The Nature Center In Kansas That’s Worth Its Own Day Trip
There’s never a bad time of year to enjoy the outdoors in the Sunflower State! We’ve found a great park in Kansas that’s the perfect place to stretch your legs and enjoy some fresh air.
Welcome to Chaplin Nature Center, a great park in the Ark City area that's absolutely perfect for a day trip.
Originally homesteaded in 1874, this nature center combines 230 acres of woodlands, prairie, and water features, as well as hundreds of species of wildlife.
There's a wide spread of wildlife here, that ranges from small animals like rabbits to larger birds that migrate depending on the season. They have spotted over 200 species of birds alone, You never know what you'll see next, so keep your eyes peeled.
It's a great place for spotting birds in the trees, as each level of the stairway provides a different view of the trees as you head out into the park.
All this wildlife is best viewed throughout their five miles of trails, and provides plenty of space for you to explore through the day, including creeks and streams, and the edge of the Arkansas River that borders the park.
Next time you're looking for a day trip out in nature, Chaplin nature center's visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, but the park is open sunrise to sunset every day of the week.
You’ll find Chaplin Nature Center at 27801 27th Dr, Arkansas City, Kansas.
However, they have said that until Spring 2020, you will need to take a detour to get to the nature center unless you are heading from I-35. The Madison Bridge on hwy 166 is closed, and they have a few instructions for visitors.
They say to “ignore all the detour signs for 166 East, continue on I-35 to exit 4, go east on 166, and go around any barricades until you get to the turn off at 21st road. If you’re coming from Ark City from the north, take 252nd Road west towards Gueda Springs, turning south on 11th and then east on 272nd. If you’re coming from the south, take 206th road west, and stay on the paved road to hwy 166, going west to the turn off at 21st road.
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.
