DO

Things to do and see around the Flint Hills area, compiled by the locals:

Matfield Green

  • Hike and take in the views of the PrairyArt Path.
  • Cool off and hunt for fossils in Crocker Creek and hike a 1-mile nature trail at Pioneer Bluffs Ranching Heritage Center
  • Look at wildlife and prairie flowers or catch a sunset on Open Range Road.
    • Drive south slowly through Matfield Green and look for the only possible right hand turn, which goes under the railroad trestle. For 5 miles the road winds here and there and then ends at M Road. Turn around and come back, the views look completely different on the way back.
  • Delight your kids (or your inner child) on the vintage playground equipment at The School for Rural Culture and Creativity

East of Cassoday

  • Drive or hike the rough road to Teter Rock, an iconic lookout point.

Cedar Point

Clements

Cottonwood Falls

  • Bask in serene nature and wildlife or go fishing at Chase State Fishing Lake.
    • Pro tip: To see the three-level waterfall, which ranges from roaring after a rain to a faint trickle during drought, walk across the dam, then look for a small unmarked-but-worn footpath to the left. Wear good shoes, the footing becomes tenuous when you reach the creek timber.
  • Take your picture in front of the unsurpassed-in-charm Chase County Courthouse.
  • Shop for cool primitive antiques and vintage farm stuff at Tallgrass Antiques and the Vintage Bulldog.
  • Find one-of-a-kind objects at the local artist coop Prairie Past Times.
  • Add some country to your look at Jim Roberts & Sons western wear shop.
  • Eavesdrop on the local goings on and slake your thirst at the Doghouse Saloon.
  • De-stress by booking a body treatment or facial at Metamorphosis Spa.

Strong City

Chase County Area

  • If you want to check out more events in Chase County, take a look at the Chase County Chamber of Commerce’s Event Calendar.

EAT

There are no restaurants, bars or cafes in Matfield Green, so it’s always a good idea to bring your own provisions. Here’s a few options outside of Matfield Green:

Cottonwood Falls

16 mi. north on KS-177

Strong City

18 mi. north on KS-177

El Dorado

35 mi. south

Emporia

38 mi. northeast

STAY

Chase County has one hotel, the Grand Central in Cottonwood Falls, one true bed & breakfast, Clover Cliff Ranch in Elmdale, and no motels or big box hotels, but lots of charming vacation rentals.

Matfield Green Lodging

Rural Chase County

Cottonwood Falls

Elmdale

Camping

PACK

Chase County has few stores, restaurants and gas stations. Savvy visitors pack plenty of food and beverages plus outdoor gear: hiking and water shoes, hat and sunglasses, sunscreen and bug spray, toilet paper, blanket or lightweight chairs, binoculars, sunshade or large umbrella.

There is no gas station in Matfield Green; make sure you roll into town with at least a quarter tank of gas and packing an empty gas can is not a bad idea. The closet pumps are 15 miles away on the Kansas Turnpike and Casey’s in Cottonwood Falls. Electric charging stations can be found in Emporia and El Dorado.

The rocks on the backroads are sharp, so have an inflated spare tire and changing tools on hand. To minimize the risk of flats, drive a vehicle with 10-ply tires and don’t go faster than 30 mph.

There is no convenience store in Matfield Green. The closest are Rick N’ Jenny’s Country Store in Cassoday (10 miles south on KS-177/Flint Hills Scenic Byway) and Casey’s in Cottonwood Falls (16 miles noth on KS-177/Flint Hills Scenic Byway).

There is no drugstore or supermarket in Chase County, find those in Emporia (38 miles via KS-177/Flint Hills Scenic Byway north and US-50 east) and El Dorado (35 miles south via KS-177/Flint Hills Scenic Byway and I-35/Kansas Turnpike south).