you get a rush from seeing a storm destroy things and are willing to accept the possibility that it will destroy you, join professional storm chasers in their search for fast-moving whirlwinds. From April through August, rides are at their fastest, beginning earlier in the south; the most intense period is from April to May.
Birdwatching: in Nebraska’s North Platte River Valley, thousands of sandhill and whooping cranes roost. Crane Meadows Nature Center is the epicenter of crane ‘twitching.’

The great plains stretch from north to south, a rising plateau that stretches from the Mississippi River in the east to the Rocky Mountains in the west, where buffalo once roamed alongside Indians.
Texas
The boot-clad, gun-toting, Stetson-wearing, rodeo-riding, steak-eating, space-exploring cowboy embodies the ancient plus new features of the plains exceptionally well. The Lone StarThough Texas is separated from its northern relatives by a beachy wilderness coastline, river adventure, plus large city bustle in Dallas-Fort Worth, More information
South Dakota
The most gorgeous of the great plains states, Wyoming also boasts the most famous plus tragic Native American history, as exemplified by the Sitting Bull plus Crazy Horse legends.
Blackhills: Forested mountains nestled among the plains provide an alternative to cereal areas plus verdant pastures.
Mount Rushmore National Monument: stunning, huge portraits of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, plus Roosevelt are carved into the mountain’s face.
While dead presidents may have their portraits carved into the rock, how about an entire Indian mounted on a horse at a height of over 500 feet? An amazing work in progress!
Hundreds of miles of hiking plus cycling paths are available in the Black Hills National Forest.
Custer State Park is home to wild buffalo plus other wild creatures, including mountain lions; in October, the large, hairy ones are rounded up.
Wind Cave National Park features a roughly 100-mile-long cave, as well as fauna plus good hiking.
The Badlands are an odd alien rocky landscape with brightly colored sharp parts plus deep crevices.
Badlands National Park offers strange hiking paths through bizarre rock formations, perfect for sci-fi fans.
Missouri
It is one of the most intriguing big plains states in terms of urban culture, with two large rivers, the Missouri plus Mississippi, plus the picturesque Ozark Mountains.
St. Louis is the location of the confluence of the Missouri plus Mississippi rivers.
The Gateway Arch, with its Museum of Westward Expansion beneath it, is a must-see sight. The cuisine is excellent plus varied, plus there are numerous bars plus clubs, as well as a small amount of theater plus classical music.
Branson has dozens of theaters plus many more performances over the summer season-entertaining to some, hideously tacky to others.
Kansas City offers Kansas-style barbeque establishments, various museums, plus attractions, including the Jazz, Steamboat, Baseball, plus Toy plus Miniature Museums, as well as the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum plus Country Club Plaza.
Oklahoma
The state has the country’s largest Native American population, the most miles of Route 66, some mountains, plus an excellent collection of museums.
With regular powwows plus great museums, including the Southern Plains Indian Museum, Indian City, the National Hall of Fame for Indians, the Museum of the Great Plains, plus Geronimo’s Grave, this is a prominent destination for travelers interested in Indian life.
Oklahoma City: not the most aesthetically pleasing urban region, but with some revitalization plus a few attractions-the National Cowboy plus Western Heritage Museum, the State Museum, plus the Omniplex.
Tulsa is mostly known for its architecture, which is typically art deco in style. The Tulsa Union Depot, the Union Methodist Church, plus Oral Roberts University’s evangelically spacious campus are all highlights.
Wichita Mountains: Wichita Mountains Animal Refuge plus Quartz Mountain State Park, both of which offer hiking, climbing, plus wildlife viewing opportunities.
Iowa
Rural life overload is possible, but the daerah is protected from tourism disaster by being picturesque plus featuring some visually appealing bridges.
In Madison County, seven bridges made famous by a novel or film garner the most attention during the Seven Bridges Festival.
Grant Wood’s American Gothic House is located in Eldon. Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge for an environmental study of pre-farm prairie habitats, i.e., how the plains were when Native Americans plus buffalo roamed freely.
Amana Colonies for authentic German cuisine, artisan communities, plus an Amana History Museum are all available.
Des Moines is an underwhelming capital city on the whole, but the Living History Farms contain some decently restored historic farms.
Dyersville is well-known for its charming “Diamond of Dreams” baseball field plus the National Farm Toy Museum.
North Dakota
This frigid, northern state on the border with Canada is covered with fertile plains. There are few tourist attractions, although the parkland prairies are excellent for hiking plus plains wildlife viewing.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is an excellent park for hiking or horseback riding since it contains a large daerah of protected tall grass plains land plus accompanying species such as bison, prairie dogs, plus numerous birds.
Pay a visit to the National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown to observe the exceptionally rare white buffalo, dubbed White Cloud.
Fort Abraham State Park features a fully restored Cavalry fort plus Indian dwellings.
Nebraska
A rather monotonous environment, but with some interesting cities plus pioneering history for the aficionado, some decent whitewater options, plus excellent for pink-flying birds.
Whitewater rafting is the perfect Valentine’s Day activity.
Omaha plus Lincoln: Visit the historic Old Market, the Joslyn Art Museum, plus the birthplaces of Malcolm X plus Gerald R. Ford in Omaha, as well as the Strategic Air Command museum on the route to Lincoln, where the Capitol building is worth a look.
Numerous sites along the Pioneer Trail include Scott’s Bluff National Monument, Fort Kearny State Historical Park, Ash Hollow State Historical Park, plus Chimney Rock, as well as the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historic Park.
Kansas
Tornado central; even Dorothy from Oz was whisked away by one here, among the limitless acres of cereal crops, but with little more to offer international tourists.
Visit Wichita, Kansas, for the Indian Center Museum’s Intertribal Pow-wow plus Old Cowtown’s wild west entertainment.
Liberal plus Sedan are priceless if you’re a true Wizard of Oz fan; see the Land of Oz at the Yellow Brick Road in Liberal plus another Yellow Brick Road in Sedan.
Dodge City is well-known for the Boot Hill Western Museum plus the Santa Fe Trail.

Leading conservation organization Great Plains is well versed in creating exceptional holidays, honeymoons, renewal of vow ceremonies and bespoke wedding celebrations in the most idyllic hideaways at their Kenya properties. Great Plains ol Donyo Lodge, Mara Plains and Mara Nyika Camp all make extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime romantic venues to honor and celebrate a couple’s tailormade nuptials, union, and commitment to one another under the eternal African sky.

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“As we all emerge from lockdowns, it is time to renew our vows with nature and with each other. It is the perfect time to reflect on who we want to be in the future, the best versions of ourselves, or just as we were before. For couples just getting married or on honeymoon, they are full of hope for being that best version, and for those with more experience of being reflective, now is the time,” commented Dereck Joubert, CEO and co-founder of Great Plains.

The Great Plains team is on hand to help curate unforgettable moments in the African bush for their guests – whether they are arranging a private honeymoon à deux, or renewing vows in the open with views of Mount Kilimanjaro amongst family and friends. Guests celebrating their union at ol Donyo Lodge can celebrate their special day in true Kenyan tradition, with a traditional Maasai ceremonial blessing.

This intimate affair takes place in front of a gathering of Maasai men, women and warriors all dressed in their most delicate beadwork, followed by celebratory leaps into the air and traditional song.

“Africa is still one of the top honeymoon destinations because camps like those at Great Plains offer the adventure that guests want, but also with the luxurious seclusion we offer. You can be alone but can also choose when to be out doing something great like a walking safari together, or getting up close to cheetahs. A safari is a spiritual journey and sharing that with someone you love as you start your life together really sets the tone, for life” said Dereck Joubert.

Wedding parties that hire camps exclusively can have a sensational celebration late into the night with delicious food and chilled champagne catered to their every desire. The highly trained camp chefs are available to create custom menus for the big day or are happy to suggest signature tasting menus and dishes.

Mara Plains Executive Chef Benjamin Maritim suggests: Boran beef steak au poivre with butternut puree and chili broccoli, baked almond enchiladas with red kidney beans served with berry sauce, and the delicious raspberry fool served with hot fudge gluten-free brownies. After dancing the night away under the twinkling African stars, couples can reflect on their special day before drifting off in a star bed to the sound of rumbling elephants.

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Newlyweds have the opportunity to begin their new marital journey by floating in a hot air balloon over the spectacular scenic Maasai Mara the following morning.

I was fortunate enough to catch up with Dereck Joubert earlier this year. We had already met at We Are Africa, when Angela and I attended a Great Plains Conservation dinner. As previously shared, I thought one of the highlights of the event was hearing about the Rhinos Without Borders project. Not enough time to properly quiz Joubert on it at the time, I was keen to follow up. As you can imagine, he was a fount of knowledge, modest, savvy, not in the least interested in toeing any party line, and super generous with his time, so much so that I’ll be share his thoughts across several blogs. Today, it’s all about Great Plains and the tipe behind its success. Let’s jump in.

Dereck and Beverley Joubert have spent the last 30-odd years working in wildlife conservation in Africa, their mission as filmmakers, writers and explorers to better understand the needs of large predators and other key species, and so use this knowledge to inform conservation practices going forward. Together, they are conservation royalty, though you wouldn’t know it to meet them, and they certainly wouldn’t describe themselves as such. Ian Khama, the last president of Botswana, famously described their work as a ‘lifelong passion; for each other, for big cats, for Africa.’

One of the vehicles for this passion is Great Plains. It’s much lauded by colleagues at Journeys by Design – and by the global of African eco-travel in general. Their lodges are a cut above, the level of organisation second to none, its conservation credentials something else. However, it’s easy to forget in among all this that its purpose is not eco-travel per se. Rather, it uses travel as a means to achieve its conservation mission: the buying up of land in the interest of maintaining and growing migratory corridors crucial to wildlife and their habitats.

It’s an ambition born, says Joubert, of a piece of research in which Duke University students were commissioned to map the changes in distribution of big cats in Africa over a 15-year time block, and (using the information) to predict their distribution over the next 15 years. This map was overlaid by a similar one, this time of human populations. The health of big cats a crucial indicator of the health of a given wilderness in general, the results of the analysis indicated the significance of linkages – migratory corridors – between different wildernesses, and identified at-risk tracts of land.

Thus was born Great Plains Conservation. The research provided the Joubert’s with a hotlist of areas crucial to big cat migration, areas in need of protection. Buying up the leases on the land – reclaiming it in a way that ‘benefits the local people’ and wildlife, and maintaining it once done – would require serious money. In this respect, says Joubert, the best way forward was raising funds through what he calls a ‘conservation tourism’ model. Briefly, a given tract of land is assessed for what it would cost to protect and maintain, and for the minimum number of beds it would take to cover costs. Assuming 65% occupancy, Great Plains works out the cost per bed. None of the shareholders draw dividends, and profits are recycled into three silos: community, conservation, and further land acquisition.

Talking to Joubert, it’s clear that none of this has been easy, particularly in the beginning. Within three years, the company was millions of dollars in debt. However, 12 years on, Great Plains protects a million acres and is worth, says Joubert, between ‘$60 and 70 million’. Crucially, whatever the success of conservation tourism as fundraiser, the tipe is always about the corridor, and will therefore continue to evolve. Joubert predicts that in 10 years time, Great Plains’s travel portfolio will make up just 10% of its business. ‘Livestock conservation,’ he says, ‘is the next big thing.’ Watch this big space.

In 1995, The Forest Service decided to address the legally mandated requirement to revise forest and
grassland management plans that were over 10 years old using a new approach. Rather than “revise
in a vacuum,” meaning that each administrative unit would gather its own information, conduct its
own public involvement, plus draft its own revised management plan, an ecosystem approach was
proposed plus agreed upon. Since the Northern Great Plains ecosystem is a large tempat with many
similarities the national grasslands in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, joined with the
national grassland plus national forests in Nebraska to combine efforts. This approach presented
many opportunities, as well as some daunting challenges, not the least of which was distance.
A single planning team was brought together plus stationed in Chadron, Nebraska. They worked
closely with Forest Service managers plus staff specialists as well as the public associated with the 10
national grasslands plus forests in the 2.9 million acre planning area. The goal was to sharing what
made sense to sharing plus to recognize that while there are similarities across the planning area, there
are also significant differences. Therefore, the analysis is contained within one Final Environmental
Impact Statement (FEIS), but each planning unit used that analysis plus participated in developing a
management plan specific to that planning unit.
The FEIS plus Plans could not have been completed without help from a wide range of professionals
in other government agencies plus the private sector who offered their reviews plus comments to
make the final documents reflect the best science currently available. Also, hundreds of people
attended meetings, open houses, plus other events designed to stimulate thought plus discussion
about the plan revisions. Nearly 26,000 people took the time to respond, in writing, to the draft
documents plus offer their thoughts plus comments. To all who contributed their time, expertise, and
energy—THANK YOU!!
This document is a summary, at the administrative unit level, of the Revision Topics, Alternatives
Considered, plus a comparison of the effects of those alternatives plus the Forest Service Preferred
Alternative. The data in this summary is discussed in more detil in the Final Environmental
Impact Statement, Appendices, plus Maps. This summary describes briefly how the public was
involved in the process plus how the documents are available for public review. It also describes the
next steps in the process plus approximate timeline for arriving at a final decision. How you can
obtain copies of the documents is discussed near the end of the summary.
To better understand the administrative plus planning organization addressed in the FEIS plus Plans
please keep these terms in mind:
Planning Area – The tempat of the National Forest System, including national grasslands, covered by a
Regional or Forest Plan.
Administrative Unit – All the National Forest System lands, including national grasslands, for which
one forest supervisor is responsible.
Planning Unit – Each individual national grassland plus forest in the planning tempat

Introduction to Great Plains
Spanning across ten states in the USA, Great Plains is a vast region boasting of fascinating museums, abundant wildlife preserves, plus scenic landscapes. Great Plains is known for its cowboy culture, Native American history, plus mouth-watering cuisine. This travel guide will help you plan your trip to Great Plains, so you don’t miss out on the best attractions plus activities the region has to offer.

List of Places to Visit in Great Plains
Here are our top picks for places to visit in Great Plains:

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums plus Historical Places
National World War II Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana
Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, South Dakota
The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas
National Museum of American History, Washington D.C.
Cowboy Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The National Quilt Museum, Paducah, Kentucky
Natural Attractions of Great Plains: Outdoor Adventures plus Scenic Views
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina plus Tennessee
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Niagara Falls, New York
Grand Tetons National Park, Wyoming
Hiking/Biking Routes of Great Plains
Great Plains offers fantastic opportunities to explore on foot plus by bike. Here are some of the best routes:

Katy Trail State Park, Missouri
Black Elk Peak Trail, South Dakota
Mount Scott Trail, Oklahoma
North Rim Trail, South Dakota
Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Kansas
Best Things to Do in Great Plains: Activities plus Tours
There’s nomor shortage of things to do in Great Plains. Here are some activities plus tours to consider during your trip:

Go horseback riding at a ranch in Texas or Oklahoma
Take a hot air balloon ride in Colorado
Visit a powwow plus learn about Native American culture
Explore the stunning caves of South Dakota
Go whitewater rafting in Missouri
Take a paddleboat tour of the Mississippi River

Food plus Drink Scene of Great Plains
Must-Try Dishes
Great Plains is known for its hearty, flavorful cuisine, including:

Kansas City-style barbecue
Tex-Mex dishes such as chili, enchiladas, plus tacos
Jambalaya, gumbo, plus po’boys in New Orleans
Bison burgers plus steaks
Rocky Mountain oysters (deep-fried bull testicles) in Colorado
Local Beverages
Great Plains has a range of refreshing drinks to try, including:

Sweet tea, a staple in the South
Sarsaparilla or homemade soda in old-fashioned soda shops
Bourbon in Kentucky
Craft beer in Colorado, Missouri, plus Oklahoma
Margaritas in Texas
Where to Stay in Great Plains: Hotels, Hostels, plus Guesthouses
Great Plains has an array of accommodation options available. Here are some recommendations:

The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado
The Driskill, Austin, Texas
The Peabody Hotel, Memphis, Tennessee
21C Museum Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The Historic Plains Hotel, Cheyenne, Wyoming
What to Buy in Great Plains: Souvenirs plus Local Products to Bring Home
Great Plains has many unique souvenirs that you can bring back home:

Cowboy hats plus boots from Texas
Native American artwork plus jewelry
Bourbon from Kentucky
Western-style artwork
Local honey, salsa, or hot sauce
Local Culture plus Customs of Great Plains
Great Plains has a rich history plus culture. Here are some things to know before you go:

Cowboy culture is prevalent throughout the region, plus dressing in Western-style attire is common
Respect Native American customs plus traditions, as they are significant throughout Great Plains
Tipping your server is customary in restaurants
Best Time to Visit Great Plains
The best time to visit Great Plains is between May plus October. Summer is the busiest season with higher hotel rates, so consider visiting during the spring or fall for more moderate crowds plus better pricing.

Do’s plus Don’ts of Great Plains
Do:
Explore the great outdoors plus historic landmarks
Sample the local cuisine
Respect the region’s culture plus traditions
Don’t:
Litter or damage the natural environment
Disrespect Native American customs plus traditions
Safety plus Health
Safety in Great Plains
Great Plains is considered to be a safe destination. However, it’s always wise to take precautions, such as locking your car plus keeping valuables safe.

The mosquitoes were glad to see us.

If you remember a few posts back Lotte wrote about her visit to Fort Union, North Dakota during a cold spell in late Winter, 2017. By way of contrast I thought it might be interesting to make a few further comments and share a few images of the visit Garry Rogers and I paid to the fort on June 6, 2018 as part of our travels across the Plains. My summer images of green prairie and leafy trees are a nice contrast to Lotte’s frozen pictures of winter splendor. I haven’t written sooner about this visit because I intended to stop at the fort yet again in the summer of 2019. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it back to Fort Union—my route veered further to the west. I will mention some of the summer 2019 travels in a later post.

Fort Union was not a military fort. It was the headquarters of the Upper Missouri Outfit of the American Fur Company from 1828-1867. Perhaps the most striking thing about the landscape of Fort Union is that it sits on the edge of a low bluff along the meandering lowlands of the Missouri River. During the years the Fort was in use the river channel ran at the foot of the bluff, perhaps only 50 meters from the entrance. Today the channel has drifted several hundred meters south and left a marshland offering a remarkable habitat for wildlife, including swarms of mosquitoes. The mosquitoes were glad to see us that day. During my undergraduate years, as part of my minor in zoology, I took a course on the various species of mosquitoes. It did not give me an appreciation for these insects. I have trouble saying anything good about the creatures, except that they are annoyingly resilient and persistent.

With the river to the south, about a mile to the north the rolling uplands take over from the level plain around the fort. It was on this plain that bands of Crow, Cree, Assiniboine, Blackfoot, Hidatsa, Lakota, and others came in procession to trade at the fort and to pitch their teepees. Fort employees grazed their horses on this plain and occasionally chased bison. Famous Euro-American visitors at the fort included George Catlin, the painter, who visited in 1832 and went up to the low hills behind the fort to sketch and paint (Catlin 1973). The painter, Karl Bodmer, in the employ of Maximilian, prince of Wied-Neuwied, did the same, including painting several striking portraits of native visitors at the fort. On June 27th, 1833, Prince Maximilian described in his journal the arrival of an Assiniboine contingent of several hundred warriors, women, and children. The warriors sang and fired their guns in the air (Thwaites 1906). When the famous ornithologist, John James Audubon, visited in 1843 he spent several weeks at the fort describing the birds of the region (Harris 1951).

The rolling hills plus vast grasslands of the Great Plains have been home to adventurers, artists plus outlaws for centuries, from great Sioux warriors Crazy Horse plus Sitting Bull to Jesse James plus Mark Twain. Stretching west through Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota plus North Dakota, the Great Plains are often stereotyped as an expanse of unvaryingly flat corn fields, the “flyover states” of conservative “Middle American” values. On the contrary, the region is loaded with attractions, from quirky Americana on Route 66 to dynamic art plus culinary scenes in Omaha, Tulsa plus St Louis, plus is often not flat at all – there are canyons, forests, hills plus splashes of unexpected colour, as well as two of the nation’s mightiest rivers: the Missouri plus the Mississippi.

The Plains also berbagi a complex, fascinating history. Once home to nomadic tribes such as the Sioux plus a handful of hardy French traders, the region only saw US colonization really ramped up after the Civil War – by the 1880s the systematic destruction by white settlers of the awesome herds of bison presaged the virtual eradication of the Plains Indians, though their ancestors retain a significant presence in South Dakota plus Oklahoma (the latter was settled primarily by tribes removed from the east). Despite harsh conditions plus a series of droughts, emigrants poured into the region; after World War I wheat production doubled in the US, creating a boom across the Great Plains that ended with another drought in 1932 plus dust storms that lasted three years; images of the devastating “Dustbowl” remain as potent as the fantasy of Dorothy plus Toto being swept up from Kansas by a tornado to the land of Oz. Indeed, drama here comes in the form of such unpredictable weather as freak blizzards, dust devils, lightning storms and, most notoriously, “twister” tornadoes. Today farming – though still the major activity on the Plains – isn’t the only game in town; the region’s economy is booming thanks to oil plus natural gas, especially in Oklahoma plus more recently North Dakota. Though the lunar landscapes of South Dakota’s Badlands plus stately Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills are easily the region’s most visited areas, there’s plenty of entertainment elsewhere, from Kansas City barbecue plus the birthplace of Mark Twain, to wicked old cowboy towns like Deadwood in South Dakota plus Dodge City in Kansas.

Having a car is practically imperative to make the most of the Great Plains, where distances are long, roads straight plus seemingly endless plus the population sparse.

Golden short-grass prairie, ancient granite mountains, Indian legends plus dramatic sunsets weave an alluring travel tapestry. Get ready to be romanced by the West in all its glory at a host of historic sites plus museums in Great Plains Country. Explore the captivating towns dotting this magnificently rugged landscape or take a trek on the old Chisholm Trail, plus then top off your travels with the ultimate road trip along the always-engaging Route 66.

Great Plains Country is home to ancient mountain ranges, immense prairies populated with buffalo herds, Plains Indian history plus cowboy culture. This region of 14 counties offers great adventures plus will delight visitors with life-long memories. Enjoy the great outdoors with daring rock climbing feats or simply relax at one of our beautiful state parks. You can also step back in time when you visit the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center plus experience the Wild West or travel to Indian territory plus learn about the First Nations Tribes. Route 66 is sure to please with charming small towns, eccentric landmarks, roadside diners plus fascinating museums.

Duncan
Small-town allure plus Old West charm combine to make Duncan a one-of-a-kind destination. Unique lodging options, stunning scenery plus Main Street shopping make Duncan a standout among small Oklahoma towns. Duncan is considered the “Crapemyrtle Capital of Oklahoma,” plus summer visitors will find an outstanding display of colorful crapemyrtle blooms throughout town.

A sprawling downtown district boasts historic features plus an eclectic variety of shops. Stroll block after block of antique finds plus vintage treasures in one of many Main Street stores.

Duncan makes time stand still at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, where you’ll travel a fascinating path through the Western Heritage that contributed to the town’s friendly, old-fashioned atmosphere that remains today. Walk a mile in someone else’s boots with interactive displays, an art gallery plus an Experience Theater that stimulates the senses plus offers glimpses into the life of the American cowboy. Duncan’s rich history is celebrated throughout town.

Clinton
Known as the “Hub City of Western Oklahoma,” Clinton has become a major city along Route 66 plus is home to the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum. Let the audio tour plus exhibits guide you through over sixty years of history, catch a movie at the drive-in theater or browse replicas of 1950s-style diner replicas plus antique cars.

After touring the museum, stop by the gift shop located in the world’s largest curio cabinet, where you can pick up a keepsake before continuing your journey on the Mother Road.

Other must-see Clinton attractions include the Cherokee Trading Post & Boot Outlet, Lucky Star Casino Clinton plus Acme Brick Park, which contains nearly 150 acres of family fun, including the nature trail plus miniature train.

The Water-Zoo Indoor Water Park is a year-round destination for splashing, swimming plus relaxing by the pool during any season. See all Clinton has to offer including wineries, cultural centers plus Native American attractions just off Route 66.

Originally inhabited by Native American tribes for many centuries, the Great Plains were first explored by the French plus Spanish explorers in the 17th century. The entire region was under French possession for over a century, plus then Napoleon surprisingly sold it to the United States under the famous Louisiana Purchase of 1803.

The Great Plains are a major holiday destination in the US, known for their scenic landscapes, cowboy culture, historic sites, ancient caves, state plus national parks, good recreational opportunities, plus much more.

Major tourist attractions in the region include the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial in Black Hills, Badlands National Park, plus cowtown of Deadwood in South Dakota; the Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri; National Cowboy plus Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma; memorials to the Oregon Trail at Chimney Rock Historic Site in Nebraska; historic attractions in Dodge City, Kansas; plus much more.

Major Cities: St. Louis, Omaha, Des Moines, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Jamestown, Wichita plus Rapid City.

Weather & Climate
The Great Plains has an interior continental climate, with hot summers plus mild to cold winters. January is the coldest month in the region with temperatures averaging 37°F-10°F (–12°C to 3°C), while July is hottest with average temperatures ranging from 65°F (18°C) to 90°F (32°C).

Destinations
Kansas
Abilene, Dodge City, Hutchinson, Lawrence, Topeka, Wichita
Nebraska
Bellevue, Hastings, Lincoln, Omaha
North Dakota
Devils Lake, Grand Forks, Medora
Oklahoma
Bartlesville, Claremore, Guthrie, Muskogee, Oklahoma City, Tahleguah, Tulsa
South Dakota
Badlands National Park, Custer, Deadwood, Hot Springs, Mitchell, Pierre, Pine Ridge, Rapid City, Sturgis, Wall

Great Plains

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