Cottonwood Falls, Kansas
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
You’d be hard-pressed to find a quainter slice of Americana than the small town of Cottonwood Falls in East Central Kansas. The town was first settled in 1854 by cattle ranchers seeking to utilize the Cottonwood River as a water source. Today, with a population of approximately 900, it attracts visitors from all over during the summer months looking to take in its historical architecture, antique selection, art galleries, local boutique shopping, and more. RV travelers will also enjoy its close proximity to lakes and rivers as well as the rolling Flint Hills.
As you travel through Kansas on your camping excursion, take a pit stop in this charming small town and connect with the welcoming locals. You’ll be glad you did. Here is your guide to making the most out of your visit to Cottonwood Falls.
The most visually striking and most visited attraction in town is the Chase County Courthouse. Constructed in 1872, the courthouse was built to model the architecture of the French Renaissance. Its stately clock tower and crimson roof are iconic and prominently featured at the end of Broadway Street.
Today, the courthouse is still as busy as ever. In fact, it’s the longest-used courthouse west of the Mississippi River. Cottonwood Falls serves as the county seat for Chase County, so this historical building continues to serve an important role in the community. Visitors are allowed to climb to the third floor for picturesque views of the town on weekdays from 10 AM - 2 PM.
One of the ‘Eight Wonders of Kansas,’ the Flint Hills Scenic Byway is 47 miles of beautiful views of rolling prairie hills. Cottonwood Falls is positioned smack dab in the middle of the byway and is one of the hillier areas that provides great panoramic views of the area. To explore, hop on Kansas Highway 177 and head north or south.
Along the way, you’ll encounter a number of historic sites and nature preserves for great educational opportunities and wildlife viewing. The byway is short enough that you can explore the whole route during the day and still return to the Cottonwood Falls area for the evening.
The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is just a few miles north of town and is a necessary visit. The preserve protects a small portion of what was once an enormous prairie teeming with tens of thousands of bison. A number of these large beasts still roam the land naturally and their numbers are on the rise.
Take a guided tour with a ranger to learn all about the importance of the prairie in the ecosystem and all of the animals that depend on it. There are also more than 40 miles of trails with some scenic overlooks and ample opportunity to view bison. Keep a respectful distance though—these massive animals can be dangerous if disturbed.
A little more than a mile west of town, the Chase State Fishing Lake is loved by locals and visitors alike. The small 109-acre lake offers great fishing for catfish, bass, bluegill, crappie, and the occasional walleye. Make sure you buy a Kansas fishing license before you wet your line though.
There are also 383 acres of wildlife area around the lake that provide visitors with some enjoyable scenery. In the spring, wildflowers are abundant and beautiful accents along the walking paths. In addition, a scenic waterfall can also be found at the east end of the park.
Especially in the summertime, visitors love visiting Cottonwood Falls for the local art and antique scene along Broadway Street. The concentration of older farmhouses in the area is a great source for antique furniture and Americana memorabilia for local shops. The most visited is Tallgrass Antiques; they have a wide selection of turn of the century items for you to bring some unique charm to your home. Stop in at the Flint Hills Gallery too and enjoy some great work from local artists that features the local scenery and way of life.
As the town’s social hub, Broadway Street is also the primary location for events. Look for live music or local artisan markets. Make your way to the old stone bridge at the end of the street for some great photos at sunset as well.
On the eastern edge of town, Swope Park is the only campground within downtown Cottonwood Falls. It’s very small though, with only five RV-capable campsites. These sites do offer 15-50-amp electrical service and water hookups and you can easily walk into town. An 18-hole disc golf course is also located with the park for some afternoon fun.
Along the northern shore of Chase State Fishing Lake, you can dry camp your rental RV for free at designated sites. This is a no-frills site with a fire ring, picnic tables, and in-ground pit toilets. However, you are right on the lake so if fishing is your thing, this is a great place to set up camp.
For more amenities and outdoor fun, head north to Richey Cove Campground in Council Grove. The campground borders Council Grove Lake which has great fishing, swimming, boating, and hiking. There are 43 sites to park your RV, but they only offer electrical service. A dump station, shower facility, and potable water station are available for your convenience.
You can also head to the east to camp at Emporia RV Park—20 minutes from Cottonwood Falls. The campground is conveniently located just off of I-35, although some campers are not fans of the background noise from the interstate. Sites offer water and electric hookups and the onsite disc golf course is a fun activity for the kids. The Emporia exit is a major thoroughfare with a number of stores and restaurants nearby.
If you don’t mind driving a little farther, the Cottonwood Point Campground is an excellent option for the whole family. A little more than 30 miles to the west off of K-150, the campground is seated on the 6,200-acre Marion Reservoir. Enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, birdwatching, grilling, and more. There are 164 campsites available and you can hook your rig up to 30/50-amp electrical service. Additional amenities include potable water access, shower facility, charcoal grills, trash collection, and boat docks.
Within downtown, there is only one proper restaurant, but it is highly rated. Keller Feed and Wine Company offers just about any type of cuisine you can think of; prime rib, pizza, Chinese, pasta, sandwiches all make appearances on the menu. You can also enjoy a cold pint or a glass of wine with your meal. Your only other option in town is carry-out pizza from a convenience store.
For some typical American fare, head about 10 minutes north to neighboring Strong City. Here, you’ll find some small-town cafés serving up some tasty breakfasts, burgers, and southern comfort food. For something a little different, head into Emporia to find a craft brewpub, Japanese sushi, Mexican, and BBQ.
A visit to Cottonwood Falls during your RV camping trip across Kansas is a nice way to slow life down a bit and relax. Vacationing can be hard work sometimes and a stop in this serene small town is a great option for the travel group to reset.