Top 15 Must-Do Activities in El Dorado, Kansas

Located in south-central Kansas, El Dorado boasts a history that dates back to the 1860s, yet the contemporary narrative of the city commenced in 1915 with the discovery of oil.

Within just three years, this oilfield had become the largest oil producer in the United States, contributing nearly 13% of the nation’s overall output.

Fast-forwarding to the present, El Dorado is a charming small town situated on the periphery of the Flint Hills. It features a vast reservoir that was constructed for flood control in the 1970s, now serving as a recreational haven during the summer months at El Dorado State Park.

El Dorado is uniquely recognized as a designated City of the Arts in Kansas, a status highlighted by the esteemed Coutts Museum of Art and a collection of outdoor sculptures dispersed throughout the downtown area.

1. El Dorado State Park

This 8,000-acre reservoir, featuring close to 100 miles of shoreline, was developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and completed in 1981 as a flood control initiative.

Located just minutes from downtown, you will gain access to approximately 4,500 acres of parklands, with an additional 3,500 acres designated as a wildlife area.

The state park offers an extensive network of trails suitable for walking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. It includes two swimming beaches, 1,100 campsites, and a marina providing boat rental services.

Moreover, a large amphitheater serves as a splendid venue for festivals and concerts throughout the summer season.

2. Kansas Oil Museum

To familiarize yourself with El Dorado’s oil boom, proceed to this museum situated on an expansive campus on the eastern side of downtown.

The Kansas Oil Museum encompasses both indoor and outdoor exhibits across ten acres. Inside, you can explore the historical tapestry of Butler County, examining the lives and customs of Native Americans who inhabited these lands, the ecosystems of the Flint Hills, and the growth of communities in the early 1900s.

The outdoor displays primarily focus on the oil industry, showcasing historic machinery from the boom era and providing detailed narratives on the extraction of oil from deep beneath the earth’s surface.

At the Historic Boom Town exhibit, captured in the 1910s, you will learn about how boom towns like El Dorado functioned as extensions of oil companies, overseen by company officials to mitigate strike actions.

3. Downtown El Dorado

One of the most noticeable aspects of El Dorado’s historic downtown area is the convenience of access to key attractions on foot.

The area is characterized by a concentrated array of local shops, restaurants, public art, visitor attractions, green spaces, entertainment options, and sports facilities, all within close proximity.

A summer evening in downtown might involve enjoying dinner and a film at the Central Cinema 6 or indulging in craft beer alongside a baseball game at the renowned McDonald Stadium.

As a City of the Arts, the downtown district imbues a creative spirit, exhibiting a notable number of public sculptures, the highly regarded Coutts Museum of Art, and a collection of smaller independent galleries.

4. Coutts Museum of Art

The former Butler County State Bank building in downtown El Dorado serves as the site for a distinguished art museum, established by Warren Hall Coutts, II, a former attorney in the area.

Coutts intended to establish an office here with his son, Warren “Bud” Hall Coutts, III, whose life was tragically cut short in a 1965 airplane crash.

While practicing law in the building, Coutts inaugurated a museum in 1970 on the third floor in honor of his son, which ultimately expanded to occupy the entire structure.

During his travels, Coutts accumulated an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from locations spanning South America to China, Russia, France, the Netherlands, and England.

Now, the museum holds over 1,500 works, with a focus on the Makk family of artists, significant sculptures by Frederic Remington, Prairie Printmakers, and various Kansas artists such as Bill Walton and Jim Clements.

5. El Dorado Bike Trail

The optimal way to access El Dorado State Park is by walking or cycling along this almost four-mile trail.

You can begin your journey on the Linear Trail at East Park, with an additional spur located directly across the Walnut River at the scenic Riverside Park.

This trail traverses through a wooded riparian habitat alongside the river’s West Branch, weaving through Main Park before eventually connecting to a segment of a former railroad trackbed, guiding you to the lakefront and campground.

The beautiful concluding stretch features a mix of woodland and the stunning tallgrass prairie typical of the Flint Hills region.

6. Walnut River Brewing Company

For those who appreciate premium craft beer, a notable brewery is located at the southern end of downtown. Walnut River Brewing Company was established in El Dorado in 2013 and has since expanded with a pourhouse in Wichita.

This location, housed in a historic brick building from the 1910s, previously operated as a brothel a century ago. Visitors can enjoy the inviting taproom from Tuesday to Sunday, sampling from 12 beers on tap.

A few signature year-round options include Warhead Irish Red, Teter Rock Kolsch, High Beam (West Coast IPA), and Re-O-Ranged (Citrus IPA), complemented by a rotating selection of seasonal offerings ranging from Porters to Stouts to Sours.

7. McDonald Stadium

Positioned just a short distance from downtown El Dorado is a charming local ballpark, McDonald Stadium, which opened in 1940. Presently, this stadium serves as the home field for the El Dorado Broncos, competing during the summer in the Sunflower Collegiate League.

Several former Broncos players have transitioned to the Major Leagues, including three-time All-Star Heath Bell and MLB pitchers Nate Robertson.

The rich baseball tradition of El Dorado is showcased at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum located within the stadium, displaying artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia that trace the history of the sport in Butler County and highlight notable players and Hall of Fame inductees.

Visitors can arrange their visit by contacting the El Dorado Parks Department.

8. BG Products Veterans Memorial Sports Complex

Located on the west side of El Dorado, Butler Community College boasts a robust athletic program. The Butler Grizzlies participate in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), fielding ten varsity teams across five sports facilities.

The prominent BG Products Veterans Memorial Sports Complex, which was inaugurated in 2012, represents a $12 million collaborative effort involving the college, the City of El Dorado, and USD 490.

This facility serves as the Grizzlies’ home field for football, featuring an artificial surface shared with several NFL teams, as well as two large video boards and twelve luxury suites. Butler has achieved six NJCAA titles in football, with the latest title secured in 2008.

9. El Dorado Main Street Sculpture Program

Enhancing the charm of downtown El Dorado is a permanent public art exhibition extending along Main Street and parts of Central Avenue.

This initiative adds a distinctive urban quality usually associated with larger cities, providing extra motivation to explore the vibrant heart of El Dorado.

Accessible within a brief walk, there are 16 captivating and meticulously maintained works of art, complemented by a published map detailing their locations on the El Dorado Main Street website.

Five pieces are prominently displayed around the Sculpture Plaza adjacent to the Coutts Museum, including the notable ceramic tile mural titled “Glory of the Hills,” crafted by Phil Epp and Terry Corbett, celebrating the beauty of the Flint Hills that traverse east-central Kansas.

10. El Dorado Municipal Pool

The admission rate for El Dorado’s outdoor pool located in Forest Park remains remarkably affordable. As of the time of this writing, the entry fee stands at a flat rate of $2, while summer passes are available for families at $90 and individuals at $50.

The swimming season commences during Memorial Day weekend, with the pool operating from Tuesday to Sunday throughout the summer break from school.

Facilities include a 50-meter lap pool equipped with two waterslides, diving boards, a kiddie pool, and ample shaded areas.

Additionally, children can cool off at two spray parks situated at North Main Spray Park (1000 N. Main St.) and Graham Spray Park (1600 Edgemoor).

11. Shady Creek Marina

Situated at El Dorado Lake, just ten minutes from the downtown area, Shady Creek features a full-service marina and boat dealership, offering rentals and sales.

Here, guests can choose from a selection of 22-foot pontoon boats, accommodating up to ten individuals for a self-guided voyage around the lake.

For those seeking greater power, tritoon boats equipped with 150 hp engines are available. Pets are welcome aboard all vessels, and guests may bring coolers for leisurely picnics on the water.

12. The Walters’ Pumpkin Patch

From mid-September to October, this farm situated ten minutes north of downtown transforms into a fall-themed entertainment venue.

The centerpiece of Pumpkinfest is a 30-acre pumpkin patch, where visitors can enjoy a hayride out to the field to select pumpkins of various shapes, colors, and sizes.

New activities and entertainment offerings for children are added each year, which may include a corn maze, giant jumping pillows, the “O’Play Corral,” a treehouse play area, bag swings, farm animals, pedal boats, climbable hay bales, and straw piles for jumping, alongside numerous other attractions.

Parents will appreciate the two expansive gift shops, which offer seasonal treats and handcrafted items.

13. World War II History Center

Offering an engaging experience for a few hours on Saturday, this museum in downtown El Dorado is dedicated to the history of World War II.

This center explores the war from the American perspective while also addressing the roles of the other Allied nations and the Axis powers. It provides insights into every theater of conflict, encompassing the Home Front, Pacific, and European fronts.

The center houses a diverse collection of artifacts, which are featured in rotating displays and include equipment, medals, weapons, uniforms, flags, and ordnance.

One unique exhibit includes a restored 1940 Zenith radio, which plays recordings of wartime broadcasts, allowing visitors to experience what families during that era would have followed as they listened to updates from their homes.

14. Central Cinema 6

Mostly operating within Kansas, Mitchell Theatres represents a chain of first-run movie theaters that provide upscale cinematic experiences in smaller towns, including El Dorado.

Mitchell acquired the Central Cinema 6 multiplex located downtown next to Central Park in 2011, enhancing its auditoriums with digital projection, surround sound, and 3D capabilities.

Notably, attending a film at Central Cinema 6 is very economical, with matinee tickets priced at $5 and evening shows at $7. Furthermore, concessions remain affordable, with an extra-large bucket of popcorn priced at just $5 during this review period.

15. North Main Park

Located just after Main Street crosses the West Branch of the Walnut River, a well-equipped park exists, which includes one of El Dorado’s two splash parks.

Main Park is also part of a series of green spaces along the El Dorado Linear Trail, providing a convenient stop for visitors to enjoy the picnic areas (featuring 20 picnic tables).

In addition to the splash park, the facility offers a conventional playground for children, horseshoe pits, tennis courts, pickleball courts, a sizable gazebo, and fitness stations for adults.