Great Plains Nature Center

Free Nature Center on Chisholm Creek

The Great Plains Nature Center is a free public nature center inside Chisholm Creek Park, run as a partnership among Kansas Wildlife & Parks, US Fish & Wildlife Service, and the City of Wichita. The grounds include two miles of trails through wetlands, woodlands, and tallgrass prairie.

Free Programs & School Education

The center serves more than 58,000 students annually free of charge, including 11,000+ at-risk youth. Programs include:
- Free indoor exhibits with living animals
- K-12 school field trips aligned to Next Gen Science Standards
- Quarterly nature programs for the public
- Archery, photography, book clubs
- Wildflower gardening
- Trail access dawn to dusk

What's Included

• Free entry to indoor exhibits and outdoor trails
• Educator-led school programs (free)
• Gift shop (The Owl's Nest)

Experience

One of the most accessible free urban nature centers in the central plains - kids meet living animals, walk real wetland trails. NOTE: Building closes for renovations starting June 19, 2026, but Chisholm Creek Park trails remain open. Office Mon-Sat 9am-5pm.