Chalk Buttes

South of Ekalaka, the Chalk Buttes are a series of spectacular white sandstone cliffs studded with ponderosa pina. The Buttes shoot up hundreds of feet out of the prairie, and while there are no designated trails, there are endless opportunities for exploring. Following the broad ridgelines will lead you to the top of several buttes, and while there are occasional rocky outcroppings, the hiking is generally straightforward. It’s easy to spend a day exploring the high plateaus - the options are virtually limitless, and the views of the surrounding prairie from all the way up here are truly magical. Photo by Forest Theisen