Last updated: January 10, 2023
Place
Coronado Cross Park
Quick Facts
Location:
Coronado Cross Park is located about a mile and a half east of Fort Dodge at 11666 US-400 Dodge City, KS 67801.
Significance:
Near Coronado Cross Park, eastbound Santa Fe Trail travelers had to choose between the Wet and Dry Routes of the Trail.
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Amenities
1 listed
Parking - Auto
Near here, eastbound trail travelers made a choice between two routes. The Wet Route, also known as the river route, water road, or lower road, followed the north bank of the Arkansas River and provided a sure source of water. The Dry Route, also called the ridge or ridge road, followed an upland course that was shorter in miles than the Wet Route, but could lack water
The Dry Route and the Wet Route merged to the east of Fort Dodge. Westbound travelers next had to decide whether to continue along the north side of the Arkansas River to take the Mountain Route or to cross the river and take the Cimarron Route. Mulberry Creek Crossing was the first option, although crossings farther west were often preferred.
Coronado Cross Park is named for Francisco Vasquez de Coronado.
Site Information
Location (Coronado Cross Park is located about a mile and a half east of Fort Dodge at 11666 US-400 Dodge City, KS 67801.)
At Coronado Cross Park you will see a towering concrete cross and a view of unplowed prairie across to the Arkansas River.