Search for Buffalo Scenic Back Road
Even if you can’t find Ted Turner’s 2,000 head of buffalo on the Z Bar Ranch, the beautiful Red Hills scenery is worth the drive. And sometimes you will see buffalo in herds of 20 to 150. Your drive begins at Hardtner. Go 19 miles west on Hackberry (look for buffalo after about 17 miles), then 4¾ miles north on Aetna. From here, you have two options in your buffalo search: (1) on paved roads, continue 15 miles north on Aetna to U.S. 160; or (2) on unpaved roads, go 10¾ miles east on Cottage Creek, then 11 miles north on Sandy Creek (becomes Lake City) to U.S. 160. You will cross cattle guards, so cattle and buffalo may be on the roads. If your search turns up empty, the drive through open prairie is nonetheless fantastic.