Butcher Falls, a natural 14-foot vertical drop cascade, is usually a year-round waterfall because it is located on Pool Creek which is down-stream from a spring-fed lake. Butcher's Falls is three miles west of Sedan about 150 feet inside the gate of Bill
Kurtis' Red Buffalo Ranch.
Bill Kurtis has been a very successful businessman. Much of his success has been in the broadcast industry but he has become a one-man conglomerate
with offices in several cities (like Chicago) around the country. Originally from Independence, Kansas, he has been a strong - and verbal - supporter of tourism in Kansas.
How to get there:
From Independence:
Sedan is southwest
of Independence KS via US-75 and then west on US-166. When you reach the
intersection of KS-99 just south of Sedan, turn right and follow OK-99 into
Sedan. (OK-99 makes a left at Main Street.) Follow OK-99 (west) out of Sedan. From where US-166-Bus splits off to the left, continue straight on OK-99 for 1.4 miles and turn left heading for the mail gate of Red Buffalo Ranch.
From I-35:
Take exit 4 and
follow US-166 eastbound, through Arkansas City, to the split of US-166 and
US-166-Bus just west of Sedan (about 44 miles from Arkansas City or 7 miles
east of Wauneta). Bear left on the Business route but when you get to the
intersection of OK-99, turn left and follow it for 1.4 miles and turn left heading for the mail gate of Red Buffalo Ranch.
Important Note: We were told in town that entering the ranch BY FOOT is
permitted (close the gate both when entering and when leaving!). However vehicles are not allowed past the gate.
Links to Photos:
- Photo courtesy John Charlton, Kansas Geological Survey
- Photos courtesy Kansas Geological Survey
- Photo from U of Kansas web site
For more information:
- More information about Sedan, KS
- More information about Chautauqua County
