The Underrated Kansas Spring That Just Might Be Your New Favorite Summer Destination
By Clarisa|Published June 20, 2019
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Clarisa
Author
Born and raised Kansan, Clarisa has lived in both tiny towns and cities during their time here in the Sunflower State. As a busy mother of one crazy kid, two cats, and two geckos, they write whenever there is spare time.
Did you know some of Kansas’ lakes are fed by natural springs? It’s not something that many know, and you might not notice a spring if you can’t see it working its magic. This isn’t a spring you can see bubbling to the surface of a small pool, but a spring that’s feeding this entire lake with water. Check out what beautiful lake this one has been feeding for years.
Welcome to the site of this beautiful Kansas spring, Waconda Lake. It's hiding out in Glen Elder State Park, and you may know this body of water as Glen Elder Reservoir because of it.
Beneath this beautiful lake is what we call Waconda Spring, but is more directly translated from the Kaw word Waconda to mean Great Spirit. So, Great Spirit Spring sits below this lake, feeding it with fresh water.
There is a legend surrounding it as well, though we don't know the true origin of the legend itself. Once, a beautiful Waconda (great spirit) who fell in love with a warrior named Takota, who was part of a competing tribe. Their forbidden relationship led to a battle, where Takota was shot and fell into the springs. Waconda, struck with grief, followed him into the waters.
It was considered neutral territory for all tribes, including the Kaw, Pawnee, Comanche, and Osage. As the Indians were forced from the land, settlers showed interest, and started bottling the mineral water to sell as tonic and eventually turned the location into a tourist attraction in 1904, where they built a resort, claiming taking a dip in the water had health benefits.
Then in 1968, the springs were covered under Waconda Lake when the dam was built. Today, it is surrounded by the beautiful Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains.
As with any beautiful nature area in Kansas, you can enjoy this lake with more than a visit, but by camping, fishing, boating, and more. Why not make a day or weekend trip out of it?
