Photo: RuralResurrection · CC BY 4.0Chase Falls
If you're passing
Is it plungeworthy?
A 3-tier waterfall on Prather Creek.
The details
- Tiers
- 3 drops
- Watercourse
- Prather Creek
- Coordinates
- 38.37021, -96.57971
About Chase Falls
Chase Falls is a waterfall in Kansas, on Prather Creek. The water falls in 3 distinct tiers.
It's fullest after rain, and flow can drop off during dry spells — plan around recent weather.
Plungeworthy rates Chase Falls 4.1/10 — if you're passing. The score weighs its scale, how confidently it's mapped, and its character.
What you'll find
About 40 feet of three-section cascade below the Chase State Fishing Lake dam, a mile and a half west of Cottonwood Falls in the heart of the Flint Hills. (Our database said zero feet — one of the biggest corrections in the state.)
It's a true spillway falls: water steps down rocky shelves in three tiers, ranging from a trickle to a roar depending entirely on recent rain, and it can run dry.
One heads-up: the lake's 1930s-era outlet tower has been undergoing its first major inspection and repair since construction — verify current conditions before a long drive.
Getting there
- Trailhead
- Chase State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area, 1.5 miles west of Cottonwood Falls off Lake Road
- Parking
- Lake-area lots
- Road
- Lake Road from Cottonwood Falls
When to go
Spring, or within days of heavy rain, for the full three-tier flow.
Dry spells shut it off — check recent rainfall before the drive.
Rules & fees
- Fee / pass
- Free — KDWP state fishing lake
- Camping
- Allowed at the lake (14-day max, standard KDWP rule)
- Warnings
- Swimming is officially prohibited at Kansas state fishing lakes (KAR 115) unless posted otherwise.
Researched from Outdoor Project — Chase State Fishing Lake · Kansas City Hiker — Chase Lake Falls · Benesch — Chase State Lake draw-down tower project. Conditions change — verify before you drive. Been to Chase Falls recently? Post a conditions report below.
Where it is
Before you go
The pin marks the feature, not a trailhead or a legal route in. Some sit on private land or need a real hike, and conditions change with season and rain. Check local access, don't trespass, and never enter water — hot or cold — where it isn't safe.
Common questions
Where is Chase Falls?
Chase Falls is a waterfall in Kansas, at 38.37021, -96.57971.
Is Chase Falls worth visiting?
If you're passing — Plungeworthy rates it 4.1/10.
Gear for the trip
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