Little Ozarks, Kansas
Spring bursts forth in Southeast Kansas as the trees and meadows come alive. The shades of green, frame the first flowers of the season in their yellow, red, purple and brilliant whites. Community festivals across the region celebrate this new birth recognizing cherry blossoms, blues, redbuds and drama.
It's also time to get out your pole and head to the water for some good old fishin'. You'll come away feeling relaxed and refreshed after a weekend surrounded by still clear water and fresh air.
Explore historic buildings, bridges and museums as you make your way through this unique region with a new discovery just around the bend.
Explore Little Ozarks
Elk Falls and the River Canyon Area
This beautiful natural falls on the Elk River is impressive - at least by Kansas standards - and makes a really nice roar. Impressive, too, is the deep boulder-strewn river canyon in which it is located. Dry year? Welcome to "Elk Trickle."
Elk Falls, KS Scenic ViewsJohnston Public Library
The grand old building was entered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Built in 1872, it was intended to be the County Courthouse, but was never used for that purpose. Through the years the building has been a city hall, theater, and college. In 1905
Baxter Springs, KS Historic BuildingsRalph Mitchell Zoo and Riverside Park
Zoo residents include sun bears, buffalo, monkeys, cougars, a swan pond, caymans, eagles, and a flock of tame peacocks who roam the grounds. One of the more famous inhabitant was Miss Able, the first monkey in space. She resided at Monkey Island until her blast off in 1960. This 124
Independence, KS ZoosBig Hill Trails
Other features of the lake include the Big Hill Lake Horse Trail. This trail surrounds three-fourths of the lake and is 17
, KS Equestrian TrailsSycamore Valley Golf Course
Course Access: Public
Holes: 18
Reserve Advance Tee Times:
Independence Public Library
The Independence Public Library is still located at the corner of Maple and Fifth, in the structure as it was built by the Carnegie Foundation in 1907. The Library currently houses 61,700 volumes of print and non-print materials, with a patron registration of 9,880
Independence, KS Carnegie LibrariesCampgrounds
Elmore Park offers 28 public spaces with hookups, dump sites, and drinking water.
$10.00 per night for campers at improved sites, with or without electricity; $2.00 per night for tents at sites without hookups. Travel North on 3
Chetopa, KS RV ParksCoffey County Lake
The Coffey County Lake has been called the "Crown Jewel" of Kansas fisheries. The 5,090 acre lake provides cooling water for Wolf Creek Generating Station'
Burlington, KS RecreationThayer Museum
Citizens of the area, hoping to retain our history, have established the Thayer Museum in the old Thayer Bank building, listed on the Kansas Register of Historic Places. Thayer State Bank opened in 1900 and closed in 1932
Thayer, KS MuseumsBrown Mansion Museum
You will take a step back in time to the elegant lifestyle of the early 1900's when you visit the Brown Mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Completed in 1907 by W. P. Brown, the four-floor, 16 room Mansion contains the original furniture, wall and floor coverings.
Coffeyville, KS MuseumsIndependence Country Club
Course Access: Private / Public
Holes: 18
Reserve Advance Tee Times: Yes
Perkins Building
Located in the Perkins Building, the Condon Bank was one of the two banks robbed during the Dalton Raid in 1892. Today this building has been restored and is listed as a National Historical Landmark.
Coffeyville, KS Historic Buildings