Waterfalls in Kansas? Yes! There are waterfalls near Wichita. You may be surprised to hear there are many gorgeous waterfalls you can visit across the state. In fact, there are five that are two hours or less away from Wichita. So if you’re looking for a little day trip and an adventure, look no further!
Six Waterfalls to Visit Near Wichita
*Waterfalls in Kansas are best to visit in the spring or when there have been heavy rains. We always check ahead before we visit (either through Facebook pages or by calling).
Butcher Falls – 1hr 45min drive Southeast of Wichita
West of Sedan, Kansas, just off County Road 14, west of the fork where 14 meets Kansas Road. This waterfall is open to the public during daylight hours and limited to 100 yards above and below the falls.
Chase Lake Falls – 1hr 15min drive north of Wichita
This three tiered waterfall is east of Cottonwood Falls. You enter the Chase State Fishing lake east of town and park along the dam to walk over to the waterfall. We recommend taking the turnpike and get off at the Cassidy exit so you can take the scenic byway through the Flint Hills.
Cowley Lake Waterfalls – 1hr 15min drive south of Wichita
This waterfall is only 30 miles away from Butcher Falls, so you could make a day out of checking out both. This waterfall is located 16 miles east of Arkansas City, off of Highway 166 at the Cowley State Fishing Lake.
Based on feedback from Facebook, this waterfall can be a steep hike to get to the bottom of it. Also there is a lot of broken glass on the ground, so good shoes are needed.
Geary Falls – 1hr 45min drive north of Wichita
This is considered one of the best waterfalls in Kansas. It’s six miles south of Junction City off of Highway 77 inside Geary State Lake. This waterfall is said to be best in the spring or after big rains.
Pillsbury Crossing in Riley County – 2 hr northeast of Wichita
Pillsbury Crossing is a natural limestone slab that was used by pioneers to cross Deep Creek. Just 15 mins southeast of Manhattan, this is a great day trip option for families! The falls are not very steep and are perfect for wading during warmer summer months.
Santa Fe Lake Falls – 25 minute drive east of Wichita
You can see our full Explore with Kids at Santa Fe Lake here. These are the closest waterfalls near Wichita and worth going to check out. It’s inside Santa Fe Lake near Augusta. You do need to buy a day pass or annual pass to enter the park. But once inside, you can hike to the waterfall and other areas, plus swim in the lake. It’s an easy getaway. Santa Fe Lake is also a great spot for an outdoor adventure! The falls here typically flow only when the lake is over full (April/May) so be sure to call before you visit.
