Cowley County, KS
From its rich, green gold, and brown, fields that change with the seasons, to its rugged, tree-lined limestone hills over which the earth's softer hues hang at sunrise, Cowley County is a kaleidoscope - bits and pieces of color, culture, and all the other elements that enrich our lives. Each look, each visit reveals something new.
Located less than one hour from Wichita and two hours from Tulsa and Oklahoma City, the area offers rural living adjacent to urban amenities. Interstate 35 is just 15 minutes away.
Visitors may choose from a charming bed and breakfast, a hunting lodge or a variety of quality name motels. Two vibrant and thriving retail trade areas, located ten minutes apart in Arkansas City and Winfield, are easier to get to and closer together than most metropolitan shopping malls. Udall, Burden, Dexter, Atlanta, and Cambridge are spunky communities whose downtowns are enjoying rebirth.
Explore Cowley County
Outdoor Mural Tour
"Wrap Around Winfield" is the cover mural of a self-guided tourguide of 15
Winfield, KS ArtsChaplin Nature Center
Along the sandy beaches of the Arkansas River, Chaplin Nature Center combines 200
Arkansas City, KS Nature CentersWinfield Aquatic Center
Featuring two water slides, zero depth entry, 50 meter pool & diving area. A separate youth pool (for those 48 inches & under) has its very own "Serp 'n Dipity" water slide. Pool Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 1:15 - 7:00 pm Mondays & Wednesdays 1:15 - 6:00 pm
Winfield, KS Water ParksBaden Square Tour
In 1893, John Peter Baden, an early Winfield merchant and entrepreneur, built St. John's College. It became the first college in the Evangelical Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod system of higher education to admit women. St. John'
Winfield, KS ToursDenton Art Center
The Denton Art Center is the home of the Arkansas City Arts Council. Many exhibits, programs, and classes are held at this Center. This striking 1914 structure was formerly the residence of the Albert Denton Family. Mr. Denton was a prominent banker in Arkansas City. He and/
Arkansas City, KS ArtsHorizon United Methodist Center
"Camp Horizon" is nestled in 160 wooded acres on a bluff overlooking the Arkansas River. Purchased by John Hall in 1945 with the dream of building a youth camp, it now provides for a variety of outdoor and recreational experiences.
Arkansas City, KS TrailsSouthwestern College
It's 113 years old?but it's a whole new SC. Southwestern College is made up of a hilly, 82-acre campus in Winfield, Kansas; a downtown Winfield professional studies center, and two professional studies centers in Wichita, Kansas. The main campus has undergone more than $15
Winfield, KS CollegesCherokee Strip Land Rush Museum
This area was made famous as the gateway to the Cherokee Strip Land Rush that was later called "The Largest Race in World History." This movement attracted settlers from all over the world. Over 110,000
Arkansas City, KS MuseumsCowley County Historical Society Museum
The Cowley County Historical Society Museum is housed in one of Winfield's original schools built in 1886. The native stone building and its historical displays keep local history alive and available to the people.
Winfield, KS Museums
Stan Herd's Prairie Man
Prairie Man is an artistic response to a Kansas petroglyph of an original prairie dweller. The three-acre Prairie Man was created by subtle manipulations of ancient prairie grasses on a south-sloping face of a rock-strewn dry watershed. The piece can be seen from both highway and the air.
Arkansas City, KS ArtsHiatt House
The Italianate Victorian home presently known as Hiatt's House Restaurant, owned by Mr. & Mrs. Richard Tredway, was built in 1879 by Col. J.C. McMullen, a local banker. Other owners were George Miller of the famed 101 Ranch from 1888 to 1902, and the J.W. Hiatt family from 1902 to 1974
Winfield, KS Historic BuildingsCowley County State Lake
Cowley County State Lake, covering 85 acres, is mainly for fishing, but has campsites and picnic areas also. Along with many of the lakes in the area, it features channel catfish, a variety of bass, crappie, bluegill, sun perch and other species.
Arkansas City, KS Recreation