If you think Kansas is nothing but flat prairies, you haven’t been to Chase Lake Falls. Tucked away in the heart of the Flint Hills, this multi-tiered waterfall is an absolute stunner, especially after a good rain. It has officially earned a permanent spot on my Must-See Hidden Gems in Kansas list!
Because it is a bit off the beaten path and completely unmarked, it can be a little tough to find. I want to make sure you can get there easily to experience it yourself while the water is still impressive.
Here is exactly how to drive and walk to Chase Lake Falls.
Driving Directions
Chase Lake Falls is located near Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, at the Chase County State Fishing Lake. Its address is: Chase Lake State Fishing and Wildlife Area, 1461 Lake Rd, Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845 The exact parking location is 38.371095, -96.583568.
From Cottonwood Falls, head west on Lake Road toward the lake entrance.
Turn South onto the unmarked road with the large sign that reads, “Chase State Fishing Lake Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks”.
That road curves east and then southwest, and you will see the dam off to your left.
You cannot drive across the dam, and there is no official parking lot. Just pull off safely to the side where you can.
If you want to plug the exact parking location into your GPS, use these coordinates: 38.371095, -96.583568.
The Walk to the Falls
Once you park, the real fun begins. You won’t see a massive trailhead sign, but the walk is completely worth it.
Walk past the car barrier and across the dam with the lake on your right.
At the end of the dam, take the unpaved foot path to the left that leads into the trees along the creek.
Follow the path downstream a short distance and you should hear the water off to your right. There are three levels of rock shelves where you can enjoy this hidden gem of a waterfall plunging roughly 40 vertical feet.
There are some rough wood steps off to your right that will take you to the main part of the waterfall where you can see all three levels from the bottom. This is the safest and easiest place to access the falls. I do not recommend trying to use a stroller on these paths. You can catch a glimpse of the different levels of the falls from the main path if the smaller paths down to the falls are too steep for you.
A Quick Explorer Tip: The rocks around the waterfall can be incredibly slick, especially with recent mud and mist. Wear sturdy shoes with good grip, and take your time finding your footing if you decide to climb down into the creek bed for a better view. Bug spray is recommended!
There is plenty of wildlife at this Hidden Gem in Kansas including harmless water snakes. Please be kind to nature!
Keep an eye out for my next post, where I will be breaking down my top professional photography tips for capturing waterfalls, including how I use slow exposures during the day to get that silky, magical water look!
