Norton County: Parks, Nature and Culture

Norton County offers a range of options to consider when planning a trip: natural destinations at Keith Sebelius Reservoir, recreational activities and culture in Norton, and events throughout the year. If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay in the region, these highlights can help you choose the right activities. As a geographic reference, U.S. Highway 36 runs through both Norton County and the city of Norton. The route is also known as the Pike’s Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway.

Nature at Keith Sebelius Reservoir

Prairie Dog State Park covers 1,150 acres on the shore of Keith Sebelius Reservoir and is located four miles west of Norton. The park is home to a prairie dog colony estimated at 300 animals. Norton Wildlife Area, which covers 6,400 acres, borders the state park directly. The difference in size is clear: the wildlife area covers more land than the 1,150-acre state park.

Prairie Dog State Park also has an upgraded archery range for visitors and four reservable cabins. The Steve Mathes Nature Trail is 1.5 miles long and open for walking year-round. This offers a contrast between a designated trail of a set length and the vast expanses around the reservoir. If you’re planning a walk, you can factor the trail’s length into your day’s plans in advance.

Parks and swimming in Norton

Elmwood Park brings together a variety of recreational facilities, including lighted baseball fields, a skate park and a disc golf course, as well as a 0.5-mile dirt oval racetrack. The grounds also include a fairground and an equestrian facility. The range of options sets the park apart from a simple ball field: Alongside baseball, it offers activities and event spaces for other purposes.

Pool Park offers a different mix of amenities. It has a swimming pool, playgrounds, a lighted baseball field, a lighted basketball court and three lighted tennis courts. The Norton Aquatic Center is a separate facility. It includes a kiddie pool, a swimming pool, a bathhouse and a concession area. The center is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. As it operates seasonally, it’s a good idea to check the hours before visiting.

Culture and history

Norton Downtown Historic District is listed on the National Register and the State Register of Historic Places. It covers 19 acres and includes 43 contributing buildings and 18 noncontributing properties; the district also has a network of brick-paved streets. These details give the historic district a tangible sense of scale. Three life-size Remington statues stand in front of the Norton Public Library complex.

Norton Theatre also combines a contemporary cultural venue with a long history as a building. It opened in 1948, and much of the building has remained largely unchanged to this day, including its distinctive front marquee. The theater has two auditoriums with digital projection. At Norton County Museum, natural and regional history go hand in hand: Exhibits cover prehistoric fossils, one of the largest meteorites to hit North America, and the history of businesses in Norton. Their heyday is placed between the 1940s and 1960s.

Events throughout the year

For more than 40 years, Norton County Arts Council has held an annual arts and crafts fair. Its annual program also includes an art walk, as well as several concerts and theater performances. Norton Area Chamber holds its Annual Car Show on Friday and Saturday of the second weekend in July in downtown Norton. Classic cars, motorcycles and tractors are on display. Norton Home Owned Carnival takes place every July in Elmwood Park. Checking the specific dates before planning your trip can be helpful, as event dates may change.

Discover more travel destinations: Norton, Wichita County, Russell County, Labette, Kingman County, Cloud County, Harvey County, Ness County.

For the main travel overview: Kansas.