Cowley State Fishing Lake — Local services in Arkansas City

This place is very nice, very quiet, there’s a cool breeze tonight should make sleeping very easy. Campsites are quite a bit away from each other, had a bit of a time getting the Jeep level. It’s a good size like I would bring a couple of kayaks if you were gonna come down here and go fishing. If it wasn’t so windy, I’d have a little fire. Looks like my nearest neighbors are about a quarter mile away. There is an oil well across the highway up on a hill and it makes the strangest little chuffing sound. I’m assuming I’ll get used to it. The main reason I did not give it five stars is there is litter absolutely everywhere. And the bathrooms cannot be described as clean. So maybe they just haven’t come through and done their spring cleaning yet, it’s a state lake, but I’m not sure it’s a state park, so I don’t know who is in charge of it. It wouldn’t take a good crew more than a couple hours to run through it and clean all the garbage that people have left behind. Apparently, it’s been really dry here because you can tell where the waterfall is supposed to be, but there’s no water. Other times the year I bet...

It’s a beautiful area, definitely a hidden Kansas gem! The drive in was very pretty, but I would suggest stopping in Winfield for food, supplies, or gas because there’s absolutely nothing after the town. There’s a billboard at the entrance that explains everything, and there’s now some very basic signage for the waterfall! Follow the last sign at the fork in the road, and keep going ALL the way down until it comes to a turn around. There’s a small break in the tree line with a dirt path that’s been worn down by walkers. It’s a few short steps to the waterfall overlook, and it’s beautiful! However, the path down to the base is HORRIBLE! There is so much broken glass from beer bottles that it’s actually dangerous if you were to misstep or slip. It literally covers the entire area of...

The trails leading down to the falls are steep and a bit challenging in places. I would not recommend them for people with balance and mobility issues. For those who can actually negotiate the trails down, you will be rewarded with an up close view of the falls. They are nestled back in a small grotto surrounded by trees and large rocks. If you plan on getting up close and personal with the water I suggest having a change of clothes and water shoes handy. It is rather muddy in places and as others have mentioned broken glass can be found all over. Even with its draw backs I would still recommend making the trip and taking the family...