Elk Falls
If you're passing
Is it plungeworthy?
A waterfall on Elk River.
The details
- Watercourse
- Elk River
- Coordinates
- 37.37431, -96.18471
About Elk Falls
Elk Falls is a 10-foot waterfall in Kansas, on Elk River.
It's fullest after rain, and flow can drop off during dry spells — plan around recent weather.
Plungeworthy rates Elk Falls 5.3/10 — if you're passing. The score weighs its scale, how confidently it's mapped, and its character.
What you'll find
A natural falls — no dam involved — about 100 feet wide on the Elk River, with roughly 10 feet of total relief and a 5-to-6-foot main drop over a 300-million-year-old sandstone ledge. It sits at the edge of the town of Elk Falls, population 113, self-billed 'World's Largest Living Ghost Town.'
The 1893 Iron Truss Bridge just downstream is the viewing platform — no hike required. The town was named for the falls, and an 1875 grist mill once ran a turbine wheel here.
Come for the falls, stay for the town's other claim: the Outhouse Capital of Kansas, with murals, antique shops, and an annual outhouse tour.
Getting there
- Trailhead
- Edge of the town of Elk Falls
- Parking
- In town near the Iron Truss Bridge
- Road
- Paved
When to go
Any season for a look; bigger after rain.
Pair it with the town's murals and shops — the whole stop takes an hour.
Rules & fees
- Fee / pass
- Free — in-town public right-of-way
Researched from Wikipedia — Elk Falls, Kansas · Legends of America — Elk Falls. Conditions change — verify before you drive. Been to Elk Falls recently? Post a conditions report below.
Where it is
Planning a visit? We want your photo.
Elk Falls doesn't have a photo yet. If you make the trip, send one to hello@plungeworthy.com and we'll publish it here with credit to you.
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
How tall is Elk Falls?
Elk Falls drops about 10 feet, in Kansas.
Where is Elk Falls?
Elk Falls is a waterfall in Kansas, at 37.37431, -96.18471.
Is Elk Falls worth visiting?
If you're passing — Plungeworthy rates it 5.3/10.
Gear for the trip
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