One of my favorite aspects of traveling across Kansas is the unexpected beauty and surprising places just waiting to be discovered. Spring is the best time to experience some of Kansas’ best kept secrets — waterfalls.

Yep, that’s right, Kansas is home to more than 80 waterfalls. While some are on private property, we are sharing the must-see cascades in the Sunflower State this season. Be sure to plan your visit after a decent rainfall, when they are putting on a full show. If you happen to visit when water flow is low, it’s a great time to do some fossil hunting; you never know what you might find.

Prather Creek Falls

Prather Creek Falls, also known as Chase Lake Falls, near Cottonwood Falls, is nothing short of mesmerizing. It offers spectacular views with three different tiers to explore. You can access this waterfall by parking at the Chase State Fishing Lake Dam and following the spillway down to the creek. Make a day of it and explore the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway along the way.

Cowley Falls

Named the 12th-most beautiful waterfall in the United States by Yahoo Travel, Cowley Falls lives up to the hype. This natural oasis, in Dexter, radiates beauty like no other, especially in the spring. This cascade has a few access points. There is a parking lot on the west side of Cowley County State Fishing Lake right next to the falls, or you can take the back road west of the park down to the bottom of the falls. If you do the latter, you will need to hike a couple hundred feet upstream alongside the creek on rock-strewn terrain — but once you get there, the views are awe-inspiring. 

Alma Falls

Alma Falls is just a hop and a skip off of I-70 in northeast Kansas. Found on the southwest corner of Alma State Fishing Lake, this showstopper features multiple drops and rugged ledges. When the water is rushing, this exuberant waterfall makes a perfect backdrop on a sunny afternoon.

Geary Lake Falls

Said to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Kansas, Geary Lake Falls is a sight to see. Located outside of Junction City at Geary State Lake, the trek to this 35-foot waterfall does require some endurance, but is oh-so-worth-it in the end. If you park at the northeast end of the lake and walk across the dam, you’ll start to hear the magical sounds of the waterfall in the nearby woods. For the best views, you will need to take the steep, rocky slope down to the bottom of the falls — so be sure to bring your hiking gear.

Bachelor Creek Waterfall

Bachelor Creek Waterfall at Eureka City Lake might be one of the lesser-known falls in Kansas, but it is absolutely spellbinding.  The multiple drops and ledges create an intriguing, intricate water pattern that will stop you in your tracks. It’s a good thing there are plenty of places where you can sit down and immerse yourself in the beauty of Kansas and its offerings.

You can find these waterfalls and many more at travelks.com. Our waterfall road trip is one of the most popular outdoor adventures in the state. You can also get insider tips from our guest blogger and Kansas waterfall aficionado Mickey Shannon, with his “Top 10 Kansas Waterfalls Guide” at the website. Be sure to use #ToTheStarsKS when you post photos from your explorations of these destinations.

Sharples-Terry is public relations and communications manager for Kansas Tourism. Kansas Tourism aims to inspire travel to and throughout Kansas to maximize the positive impacts that tourism has on the state and local communities. For more trip inspiration and to order a free Kansas Travel Guide, visit travelks.com.