Chaplin Nature Center
Located near Arkansas City, KS, Chaplin Nature Center is owned and operated by the Wichita Audubon Society. The trails are open to the public at NO CHARGE from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week.
Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is open on Saturdays 9 am – 5 pm and Sundays 1 pm – 5 pm year round. It is closed Mondays and holidays.
September 1 – November 15, Tuesday – Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm
November 16 – March 15, closed weekdays
March 16 – June 30, Tuesday – Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm
July 1 – August 30, Tuesday – Friday, 10 am – 2 pm
The Visitor Center is available for rental by reservation year round. For more information call Shawn Silliman, Naturalist, at 620-442-4133, or email CNC@wichitaaudubon.org
Programs
Programs are available at no cost, on and off-site, for children and adults.
Contact the Naturalist for details: Shawn Silliman, 620-442-4133 or email CNC@wichitaaudubon.org
Chaplin Nature Center also holds public programs throughout the year, as well as programs for home school children.
Getting to CNC
Detour to Chaplin Nature Center until Spring 2020
The Madison Bridge (US Hwy 166) is closed at the Arkansas River west of Arkansas City. If you are coming from I-35 (the Kansas Turnpike) you can still reach Chaplin Nature Center. Just ignore the detour signs for 166 East. Continue on I-35 to exit 4, go east on 166 and go around any barricades until you get to our turnoff at 21st Road.
If you are coming from Arkansas City (Hwy 77):
From the North: Take 152nd Rd west towards Gueda Springs. Turn south on 11th Rd, then east on 272nd Rd.
From the South: Take 306th Rd west. Stay on the paved road to Hwy 166. Turn west to 21st Road, then turn north 2 1/4 miles to 272nd Rd.
Address: 27814 27th Dr, Arkansas City, KS 67005
Click here to go to Google maps for directions and a larger map
Rules for visitors
Please be considerate by:
- Leaving your dogs and horses home
- Staying on designated trails
- Leaving flora and fauna in nature
- Being quiet; no excessive noise or music
- Properly disposing of trash
Other Rules
- No campfires or camping
- No bicycles on trails
- No vehicles on trails
- No alcoholic beverages
- No visitors past dark