Discover Chase County

Chase County combines the vast prairie of the Flint Hills with waterways, hiking trails, and an unusually rich array of historical insights. The Flint Hills National Scenic Byway runs south along K-177 through Chase County, known as the “Heart of the Flint Hills.” This creates a diverse mix for planning your trip: You can spend an active day on a nature trail, learn about the region’s history in museums and historic buildings, or relax by the water.

Prairie Trails, Lake, and Viewpoints

At the center of Chase County lies the Chase State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area, 1.5 miles west of Cottonwood Falls. The lake has eight fishing jetties, as well as stone and brush structures that improve fishing opportunities. Fish species found there include channel catfish, largemouth bass, suckers, crappie, white bass, and sunfish, among others. The adjacent uplands consist primarily of prairie with native grasses; there are also wildflowers and several small wooded draws, especially below the dam. Camping is permitted at designated sites on the north shore on a “first come, first served” basis.

Those who want to compare different trail lengths while hiking will find several clear options. The 1.75-mile Southwind Nature Trail passes over hills and through valleys, follows a waterway, and crosses prairie grassland; two viewpoints are located along the route. The Bottomland Nature Trail consists of two loop trails forming a figure eight, measuring 0.75 and 0.5 miles. Interpretive panels, benches, a restroom facility, and a small picnic area complement this trail. The Fox Creek Trail is a 6.1-mile loop that runs from the northern end of the Bottomland Nature Trail along Fox Creek to the visitor center.

At Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, nearly 11,000 acres are available to explore. The preserve protects a nationally significant remnant of the once widespread tallgrass prairie ecosystem. There are 40 miles of prairie hiking trails in total; the backcountry trails range from 3.8 to 13 miles long. Another specific hiking option is the 6.5-mile round-trip route to the Scenic Overlook, which is 3.2 miles from the trailhead. Catch-and-release fishing is possible along Fox Creek.

History to See and Experience

The Chase County Courthouse in Cottonwood Falls was completed in 1873 and is the oldest courthouse still in use in Kansas. It was designed by John G. Haskell in the French Renaissance style. Self-guided tours are available; on Saturdays, the Chamber of Commerce provides tour information. At the Chase County Historical Society Museum, you will find artifacts, photographs, and a 1932 Rockne Studebaker connected with the plane crash of Knute Rockne near Bazaar on March 31, 1931. The museum also preserves local materials related to ranching, agriculture, schools, veterans, local newspapers, and public records, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Lower Fox Creek Schoolhouse was completed in May 1882, and the first classes began in September 1884. From May 1 through December 31, the schoolhouse is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except during heavy rain or snow; it can still be viewed through the windows in such weather. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 6, 1974.

Pioneer Bluffs is located on the 12-acre historic Rogler Homestead and conveys the past, present, and future of ranching in the Flint Hills. Educational and experiential programs explore this subject. The grounds can be explored on foot, while interpretive panels outside the buildings provide additional orientation; visits to the buildings are available by appointment. At Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, self-guided tours of the historic ranch buildings from the 1880s feature exhibit panels, cell phone and virtual tours, and podcasts. National Park Service rangers also lead tours of the Spring Hill Ranch house, barn, and outbuildings.

Choose the Right Travel Base

When searching for a vacation rental or vacation home in Chase County, you can first determine your preferred travel pace. Specific trail lengths are available for many nature experiences, making it possible to distinguish between short loops, longer loop trails, and a round-trip route to the viewpoint. Those who want to combine culture and landscapes can alternate days visiting the courthouse, museum, or historic ranch buildings with hikes and a visit to the lake. An interest in regional history also offers several points of connection: Drinkwater & Schriver Mill, also known as Cedar Point Mill, is a historic gristmill dating from 1875 that is preserved as a historic site. Roniger Memorial Museum presents Native American artifacts as well as a collection of arrowheads gathered near Bazaar. In Cottonwood Falls, the River Suite dinner-and-music event on the historic Cottonwood River Bridge serves specialties inspired by the Flint Hills.

For further destination research, you can also explore Elmdale. Other destinations to research include Seward County, Ford County, Wyandotte County, Douglas County, Wilson, Wabaunsee County, and Norton County.

For the broader travel overview: Kansas.