“Great Bend — It’s In Our Nature To Inspire!” If your inspiration comes from biking, hiking, paddling, outdoor photography or birding. . . then Great Bend, KS is your natural wonderland. Fashioned from whole Kansas cloth and deeply held-Midwestern values and motivated by perseverance and resolve, Great Bend is a blend of 19th century pioneer spirit and 21st century vision. It is a city that has made peace with, and thrives by the environment in which they live, while embracing their role as the guardian of one of nature’s most inspiring habitats. You will find rural charm, amazing natural resources, and true Midwestern hospitality combined with all the amenities travelers need and expect for an “inspiring” visitor experience.
Great Bend Services Great Bend Population: 15,652
Lodging
• America’s Best Value Inn 3500 10th Street - (620) 793-8486 • Baltzell Motel 705 10th Street - (620) 792-4395 • Best Western Angus Inn 2920 10th Street - (620) 792-3541 • Comfort Inn 911 Grant Street - (620) 793-9000 • Days Inn 4701 10th Street - (620) 792-8235 • Highland Hotel and Convention Center 3017 10th Street - (620) 792-2431 • Travelers Budget Inn 4200 10th Street - (620) 793-5448 • Travelodge 3200 10th Street - (620) 792-7219
Bike
Great Bend, KS
Wireless Internet Access • Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau office • Great Bend Zoo - Raptor Center
Library
Great Bend Public Library 1409 Williams Street - (620) 792-2409
Emergency 911
Road Conditions 511
Hospitals
• St. Rose Ambulatory and Surgical Hospital 3515 Broadway - (620) 792-2511 • Great Bend Regional Hospital 514 Cleveland Street - (620) 792-8833
Great Bend
CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
3007 10th St., Great Bend, Kansas 67530 www.visitgreatbend.com information@visitgreatbend.com
Natural Environment
Indian names for plants gave an indication of their uses. Rabbit Brush felt scratchy to the skin; the boiled stems and leaves were used to wash itchy areas. A kind of mint called "mad-dog" was used to treat rabies.
As you travel along, watch for grasses and wildflowers undulating in the wind. These are the plants of the Mixed Grass Prairie Region. "Mixed"refers to the blending of tall and short grasses along with wildflowers and herbal plants that were used by Native peoples as sources for food and medicines. Grasses found in this region include Silver Bluestem, Buffalo Grass, Bluestem, Sideoats Grama, and Blue Grama.
The healing methods were carried out with spiritual application and respect for the plant and the patient.
Important Safety Tips
The central Great Plains grassland is a broad and historically shifting ecosystem that fluctuates with climatic changes. Rolling-to-hilly landscapes create a variety of soils that feed and anchor the plants, and long root systems allow them to grow continuously. As a group, prairie grasses are highly adaptable to drought conditions and can quickly take advantage of favorable rainy conditions. Grasslands provide food and shelter for birds such as pheasant, quail, cranes and Meadow Larks. Prairie grasses, herbs and wildflowers heal the earth through re-growth, eliminate pollutants, and prevent soil erosion.
www.VisitGreatBend.com
• Know the operating limitations of your bicycle. • Know your own limitations. • Carry emergency repair equipment. • Wear a helmet.
Be Environmentally Friendly The grasslands of the plains are also home to a variety of plants and flowers. Native peoples were keenly aware of the healing qualities of the unique plants found on the prairie, and used them medicinal purposes. Leaf team from the Alfalfa plant was used to stimulate appetite. Cedar tree leaves and berries were boiled to cure external and internal ailments. Cottonwood bark contains an aspirin-like compound that was used for scurvy.
Climate
The climate of Kansas is very changeable. There are no natural barriers that are a moderating effect on the wind patterns or precipitation. Prevailing winds are generally from the south or southwest, with an average speed of 10-12 miles per hours. Thunderstorms can occur, especially during the hottest parts of the summer.
• Resist the urge to pioneer a new road or trail. • Stay away from wild animals • Obey gate closures and regulatory signs. • Get permission to travel across private land. • Don’t spook livestock
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
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PURPLE:
• Starting point: Hike /Bike Path Parking* Area west of 10th & Patton. • Description: Short distance on US Hwy 56 has traffic but good shoulders. • Points of interest: S.R.C.A. Dragstrip; Barton County Expo and Fairgrounds; B-29 Memorial at Great Bend Municipal Airport; Fuller Park; Fuller Brush Company headquarters. • Distance:13 miles.
PINK:
• Starting point: Barton County Historical Village** parking lot on US Hwy281 south of Great Bend. • Description: Low traffic, no shoulders • Points of interest: antique stores in Ellinwood; Ellinwood Underground Tunnels; Barton County Historical Village. • Distance: 24 miles if straight route on SE20 Rd.; 30 miles if you include southern leg on SE 60 Ave. Additional Routes Pick up a “Scenic Byways” bike route map at the Convention & Visitors Bureau office, 3007 10th Street, Great Bend. (N 38.3613 W -98.7797)
Lake Barton Mountain Bike Trail 2 miles N38.44897 W-98.77652
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Bend. • Description: Paved Arkansas River hike/bike path. • Points of interest: Stone Lake; Barton County Historical Village; Arkansas River. • Distance: 8 miles one way.
Salwest of • Starting point: Hike/Bike Parking* Area 10th & Patton. NE 170TH ST • Description: Low traffic, no shoulders, some hills. • Points of interest: Fuller Brush Company headquarters; S.R.C.A. Dragstrip; Barton County Expo and Fairgrounds; area cemeteries (see map). • Distance: 27.4 miles.
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Francis point: Either Hike/Bike Parking* Area St. • Starting NW 180TH ST Xavier west of 10th & Patton or Barton County Historical Cem.
Village ST parking lot on US Hwy 281 south of Great NW 170TH
• Starting point: Hike/Bike Parking* Area west of 10th and Patton. • Description: Low traffic, some shoulders, couple of hills. • Points of interest: City of Great Bend; Barton Community College; Kansas Wetlands Education Center; Cheyenne Bottoms. • Distance: 18 miles one way.
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NE 90 RD
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NE 160 AVE
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NW 130 AVE
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Montgomery Cem.
NE 110 AVE
NW 80 RD
NW 30 AVE
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NW 100 RD
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SE 100 AVE
Walnut Valley Cem.
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NE 80TH AVE
St. Anthony Cem.
Wilson Cem.
156
Pleasant View Cem.
SE 80 AVE
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Unmarked Cem.
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St. John Cem.
NW 40 AVE
St. Ann's Cem.
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NE 60 AVE
Olivet Cem.
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BARTON RICE ELLSWORTH
— Albert Einstein
• Starting point: Hike/Bike Parking* Area west of 10th & Patton. • Description: Low traffic, no shoulders, couple of hills. • Points of interest: Fuller Brush Company headquarters; S.R.C.A. Dragstrip; Barton County Expo and Fairgrounds; Mennonite church and cemetery; antique stores in Pawnee Rock; Pawnee Rock National Monument. • Distance: 29.6 miles.
Arkansas River Off-Road Bike Route 4.5 Miles N38.34922 W-98.77420
* Hike / Bike parking N38.36162 W-98.83167
Cheyenne Bottom Off-Road Bike Route Variable N38.44879 W-98.73641
** Barton County Historical Society parking N38.35005 W-98.76550
Route Maps and Riding Conditions The paved routes described in this brochure were selected by experienced bicyclists. However, few of the roads chosen have special provisions for cyclists. The routes may be started at any point and traveled in either direction.
The routes follow county roads through flat to gently rolling terrain (elevation varies 400-500 feet). These are two lane roads of narrow- to-medium width, with no shoulders and minimal traffic.
Pictures courtesy of the Great Bend Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.