The official start of summer is almost here! While we’re sad to see spring go, we are definitely looking forward to enjoying warmer weather, the smell of fired up grills, and of course, many more opportunities to eat cold treats!
From exploring Fort Scott’s many parks and historic places to going on a fun scooter rides around the town, we’ve rounded up a list of our favorite summer activities in the area. Challenge yourself to try at least one, if not all, of them this season!
Tour The Town In Dolly The Trolley
Hop aboard Dolly the Trolley for a 50-minute narrated tour of Historic Fort Scott, est. in 1842! You will pass by notable points of interest including:
* Fort Scott National Historic Site
* Downtown Historic District ~ Shops, Restaurants & Entertainment
* Historic Mansions
* Beautiful 155-acre Gunn Park
* US National Cemetery No. 1
* Old Congregational Church
* Gordon Parks Museum
* Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes
* Historic Courtland Hotel
* And, more!
A great way to see the sites of the town and learn the history! Regular tour departure times are Fridays 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm; Saturdays 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm.Tours leave from the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center, 231 E. Wall St.$6 adults, $4 children 12 & under. They can book tours other days & times for groups by appointment, call 620-223-3566 or email information@fortscott.com to reserve a time for a group tour. Additional tour variations are available for special group reservation with an additional step-on guide providing a more in depth tour of the National Cemetery, an architectural tour, and more. Contact them with questions or for more information at 620-223-3566!
Hop On A Bird!
These birds are THE BOMB!! We were so excited to bring Birds and Bricks: Scooters of Fort Scott to our wonderful community. And to say these zippy little guys are bringing ALL THE FUN, is an understatement! Our town is embracing them with open arms and we can’t keep enough on hand!
The scooters are being enjoyed by all…locals, visitors, folks young and old, family groups, friend groups, solo riders, people taking them to/from work, people exploring the town, people jumping around downtown establishments, people cruising our parks, and much more! With a super easy app download, you can be flying around the Fort in no time! It is $1 to start and then it is 39 cents per minute. You can connect the app to a credit or debit card, PayPal, or Apple Pay. Fly Birdies, Fly!
Gunn Park Trails
Gunn Park offers 155 acres of beautifully wooded terrain with many recreational activities for the entire family. This is a perfect spot for active families to enjoy the outdoors. Just look at these awesome amenities!
- Camping Sites There are 14 camping sites available with electricity and water.
- Disc Golf In 1999, a nine hole Frisbee golf course was added through a joint effort of the City of Fort Scott and the Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott.
- Fishing There are two fishing lakes available at Gunn Park.
- History Learn about the history of the Gunn Park.
- Photo Gallery View photos of Fort Scott’s Gunn Park.
- Playgrounds There are several playground areas located throughout the park with updated equipment.
- Shelter Houses Gunn Park has 7 shelter houses, 4 are enclosed shelters and 3 are open shelters. Shelters can be reserved at City Hall.
- Trails Approximately, 6.5 miles of single track, mountain bike trails have been added in the timber, and along the Marmaton River. These trails provide adventure and exercise for mountain bike riders, trail runners as well as hikers.
Go Fishing at Lake Fort Scott
Lake Fort Scott is located just a few miles Southwest of Fort Scott, Kansas. It is approximately 360 acres and offers outstanding fishing plus plenty of space for recreational boating. Lake Fort Scott is owned by the City of Fort Scott but the lake’s shoreline is developed for private residences. The lake is a Community Fisheries Assistance Lake Cooperator, there are no city permits for fishing and boating while fishing. City permit required for recreational boating. There is a double lane boat ramp, two floating docks, and toilets on the northwest side. There are several areas managed for shoreline fishing as well as floating fish feeders to note if boat fishing. The lake has quite a reputation for large flathead and channel catfish, largemouth and spotted bass are abundant also. Recent tree/habitat placements will improve angler success for bass and crappie.
Enjoy the sweet smells of lavender at the Lavender Patch Farm
The Lavender Patch, the first lavender plant was given to Erlinda Reichard in California, as were the dream seeds to start this endeavor. The first set of lavender plants were bought to Kansas in 2010 where the lavender patch dream was to be fulfilled. This is a project brought together by the Daryl & Erlinda Reichard and Davin & Betsy Reichard families, bonding two states, two families together in strength, courage, perseverance, and prayer. These are the qualities that have been used throughout these last couple of years and will continue over many more.
As their dream has become reality, they begin the next phase at The Patch. They will have a variety of lavender plants, grown for oils, crafts, and/or culinary use. A distiller will be used to get the essential oils from the plants. Eventually, they will have a gift shop and sell some of our products made here at the farm. This will include lotions, soaps, candles, essential oils, etc. We will host workshops and teach the art of making lavender wands, wreaths, etc.
Lavender bundles will be sold, picked by the staff, or you may pick your own! Enjoy a walk through the fields, relax amongst the plants, take in the aroma, and enjoy a unique outing at The Lavender Patch. Check out our Lavender Fest! The Lavender Fest 4 will be on June 19, 2021 from 9:00-3:30. It will be a day to enjoy the outdoors, walk through our lavender fields, harvest your own bundle(s) of lavender and/or wildflowers, enjoy time with family and friends while listening to music, playing some games, watching demonstrations, going on a lavender tour, hands on children’s fairy garden, and partaking in the opportunity to eat some lavender food such as ice cream, lavenderade, or even have lunch of pulled pork sandwiches with all the fixings!
Take in a round or two at Woodland Hills Golf Course
Woodland Hills Golf Course was for many years a private country club that went by the name Fort Scott Country Club. Because of some difficult economic times in Fort Scott, the country club also began to suffer financially and for many years, fell into deep disrepair. In 2012, the City of Fort Scott and many gracious donors stepped in and purchased the course, renaming it Woodland Hills Golf Course. At the time of the City’s purchase, only 8 holes of the 18 were open and playable, and the 100-year-old Clubhouse was in need of much repair.
Golf Course Superintendent
After purchasing the course in 2012, The City of Fort Scott hired GCSCA Golf Course Superintendent Jon Kindlesparger. Jon has 30 years of experience maintaining golf courses such as Alvamar Golf Club in Lawrence, KS and Four Oaks Golf Course in Pittsburg, KS. Jon has been able to get all 18 holes of the Woodland Hills Golf Course back into great condition, making it one of the best public courses in South East Kansas. The course is 6100 yards from the back tees and features a very challenging layout with undulating bent grass greens and plush Bermuda grass fairways.
Golf Professional & Clubhouse Manager
In the spring of 2016, the City of Fort Scott hired PGA Golf Professional Shannon O’Neil, who has 20 years of experience as a PGA Golf Professional, managing public and semi-private courses throughout the Midwest. Shannon brings a new level of golf knowledge and professionalism to Woodland Hills. His specialties are tournament operations and teaching.
New Clubhouse
Also in the spring of 2016, the City of Fort Scott in conjunction with the Fort Scott Community College and many donors, built a new clubhouse and demolished the old. The new building features a large back patio that looks out onto the 9th green and the putting green.
The next time that you are in the Fort Scott area, make sure to bring your clubs and come enjoy one of Southeast Kansas’s hidden treasures at the Woodland Hills Golf Course in Fort Scott, Kansas.
Take a Cool Dip in the City Pool at Buck Run Community Center
Home of the Fort Scott Hurricanes Swim Team, and to a summertime full of fun, it’s the Fort Scott Aquatic Center. Slides, diving boards, and a play area for the smaller kids. The Fort Scott Aquatic Center is the place to beat the heat during the summer! The Aquatic Center is available for private parties too!
Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday 1-7PM
Sunday 1-6PM
Admission Cost: 2 and under – Free
3-14 years old – $2.00
15-62 years old – $3.00
63 years and older – $2.00
Single Pool Pass – $65.00
Family Pool Pass – $150.00
Immerse Yourself in History at the Fort Scott National Historic Site
In 1842, the US Army established Fort Scott to protect and maintain the peace on the Permanent Indian Frontier, the opening of the West, Bleeding Kansas, the Civil War, and the expansion of the railroads.
Approximately 26,000 visitors come to Fort Scott National Historic Site each year. Representing a military fort of the 1840s, much of Fort Scott’s story focuses on the role of the U.S. Army on the frontier, The site interprets the 1840s era with interpretive exhibits, period furnishings, and living history programs that include soldiers drilling on horseback and artillery demonstrations.
The site preserves 20 historic structures, eleven of which are original buildings, the others are reconstructions built on the original foundations. The site is furnished to the 1840s era, but the story told here encompasses three decades of American history. From 1842-53, it was a military fort established to protect the Permanent Indian Frontier; soldiers kept peace between white settlers and American Indian tribes, patrolled overland trails and fought in the Mexican-American War. The fort was closed in 1853 as the frontier spread further westward. Two years later, the buildings were sold at auction and the fort became a town. The town was involved in the Bleeding Kansas era from 1854-61 when Kansans fought each other over the issue of slavery. There were episodes of violence and intrigue on the grounds of Fort Scott NHS during that era. During the Civil War, the United States Army returned to Fort Scott and established a military base that included many of the former fort buildings. Civil War Fort Scott functioned as a Union supply base, hospital complex, training ground and recruitment center
The site is open daily for self guided tours through the buildings and grounds. Visitors enter through the visitor center where they are oriented to the site, given safety information and provided with a park brochure. A twenty three minute movie, in the theater, provides an introduction to the site’s history, while a series of exterior and interior exhibits help guide the visitor through the site and tell its stories. A cell phone tour of the site provides a one minute narration of each of the buildings that are open to the public.
- A series of special events and living history programs during the year help to provide more in-depth interpretation of the site’s stories. A calendar of events is available to provide dates of upcoming activities.
- Guided tours are available year round. Call 620-223-0310 to arrange a tour for your group.
- There is also a self guided walking trail through the tallgrass prairie.
- If you have kids, be sure to check out our junior ranger program.
- For information on accessibility, view these pages.
- For directions to the site, click here. and for nearby accommodations and dining, follow this link
- For other park information, including hours of operation , visit our basic information page.
Cool Off with a Microbrew at Boiler Room Brewhause
Located on the busy corner of Wall Street and National Avenue in historic downtown Fort Scott, Kansas. The Boiler Room Brewhaus is located in the former classic 1950’s motor lodge ‘The Downtowner’. Featuring fresh craft beer made on site. Brewery tours and tastings available by appointment or during normal hours. Not a beer drinker? No problem, we have soft drinks, wine and whiskey.
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