Facility Overview

Us-40 & I-70 Parking, officially recognized as the Ogallah Rest Area (Westbound), is a vital state-maintained highway roadside facility serving motorists traveling across Trego County in Western Kansas. Situated directly along the concurrent corridor of Interstate 70 and US Route 40 near the unincorporated community of Ogallah, this open-air surface parking facility provides a dependable 24/7 stopping point along one of the nation\'s primary east-west transcontinental thoroughfares. The facility is arranged with dedicated zones for passenger cars as well as oversized pull-through lanes designed for freight haulers and recreational vehicles. Because it is completely open-air with no overhead barriers or parking structures, the lot offers unlimited vertical clearance, making it suitable for high-profile semi-trucks, commercial rigs, motorhomes, travel trailers, toy haulers, and standard passenger vehicles alike.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned on the high plains of Western Kansas between Hays and WaKeeney, this location is an essential rest stop for regional tourists, outdoor enthusiasts, and interstate commuters. While situated in a tranquil rural setting, the facility provides prompt vehicular access to several notable regional landmarks and towns:

• Cedar Bluff State Park & Reservoir: Located roughly 18 miles south via Trego County roads and K-147, offering premier boating, fishing, camping, and scenic limestone bluffs.
• City of WaKeeney: Situated roughly 9 miles west, known as the \'Christmas City of the High Plains\', featuring historic downtown architecture, the Trego County Courthouse, local dining, and fueling centers.
• Historic Ellis, Kansas: Located approximately 12 miles east along I-70, home to the Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home & Museum, the Ellis Railroad Museum, and local parks.
• Hays, Kansas: Positioned approximately 26 miles to the east, offering regional medical facilities, Fort Hays State University, Sternberg Museum of Natural History, and extensive shopping and lodging amenities.
• Castle Rock Badlands: A renowned geologic landmark and natural chalk spire formation situated a scenic drive to the southwest in the Smoky Hill region.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Navigating into and out of the facility is seamless thanks to dedicated highway decel and accel ramps directly connected to westbound Interstate 70 / US-40. Approaching drivers receive ample highway signage notifying them of upcoming parking, restroom, and rest facilities well before the exit ramp. Entering vehicles follow intuitive directional signage that routes commercial motor vehicles and wide-turn trailers into designated exterior lanes, while passenger sedans, pickup trucks, and minivans proceed toward the centralized parking apron adjacent to the main building. Re-entering westbound I-70 toward Oakley, Colby, and Denver involves a clear, unobstructed acceleration ramp. Eastbound travelers on I-70 can utilize nearby diamond interchanges (such as Exit 135 at Ogallah) to safely reverse course if a stop is needed. While rural Trego County has no municipal rail or fixed-route public bus transit, the location serves as an indispensable highway waypoint for intercity vehicular movement.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• 24/7 Restroom Facilities: Clean, climate-controlled, state-maintained public restrooms open around the clock.
• Unlimited Vertical Clearance: Fully open-air surface lot with no low overhangs or height restrictions for tall rigs or rooftop gear.
• Dedicated Oversized Parking: Designated elongated stalls and pull-through bays engineered specifically for 18-wheelers, motorhomes, and boat trailers.
• ADA Accessible Stalls: Level, designated accessible parking spaces located nearest to paved sidewalks and facility entryways.
• Illuminated Grounds: High-mast security illumination throughout parking bays, pedestrian pathways, and common areas for safe night stops.
• Picnic & Pet Relief Areas: Outdoor green spaces, shaded picnic tables, trash receptacles, and grassy pet exercise spaces for traveling companions.
• Vending & Travel Information: Enclosed information kiosks featuring Kansas road maps, weather updates, and basic vending machines for quick refreshments.
• Cost-Free Parking: Publicly funded transportation stopping point offering complimentary short-term and rest parking with no fees or meters.

Ideal For

• Commercial Truck Drivers: Long-haul freight operators requiring regulated hours-of-service (HOS) rest breaks, sleeper berth downtime, or brief equipment inspections.
• Cross-Country Road Trippers: Families and travelers navigating the long stretch of I-70 across Kansas seeking a safe, clean place to stretch, picnic, and switch drivers.
• RV Campers & Outdoor Enthusiasts: Drivers towing fifth-wheels, campers, and boats en route to Cedar Bluff Reservoir, Wilson Lake, or Colorado mountain destinations.
• Inclement Weather Staging: Motorists needing a secure, lighted turnout to pause driving during sudden High Plains weather events, such as high-wind gusts or winter blizzards.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Parking at the Ogallah Rest Area is complimentary, requiring no permits, parking apps, or gate codes. Overnight stays for genuine driver fatigue and rest are permitted in line with Kansas Department of Transportation guidelines, though long-term continuous vehicle storage and open-flame camping are prohibited. Commercial truck bays tend to fill up rapidly starting in the late afternoon and early evening hours; commercial drivers aiming for a guaranteed overnight pull-through stall should plan to arrive before nightfall. Because Western Kansas weather can shift rapidly, drivers should monitor local forecasts for high crosswinds, severe summer thunderstorms, or icy winter road conditions along the open plains. Lastly, keep pets leashed at all times within marked perimeter grass areas to ensure safety near active highway traffic.