Chaplin Nature Center

Chaplin Entry Sign
Entrance to Chaplin Nature Center
- All photos by Jim Mason

Chaplin Nature Center is located on the inner edge of a bend in the Arkansas River.  More than five miles of walking trails provide easy access to bottomland timber & prairies, upland prairies, a spring-fed creek, and the Arkansas River.  You may pick up a trail map at the visitor center.

The varied habitat has attracted 225 species of birds, including tree sparrows, Harris' sparrows, rufous-sided towhees, cedar waxwings, and Carolina wrens. The woodlands harbor a good diversity of tree species, including black walnut, pecan, cottonwood, sycamore, red elm, and a showy springtime display of redbuds. Pileated woodpeckers inhabit the bottomlands, along with wood thrushes, wild turkeys, bobcats, and white-tailed deer. The rough green snake, a favorite of reptile lovers, is sometimes seen. A popular wintertime activity is watching bald eagles from the riverbanks.

Arkansas River sandbar
Sandbar on the Arkansas River at Chaplin Nature Center

The sandbar on the river is 1/4 mile long when the river is low.   During summer, it is alive with tiger beetles, dragonflies and killdeer.  Look for tracks of deer, coyote and raccoon as well as the occasional female water turtle either going to or coming from her nest above the high water line.

 

The visitor center features wildlife displays, a nature library, a gift shop, and a bird observation area located on a second-floor open deck bordered by tree canopy and serviced with bird feeders. It provides an ideal spot for bird photography or bird watching from the comfort of the library.

Chaplin Nature Center

In winter you may see white-breasted nuthatches, downy woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers, American goldfinches, dark-eyed juncos, and northern cardinals. In summer ruby-throated hummingbirds frequent the feeders and eastern bluebirds use the nest boxes provided.

Chaplin Boardwalk/Stairway

The trailhead for exploring the area lies just behind the visitor center.  Since the building is located on the edge of a steep bluff, this boardwalk stairway provides a handy means of descent.  The view from the top platform of the stairway is level with the bottomland tree canopy, making it a great spot to look for warblers.

For the wildlife watcher, a visit to Chaplin Nature Center guarantees success!

 UPCOMING PROGRAMS AT CHAPLIN NATURE CENTER

2011
SEPTEMBER 24, SATURDAY, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. FALL NATURE DAY & BUTTERFLY TAGGING Don't miss this once a year opportunity to participate in the Monarch Butterfly migration. Once instructed on proper handling and capture techniques for butterflies, adults and children will enjoy the challenge of the hunt as they search out these beautiful creatures. The butterfly tagging program is part of on-going research conducted by the University of Kansas. This is an all day event, so come early and plan to spend the day. There are lots of additional activities like crafts for children, bird and reptile hikes. Early birders will have a chance to shop the country store for homemade products like jams, breads, and desserts. Lunch will be available for a fee, or bring your own. Admission is free.

OCTOBER 22, SATURDAY, 7:30 - 9 p.m. ASTRONOMY PROGRAM
Join the Kansas Astronomical Observers at the Chaplin Nature Center for a night under the stars. Learn about the planets, constellations and other heavenly bodies. Participants are welcome to bring their own telescopes to join in on the fun.

NOVEMBER 11, FRIDAY, 7 - 8:30 p.m. MOON HIKE
Moon madness is upon us. Take a hike by the light of the moon to the Arkansas River. During this two mile hike, we'll search for our moon shadow, do moon trivia and discover the strange effects of the moon.

DECEMBER 23, FRIDAY, 8 a.m. ARKANSAS CITY CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
This is an all day survey of bird populations in the Ark City area. Meet at 8 a.m. in Newman Park on Highway 177 in Arkansas City. Teams will meet for supper and a compilation of results at Chaplin Nature Center in the evening. Participants pay a fee of $5 to the National Audubon Society.

2012

JANUARY 28, SATURDAY, 10 a.m. to noon, EAGLE WATCH
Mid-winter is a great time to view Bald Eagles in Kansas. Searching for open water, many eagles migrate down to Kansas to spend the winter. The group will take a 1.5 mile hike down to the Arkansas River to search for over-wintering eagles. If you have binoculars, bring them; if not, the Center can loan you a pair.

FEBRUARY 4, SATURDAY, 10 a.m. to noon, EAGLE WATCH
The eagles are here all winter, so if you missed the first watch, here is your opportunity to join in on the fun.

MARCH 9, FRIDAY, 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. NIGHT HIKE
Who is afraid of the dark? Participants will hike through the woods without flashlights to learn how their senses can be used at night. We will also listen for and identify the sounds of night and learn about nocturnal animals. Dress for the outdoors and wear sturdy shoes.

APRIL 7, SATURDAY, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. SPRING CLEAN-UP
With Earth Day right around the corner, why not get an early start and volunteer at the Chaplin Nature Center? The center needs your help with a variety of outdoor projects to help get the trails and facility in tip-top shape for school programs and visitors. Be sure to wear old clothes and bring a pair of work gloves. Call the center for more information.

MAY 12, SATURDAY, 10 a.m.- Noon BUTTERFLY WALK
Check out the butterflies that make Chaplin Nature Center their home. Swallowtails, hairstreaks, blues, crescents, emperors and skippers will be on our top ten list. A pair of close-focus binoculars will help you get a closer look at these creatures.

JUNE 4 - 8, MONDAY - FRIDAY, 9:30 a.m - 2 p.m.. NEWMAN QUEST DAY CAMP
Tracking! Trading! Traveling! The Chaplin Nature Center, Cherokee Strip Museum and Arkansas City Public Library are hosting their annual week-long day camp to teach 3rd and 4th greaders. Free of charge.

JULY 14, SATURDAY, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. BUTTERFLY COUNT
Help count and identify butterflies as part of a North American Butterfly Association official count. This one-day survey will count all the butterflies seen in a 15-mile diameter area. More experienced counters will be teamed up with novices, so everyone is welcome to help. For more information call CNC. Meet at the visitor's center at 8:30 a.m.

AUGUST 18, SATURDAY 9 - 11 a.m. WILD EDIBLE PLANT WALK
Take a walk on the wild side and discover some of nature's natural bounty. Participants will hike along the trails and identify some of the more common edible and poisonous plants. Advance registration required.

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Visitor center, restrooms

Camping iconCamping not allowed.

Trail icon Wildlife Homes Trail (0.3 mile loop); Spring Creek Trail (0.5 mile loop); Lost Prairie Trail (0.7 mile loop), Bluff Trail (0.6 mile loop); Prairie Trail (0.8 mile loop); River Trail (1.9 mile loop)

Click here to get county birding lists for Kansas. Click the icon to find a birding list for Sumner County.

Find nearby Geocaches! Click the icon to locate nearby Geocaches

For more Wildlife Watching sites in the Flint Hills, click here Click here for more Wildlife Watching sites in the Flint Hills!

Chaplin Nature Center map

Directions: From the intersection of U.S. 77 and U.S. 166 in Arkansas City (50 miles south of Wichita), travel 3 miles west on U.S. 166, then north 2 miles on 31st Road, which turns west to become 272nd Road.  Signs are provided for assistance.

Location in Kansas

For a Google Map of this site, click here.

Ownership: The entity responsible for management of Chaplin Nature Center is the Wichita Audubon Society.  Contact them at (620) 442-4133 or by Email if you have specific questions about use or management of the site.  200 acres
Click here to visit their web site for more information on seasonal hours and scheduled programs.

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Funded by the Chickadee Checkoff Program
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Click here for a brochure!

The Natural Kansas web site ©2011 by
the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism. 

Re-publication of site content in any form other than for personal use requires written permission.  If you are a Kansas resident, please assist with this and other wildlife viewing and conservation programs by contributing to the Chickadee Checkoff on your state tax form.

Questions or comments about Natural Kansas may be directed to Jim Mason