Rising above the plains in Gove County in western Kansas is Monument Rocks, a series of large chalk formations formed some 80 million years ago.

These magnificent large monoliths, rising as high as 70 feet, were created during the Cretaceous Period of geologic history when the area was covered by the Niobrara seaway, which extended from the present day Gulf of Mexico north through Canada.

The Fick Fossil and History Museum shares a building with the community library and allows you to walk through the history of Logan County. The tour starts in the Prehistoric era amid sharks teeth and fossils found locally and ends during the dust storms of the 1930s in Oakley.

The museum is open seven days a week in summer, with shorter hours in winter. There is also a gift shop. Call (785) 672-4839 for hours.

Keystone Gallery is a combination museum art gallery and gift shop. The museum section contains an extensive, scientific collection of local Kansas fossils, including a 20-foot Mosasaur and a 14-foot Xiphactinus. Many other fish, turtle, and bird fossil specimens are also on display.

Our museum also houses a collection of paintings and other artwork by Chuck Bonner and scenic photography by Barbara Shelton.

Keystone Gallery is located between the towns of Oakley and Scott City, Kansas, on US 83 overlooking the Smoky Hill Valley and the Badlands of Kansas region.

This park consists of 1,020 acres and surrounds the 100-acre spring-fed Scott State Fishing Lake and a 160-acre wildlife area west of the park. The park is one of the most historic places in Kansas, with more than 26 archaeological sites in and near the park. The park is an ideal setting for camping, boating, swimming, hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation.

This area offers some of the best places in the world to see the lesser prairie chicken up close. Guided tours on private ranches are offered in March through May. Reservations are required, and you can book through lesser prairie chicken tours.

From a distance, the chalk outcroppings in these badlands were thought to resemble the ancient walled city of Jerusalem. Visitors can sit and enjoy the expansive vistsas of the rock faces, some as high as 100 feet, or hike one of the self-guided trails, or join a ranger-guided hike. The park is open during daylight hours.

Don't miss the opportunity to play a few rounds of golf while you stay with us at Kansas Country Inn. The Oakley Golf Course is a 9-hole course with a rating of 68.0 and a slope rating of 105. It features fast greens and water is in play on 3 holes. Designed by Ken Yokum, the Oakley golf course opened in 1934.

For bowling, food, and fun, visit Oakley's Family Fun Center. They also have live entertainment, pool, and a restaurant and bar. It's the perfect night out for friends or a visit with the whole family for open bowling. 

Call 785-671-3811 for more information.

The Annie Oakley Park is located at 5th Street and Price Avenue and has a fun playground for the family and a cool pool, which is open Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day.

The pool includes four water-slides, a diving board and a children's pool for younger swimmers. The pool is also open for public swimming and private parties on some evenings. Call 785-671-3966 for more information.

Hiking trails in the Smoky Valley Ranch area wind through expansive prairie vistas and chalk bluffs. Hikers and walkers will be inspired by the views of the Smoky Hill River. Trails are open year round and there are two hikes available - a one-mile and a five-mile.

Smoky Valley Ranch is located in southern Logan County, Kansas. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the ranch from Oakley in the north or Scott City to the south.

The hiking and horse trails are located on the west side of the ranch, along County Road 350, between Plains Road and Indian Road. There is no street address for the trailhead.

We recommend that you bring good boots and a water bottle since the terrain can be quite rough.