Imagine working as a lawman in a rowdy cow town, where gunfights were common and rebellion prevailed. It wasn’t an easy job for fictional character Marshal Matt Dillon, who chased ruthless characters from town or arrested them on site in the radio and television show “Gunsmoke.”
The Emmy award-winning Western series aired for 20 seasons from 1955 to 1975, providing viewers a glimpse into a fictional drama set in Dodge City, Kansas. Fans of the show can view it through daily reruns, and now they can follow the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail visiting Wild West attractions in Wichita, Hays, Abilene and Dodge City. Each town played a role in the primetime show’s narrative.
Julie Roller, the director of Visit Abilene, was inspired to launch the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail after she discovered a Facebook Gunsmoke Fans group with more than 130,000 members, many of whom were curious about the show’s Kansas connection. In partnership with the other towns’ visitors bureaus, the trail was launched in April 2024.
The story-packed route provides fans with itineraries for each town. Using a digital passport via www.kansasgunsmoketrail.com, participants can check in at each location to earn points and potentially prizes, including a commemorative coin.
The first stop of the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail brings visitors to Wichita, where the television show’s writer, Mary Kathleen Hite, was born in 1917. The city, a cattle drive stop along the Chisholm Trail in the 1870s, was featured in a Season 9 episode.
One of seven Wichita passport stops, the Old Cowtown Museum is a living history museum featuring 54 tour-worthy original and replica buildings, as well as a farm, situated on 23 acres of land. History lovers can stroll the Chisholm Trail through Wichita’s Delano District to admire a historic marker and a clock tower, “Window in Time,” designed with panels detailing scenes from the cattle drive. Additionally, the Mid-America All-Indian Museum is a worthwhile stop to learn more about Native American culture and art. Its gallery showcases the work of artist Blackbear Bosin, who designed the Keeper of the Plains statue located at the confluence of the Little and Big Arkansas Rivers.
“Wichita’s ties to the Old West make it the perfect starting point for the Gunsmoke Trail in Kansas,” says Susie Santo, president and CEO of Visit Wichita. “We’re proud to help fans step into the stories and settings that made ‘Gunsmoke’ legendary, while exploring the authentic history and unique attractions that keep our frontier spirit alive today.”
In Hays, passport users are directed to entertaining and educational points of interest, such as Frontier Park, where a bison herd roams. Some of the eight locations on the Hays itinerary include stepping back in time at the Historic Fort Hays Site and touring the Younger Harness Shop at the Ellis County Historical Society’s museum. Hays was once home to Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok. Each notorious man is represented by a hand-carved limestone sculpture by artist Pete Felton, situated in the town’s historic downtown district, The Bricks.
In season four of “Gunsmoke,” Hickok served as Abilene’s sheriff. Kansas Gunsmoke Trail followers can drive less than two hours east to Abilene to walk in Hickok’s shoes, where the lawman attempted to keep the peace. Afterward, a ride on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad and a glimpse of the Wild West reenactors show at Old Abilene Town set a captivating scene. A self-guided tour of the Dickinson County Heritage Center uncovers the full story of Hickok’s time in Abilene, and its cowboy-themed art installations celebrate the era. The Abilene passport experience consists of 10 stops.
“Abilene is incredibly proud of its Chisholm Trail history, and the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail is another way we can share that story and spotlight our cowboy-themed attractions,” says Roller.
Abilene’s citizens are proud of its cow town legacy, celebrated by its Cowboy Art Trail, enticing road-trippers to pull over for roadside attractions, such as the World’s Largest Spur and Belt Buckle.
“Residents appreciate the attention the trail brings our community and the boost it gives local businesses and attractions,” says Roller. “Anytime we can welcome more visitors to experience Abilene, it’s a win for everyone.”
The phrase, “Get out of Dodge,” spoken by Dillon, referred to the Queen of the Cow towns, Dodge City. At Boot Hill Museum, visitors can experience an immersive journey in cowboy culture. Located on the original Boot Hill Cemetery site, one can tour a museum, the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and watch a simulated gunfight outdoors.
Miss Kitty and her cancan-clad dancers kick up their heels in the Long Branch Variety Show with Saturday performances throughout September.
“It’s honestly one of my favorite parts of being on staff at the museum — watching our team bring history to life for people all over the world,” says Amy Guerrero, assistant director of Boot Hill Museum. “Hearing the laughs, gasps and cheers from the crowd reminds me just how powerful these performances are, not just for entertainment, but for connecting people to a past that still fascinates today.”
Other notable Dodge City passport stops include a historic walking tour and a visit to a 1920s-era Santa Fe Depot. At the Gunfighters Wax Museum, pioneer enthusiasts can take photos of figurine personalities, including the “Gunsmoke” characters Miss Kitty and Festus Hagen.
In June, the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail earned recognition by Midwest Travel Network as 2025 Collaboration of the Year, an award honoring each community’s efforts to invite travelers to explore the Wild West heritage by town.
“This trail isn’t just about travel — it’s about reliving stories that generations grew up with,” says Roller.
Vanessa Whiteside, a native of Wichita, is a freelance travel writer, award-winning author, and owner of the blog www.onedelightfullife.com. Her writing appears in Kansas Travel Guide, AAA Explorer, Midwest Living, Travel Kansas, Kansas Living and Explore Lawrence.[/caption