Allen: River, Trails and Culture in Allen County

Allen and Allen County combine river landscapes, historical insights and trails for active days with a strong local event culture. Those looking for a vacation rental as a base for a variety of activities can combine nature, local history and regional traditions here. The right location depends primarily on whether you want to focus your trip more on walks and bike trails, museums and architecture, or events and water activities.

River Landscapes and Outdoor Experiences

The Neosho River offers opportunities for boating, camping, picnicking and fishing in Allen County. The region’s fields and waterways also shape the natural experience: quail, prairie chickens, doves, ducks, geese and deer find habitat there. Catfish, pike, crappies and bass can be caught in ponds, streams and rivers. The State Lakes also offer opportunities for sailing, water skiing, camping, picnicking and fishing.

For a manageable fishing spot, there is the Franklin Street Park Pond in Humboldt. The body of water covers 1.5 acres and has no boat access. This restriction is just as important for planning your day as the available fishing opportunities. Those who want to combine various activities without a boat will find additional options along rivers, lakes and smaller bodies of water in Allen County.

Trails Between Iola and Humboldt

The Southwind Rail Trail follows the former railroad line of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and connects Iola with Humboldt. The trail is 6.5 miles long, open daily from sunrise to sunset, free and publicly accessible, and wheelchair-accessible. There are parking areas at both ends. The Prairie Spirit Trail is connected to the Southwind Rail Trail between Humboldt and Iola.

An additional connection is provided by the Missouri Pacific Recreational Trail, also called the Mo-Pac Trail. The approximately half-mile-long multi-use trail follows the former route of the Missouri Pacific Railway and connects the Prairie Spirit Trail with the Middle School, High School and downtown Iola. The Lehigh Portland Trails run alongside the site of a former cement plant and quarry on the banks of Elm Creek in Iola. Fishing is permitted in Elm Creek and Quarry Lake at Lehigh Portland State Park. When choosing accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you want to focus more on trails and downtown or on water and nature experiences.

Historic Iola and Regional Culture

In the center of Iola, an eight-block downtown lined with historic buildings extends across shops, restaurants and historic attractions. You can picnic and relax on the central lawn. The tree-lined streets feature numerous historic homes and churches with architectural elements ranging from Victorian to Craftsman styles. An octagonal bandstand built by John Nessell in 1867 and replaced in 1908 also remains in the center of the community and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The General Funston Boyhood Home displays furnishings from Frederick Funston’s youth as well as objects related to his research expeditions and military career. The house has been restored in the style of the Victorian furnishings typical of the 1880s and 1890s. It is open Tuesday through Saturday: from May 1 to September 30, hours are 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.; from October 1 to April 30, hours are 2 to 4 p.m.

At the Old Allen County Jail, you can view a solitary confinement cell and the 1891 cell cage, as well as read graffiti on the walls. Tours are available by appointment or Tuesday through Saturday starting at 1:30 p.m. The Allen County Jail is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more history, there is the self-guided Civil War tour in Humboldt with twelve stops, focusing on the Confederate raid and burning of Humboldt in 1861. The Humboldt Historical Museum includes, among other things, an early jail, a pioneer home, antique farming equipment, a cannon, and hand-carved depictions of horse-drawn wagons and circus wagons by Lewis Howland. The grounds of the Humboldt Historical Society also include a one-room schoolhouse, a replica of the Fairview School originally located east of Humboldt.

Events and Arts

The Bowlus Fine Arts Center opened in the fall of 1964 and developed into a regionally significant venue for guest artists. The program includes performances by artists from the region as well as from the national and international scene. The Mary L. Martin Gallery offers free, publicly accessible exhibitions Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and one hour before Bowlus events.

The Iola Municipal Band has performed free summer concerts since 1871 and performs on Thursday evenings in June and July. Farm City Days takes place on the second weekend of October and includes, among other things, a carnival, a parade, a car show, a quilt show, an artists’ event, arts and crafts, food, craft demonstrations and musical entertainment. The Allen County Fair is a tradition dating back more than one hundred years, featuring concerts, talent contests, 4-H activities, livestock shows, a rodeo, a demolition derby, and tractor and horse parades.

Choose Accommodation Based on Your Travel Plans

A vacation rental in Allen is especially suited to your plans if you want to combine day trips with different focuses. For days spent in nature, the Neosho River, the State Lakes or the trails along Elm Creek can provide the defining theme. When searching, therefore, first consider which experiences will make up the largest part of your trip. For further orientation within the area, Iola is a good option.

Other destinations in the same broader area: Mcpherson County, Wyandotte County, Lane County, Ford County, Harper County, Scott County and Stevens County.

For the broader travel overview: Kansas.