Chase County: Prairie Trails and History

Prairie trails, historic ranch buildings, and a 19th-century school give Chase County its many facets. At Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, you can explore the landscape on trails; historic buildings and museums tell the story of the region. When planning your trip, you can focus on nature experiences, hikes, or cultural sites—and decide whether Chase County is a good fit for your hotel stay.

Prairie and Trails at Tallgrass Preserve

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve protects a nationally significant remnant of the once widespread tallgrass prairie ecosystem. The preserve spans nearly 11,000 acres to explore. Among its distinctive structures is a three-story limestone barn, built by Stephen F. Jones in 1882. You can also take a self-guided tour of the historic ranch buildings dating from the 1880s. Resources include exhibit panels, cell-phone tours and virtual tours, as well as podcasts.

The prairie trails vary considerably in length. The preserve offers a total of 40 miles of hiking trails; its backcountry trails range from 3.8 to 13 miles long. The overlook is 3.2 miles from the trailhead; the full out-and-back route to the Scenic Overlook is 6.5 miles long. The 1.75-mile Southwind Nature Trail winds over hills and through valleys, alongside water, and across prairie grassland. Two overlooks are located along the trail.

The Bottomland Nature Trail consists of two loop trails in a figure-eight shape, 0.75 and 0.5 miles long. Interpretive panels, benches, a restroom facility, and a small picnic area complement the route. The 6.1-mile Fox Creek Trail is a loop: it starts at the northern end of the Bottomland Nature Trail, follows Fox Creek, and leads to the visitor center. This lets you distinguish short loops from longer hikes when planning your walk, based on the stated distances. The NPS trail descriptions for Southwind, Bottomland, and Fox Creek were last updated in 2022; information about the Overlook route and backcountry trails is from 2024.

At Chase State Fishing Lake

Chase State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area is in the center of Chase County, 1.5 miles west of Cottonwood Falls. The surrounding uplands are mostly prairie with native grasses. The area also features a variety of wildflowers and several small wooded hollows, especially below the dam.

The lake has eight fishing piers and numerous stone and woody structures intended to improve fishing opportunities. Fish species found here include channel catfish, largemouth bass, suckers, crappie, white bass, and sunfish. Camping is permitted at designated sites on the north shore on a first-come, first-served basis. This destination offers different ways to spend your time in one place: explore prairie and wooded hollows, fish, or plan an overnight stay in a tent.

Courthouse, Museums, and Ranch History

The Chase County Courthouse in Cottonwood Falls was completed in 1873 and is the oldest courthouse still in use in Kansas. John G. Haskell designed it in the French Renaissance style. The Chase County Historical Society Museum displays artifacts and photographs, as well as a 1932 Studebaker in connection with the Knute Rockne plane crash. Rockne died on March 31, 1931, near Bazaar in Chase County. The museum’s exhibits may change. The Chase County Historical Museum and Library is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; check the hours before your trip.

The Lower Fox Creek Schoolhouse offers another glimpse into school history. The building was completed in May 1882, and the first classes began in September 1884. On September 6, 1974, the schoolhouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is open daily from May 1 to December 31, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., except during heavy rain or snow. At those times, you can still view it through the windows.

Pioneer Bluffs is located on the 12-acre historic Rogler Homestead in Chase County and shares with the public the past, present, and future of ranching in the Flint Hills. Its educational and experiential programs also focus on ranching. You can explore the grounds on foot and use the interpretive panels outside the buildings; visits inside the buildings are available by appointment. The Drinkwater & Schriver Mill, also known as Cedar Point Mill, is a historic grist mill dating from 1875 that is preserved as a historic site.

Plan Your Trip and Hotel Stay

As a prairie route, the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway connects Council Grove and Cassoday via K-177 over 42 miles. In Chase County, the byway heads south on KS Highway 177 through the county known as the “Heart of the Flint Hills.” If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay in Chase County, you can start by deciding what you’d like to focus on: longer prairie trails, nature and fishing, or historic buildings and museums. The stated trail lengths and opening hours can help you organize your days around your interests.

Discover more destinations: Elmdale, Trego County, Johnson, Pratt County, Sherman County, Allen, Grant, Phillips County.

For the main travel overview: Kansas.