The Great Plains are a broad plateau of grasslands east of the Rocky Mountains, covering parts of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming. The name reflects their expansive flat to rolling prairies and open skies. Definitions vary, but the US portion spans roughly 1.1 to 2.0 million square kilometers with low population density and a handful of mid sized cities on the edges. English is the dominant language, with Native languages present in tribal communities and Spanish widely spoken in the south. It is not a single political unit, so governance, gaming laws and regulations vary by state and tribal nation. Some states permit casinos, including tribal gaming. Military presence includes air force bases, missile fields in parts of the northern Plains and training ranges.

History
For millennia, the Plains were a mosaic of Indigenous nations whose livelihoods were tied to bison, pronghorn, fire managed grasslands and river valleys. Agricultural peoples along rivers grew maize, beans and squash, while mobile horse cultures later expanded hunting ranges and trade. The arrival of horses in the 17th to 18th centuries transformed mobility and warfare, shaping the rise of Plains cultures such as Lakota, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, Blackfeet, Pawnee, Arapaho, Crow and many others. Trade networks connected the Plains to the Southwest, the Mississippi Valley and the Northern Rockies.
Spanish, then French and American incursions mapped and claimed the region, with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and the Lewis and Clark expedition marking a new era of exploration. Fur trading posts and army forts anchored the first non Native presence. In the mid 19th century, wagon roads like the Oregon Trail, Santa Fe Trail and Smoky Hill Trail funneled migrants west. Railroad building after the Civil War and the Homestead Act of 1862 accelerated settlement, fencing and plowing of the prairie.
Conflict defined the late 19th century on the Plains. US Army campaigns and settler expansion clashed with Native nations defending homelands, culminating in episodes such as Sand Creek, Washita, Little Bighorn and the tragedy at Wounded Knee. Treaties were made and broken, reservations were imposed, and bison herds were driven to near extinction, collapsing Indigenous economies. Simultaneously, cattle drives and the open range ranching era flourished, followed by barbed wire fencing, windmills and the rise of wheat farming supported by new plows and hardy crop varieties.
The 20th century brought booms and busts. World War I wheat demand expanded cultivation into marginal lands, setting the stage for the Dust Bowl of the 1930s when drought, heat and exposed soils spawned dust storms that displaced hundreds of thousands. New Deal programs, soil conservation, shelterbelts and agronomy research slowly stabilized farms. Postwar decades saw mechanization, irrigation tapping the Ogallala Aquifer, consolidation of farms and growth of feedlots, meatpacking and energy extraction. Wind power surged in the 21st century, and demographic trends show persistent rural depopulation in many counties alongside growth in regional hubs and on tribal lands asserting cultural and economic renewal.
Today the Great Plains balance working landscapes with conservation of remaining prairies, bison reintroduction, tribal sovereignty and diversified economies that include agriculture, oil and gas, wind, manufacturing, health care and education. The region also reckons with water stress, wildfire, extreme weather and the legacy of historical dispossession.

Industry
The Plains are one of the world’s breadbaskets, producing wheat, corn, sorghum and soy, plus cattle, hogs and dairy. Energy is pivotal: oil and gas fields in the Permian fringe and Anadarko and Williston basins, plus growing wind power corridors in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and the Dakotas. Meatpacking and food processing are major employers. Well known companies with roots or major operations include Koch Industries in Wichita, Garmin in Olathe, Pizza Hut founded in Wichita, Conoco origins in Oklahoma and numerous regional agribusiness cooperatives. Records include leading state outputs of hard red winter wheat, beef on feed, wind generation capacity and ethanol production. Manufacturing clusters produce machinery, aircraft components in Kansas and chemicals and plastics tied to hydrocarbons.

Flora and fauna
Ecosystems range from tallgrass in the east to mixed grass and shortgrass steppe in the arid west. Signature species include American bison, pronghorn, elk in some areas, mule and white tailed deer, coyotes, swift foxes, prairie dogs, badgers, rattlesnakes and raptors. Notable birds include greater and lesser prairie chickens, ferruginous hawks, burrowing owls and migrating whooping cranes along key flyways. The black footed ferret is a conservation icon. Native plants include big bluestem, switchgrass, prairie dropseed and buffalo grass. Export of wildlife and artifacts is regulated. Livestock are ubiquitous, especially cattle, with working ranch dogs and horses common.

Interesting facts
The Dust Bowl reshaped US conservation policy. Bison herds rebounded from near extinction to curated wild and tribal herds. The Ogallala Aquifer underlies much of the High Plains and sustains irrigation. Films like Dances with Wolves and Nebraska showcase Plains landscapes. Notables include Dwight Eisenhower from Kansas, Warren Buffett from Nebraska and Amelia Earhart from Kansas. Storm research in Tornado Alley has produced iconic images and safety advances.

Clothing
Dress is casual and practical. In summer wear breathable layers, sun hat and sturdy shoes. In shoulder seasons bring a windproof jacket. In winter, pack insulated outerwear for subfreezing temps and wind. Shorts and open shoulders are common in hot months, and hats are culturally ubiquitous.

Tourism
Plan road trips around distance and weather. A classic loop needs 7 to 14 days to sample multiple states, national grasslands, state parks and historic sites. Signature experiences include sunrise over tallgrass, bison herds in national parks, prairie chicken leks at dawn in spring, storm watching with trained guides, ranch stays, powwows, fossil beds and star drenched night skies. Book permits or tours for sensitive wildlife viewing and respect tribal and private lands. Summer brings heat and storms, spring wildflowers and leks, autumn golden grasses and fewer crowds, winter stark beauty and blizzards.

Types of tourism
Nature and wildlife watching, road tripping and scenic byways, cultural heritage and museums, ranch and farm stays, paleontology and fossil sites, birding, photography, rodeos and state fairs, dark sky astronomy, storm chasing with accredited operators.

Tourist attractions
– Badlands National Park, South Dakota – eroded buttes, bison and fossil beds
– Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota – badlands, bison, wild horses
– Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Kansas – remnant prairie and ranch history
– Sandhills, Nebraska – vast grass stabilized dunes and wildlife refuges
– Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas – striking canyonland of the High Plains
– Caprock Canyons State Park, Texas – red canyons and free roaming bison
– Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana – historic site and memorials
– Niobrara National Scenic River, Nebraska – waterfalls, paddling and prairies
– Flint Hills Scenic Byway, Kansas – sweeping tallgrass vistas
– National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City – Western art and history

Non tourist sights
– Ogallala Aquifer irrigation pivots – iconic green circles seen from the road
– Grain elevators and railyards – prairie skyscrapers of farm towns
– Wind farms – utility scale turbines along ridges and plains
– Feedlots and stockyards – cattle finishing operations
– Oilfields and pumpjacks – energy infrastructure on the southern and northern Plains

Local cuisine
Expect barbecue traditions from Kansas City burnt ends to Texas brisket, chicken fried steak, chili, steakhouse beef, bison burgers and frybread tacos at Native events. Czech and German influences bring kolaches and sausages. Local beer, whiskey and regional wines appear on menus. Dining follows typical US hours, breakfast to dinner, with tips of 15 to 20 percent. Food safety is high, but in remote areas carry snacks and water.

Why visit
For the scale and silence of the prairie, living Native cultures, working ranches, big weather and some of America’s purest horizons. The Great Plains reward patience with wildlife encounters, night skies and deep history.

Safety for tourists
Risks are mostly environmental. In spring and summer, severe thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes can occur. In winter, blizzards and black ice are hazards. Keep distance from bison and other wildlife and watch for rattlesnakes in warm months. Ticks can transmit disease, so use repellent. Crime rates in rural areas are generally low, with typical urban precautions in cities. Respect private and tribal lands. For emergencies dial 911.

Tourist infrastructure level
Service quality varies from basic in tiny towns to full service in regional hubs. Chain motels, campgrounds and RV parks are common. Restaurants range from diners and barbecue joints to refined steakhouses. English is universally spoken, with Spanish widely understood in the south.

Entry rules
US entry rules apply. Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries may use ESTA. Others need a visa in advance. US customs regulates agricultural imports and prohibits certain foods and wildlife products. Carry identification and comply with TSA and CBP procedures.

Transport
Fly into hubs like Denver, Dallas Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Omaha or Rapid City. Intercity travel works best by car. Amtrak lines cross parts of the Plains and long distance buses serve corridors, but service is sparse. Rideshare and taxis operate in cities and larger towns.

Automobile
Renting a car is straightforward at airports and cities. Highways are excellent, with speed limits often 70 to 80 mph in rural areas. No bribe culture exists. DUI laws are strict at 0.08 BAC or lower and enforcement is active. Parking is plentiful and usually free outside city centers. Unpaved roads can turn to gumbo when wet. In winter consider all season or winter capable tires. Dashcams are legal. A high clearance vehicle is useful on gravel, but any reliable sedan handles paved routes.

Noise regulations
City ordinances typically set quiet hours around 22:00 to 7:00. Campgrounds enforce posted quiet times. Respect local rules and neighbors.

Daily tourist budget
Budget travelers can manage on 80 to 120 USD per day with motels and diners. Mid range runs 150 to 250 USD. Upscale ranch stays or boutique lodges can exceed 300 USD. All amounts are in the local currency, which is USD.

What is discouraged or prohibited
Do not trespass on private or tribal lands without permission. Do not approach bison or collect artifacts or fossils. Drone use is restricted in national and state parks and near wildlife and infrastructure. Wildfire bans may prohibit open flames. Firearms and alcohol carry rules vary by state.

Climate
The climate is continental, drier toward the west. Expect hot summers, cold winters, big temperature swings and strong winds. Spring brings green up and storms, autumn clear skies and mild days. The best times for travel are April to June and September to October, with winter rewarding prepared travelers.

Tips for travelers
Carry extra water, fuel and a spare tire on remote drives. Check weather and road conditions daily. Pack sun protection, insect repellent and a first aid kit. Keep flexible plans for storm days. Learn basic tornado safety. Respect cultural protocols at tribal events and ask before photographing people.