Discover Cowley County

In Cowley County, you’ll find historic stone arch bridges, parks, museums, trails, and events that offer different focal points for planning your trip. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can first decide whether cultural history, outdoor activities, or a festival will shape your stay.

Historic Stone Arch Bridges

The county has more than 18 historic stone arch bridges. A self-guided tour takes you to 18 of them and offers a specific focus for travelers who want to explore historic structures on their own. The number of bridges on the tour is distinct from the total number in the county.

Access is also important when planning your visit: the road is publicly accessible at most stone arch bridges. However, entering the land around or beneath a bridge requires permission from the landowners. This makes the distinction between a public road and adjacent land clear when planning a visit.

Trails, Parks, and Nature

Island Park has walking trails. Fishing is possible there, alongside a waterfall at the western edge of the park. Winfield’s Island Park is a 20-acre historic park; Chautauquas were held there from 1887 to 1913. Its trails and history give an outdoor visit different points of interest.

The Hike-&-Bike-Trail expansion in Arkansas City offers another way to get active. Opened in 2025, the expansion connects directly to the existing route and forms a loop of about 4.2 miles. It runs from Paris Park Pool to West Lincoln Avenue and on to the Cowley College Sports Complex. The length and route provide guidance when choosing a trail.

Chaplin Nature Center is a 230-acre nature preserve with scenic trails, diverse wildlife, and educational programs year-round. Offerings include guided hikes, seasonal events, and hands-on programs for schools, Scout groups, and families. If you’re planning a guided tour or event, check the dates before you arrive, as programs may change.

Camping is also available at Winfield City Lake. Together with the walking trails at Island Park, the trail expansion in Arkansas City, and the offerings at Chaplin Nature Center, this provides a range of outdoor activities for different interests.

Cultural History and Museums

The Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum explores the history of the historic Cherokee Strip Land Rush and the cultural heritage of Arkansas City. Its exhibits also cover prairie homesteads, the Bland School, and the Bill Baird Pioneer Farm and Garden. If you’d like to bring several historical themes together in one visit, the story here ranges from the Land Rush to school, farm, and garden.

Etzanoa offers another way to explore the region’s history. An archaeologist believes that Etzanoa was a settlement of 20,000 Wichita ancestors in the area of present-day Arkansas City. Individual tours of Etzanoa are led by museum director Georgia Zavala; check tour availability before your trip.

The Burford Theatre was built as a venue for vaudeville, local artistic productions, and film screenings. The buildings were demolished in 1924 to make way for the new Burford Theatre. Thee Chapel tells a different story: it was created from a former oilfield house that later served as a fishing cabin.

The Cambridge Log Cabin is a reconstructed log cabin that stood on the same property for generations. Together with the themes of the Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum and the history of the Burford Theatre, these places can bring different chapters of the local past into focus.

Festivals and Events

The Walnut Valley Festival combines music with an arts and crafts fair. Over four days, it offers four stages and more than 150 hours of music. The fair is juried and features handmade items; vendors may vary. If the festival is a deciding factor for your trip, check the dates and program in advance.

The Arkalalah Festival takes place annually in Arkansas City. The program includes parades, food booths, a carnival, and other events. Dates and programming may also change, so it’s helpful to check the event details before your trip. This can help you distinguish a festival-focused stay from a trip centered on trails, nature, or cultural history.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Winfield, Arkansas City, Harvey County, Phillips County, Riley County, Morris County, Russell County, Douglas County

For the broader travel overview: Kansas.