An estimated colony of 300 prairie dogs gives Prairie Dog State Park a distinctive natural feature in Norton County. The park is four miles west of Norton and covers 1,150 acres along the shore of the Keith Sebelius Reservoir. The Norton Wildlife Area borders the park and covers 6,400 acres. Together, the two protected areas and the reservoir provide a tangible setting for exploring the county’s natural side.

Nature and Trails at Prairie Dog State Park

Prairie Dog State Park has four reservable cabins. If you are considering this accommodation option, check current availability in advance. For a walk, the Steve Mathes Nature Trail is open for walking year-round and is 1.5 miles long. An upgraded archery range adds to the park’s amenities.

U.S. Highway 36, also known as the Pike’s Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway, runs through Norton County and the city of Norton. This helps distinguish the county-wide perspective from experiences in the city of Norton, without treating the two as the same thing.

Parks and Recreation in Norton

Elmwood Park and Pool Park have different focuses. Elmwood Park has lighted baseball fields, a skate park and a disc golf course. It also has a 0.5-mile dirt oval racetrack, a fairgrounds and an equestrian facility. Pool Park has a swimming pool, playgrounds, a lighted baseball field, a lighted basketball court and three lighted tennis courts. The city’s recreational venues therefore offer not only sports facilities but also playgrounds and swimming.

The Norton Aquatic Center includes a children’s pool, a swimming pool, a bathhouse and a concession area. It is open seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend; check current opening hours before your visit. The Norton Recreation Center offers racquetball and basketball courts, as well as a workout room.

History in the Cityscape and at the Museum

Norton County has properties listed in the National Register and State Register of Historic Places, including the Norton Downtown Historic District. It covers 19 acres and includes 43 contributing buildings, a network of brick-paved streets and 18 noncontributing properties. The figures and street layout give the historic district a clearly defined character.

The Norton Theatre also combines history with modern amenities: it opened in 1948, and much of the building remains largely unchanged, including its distinctive front marquee. At the same time, the theater has two auditoriums with digital projection. Three life-size Remington statues stand in front of the Norton Public Library complex.

The Norton County Museum’s exhibits span topics from natural history to local business. They include prehistoric fossils, a meteorite from among the largest to have struck North America, and the history of Norton’s businesses during their heyday from the 1940s through the 1960s.

Art and Events

For more than 40 years, the Norton County Arts Council has held an annual arts and crafts fair. The council also organizes an annual art walk, along with several concerts and theatrical performances. For art lovers, these events showcase different kinds of cultural programming, from a walking tour to the stage.

Elmwood Park is also the setting for recurring events: the Norton Home Owned Carnival takes place there every July. The Norton Area Chamber holds its annual car show downtown in Norton on the Friday and Saturday of the second weekend in July. Classic cars, motorcycles and tractors are on display. Event dates may change, so check them before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Norton, Clark County, Barber County, Grant, Leavenworth County, Montgomery, Pottawatomie County, Sumner County.

For the broader travel overview: Kansas.