Fall Adventures in Crawford County, Kansas: A Local’s Guide

A leaf peaking road trip is an excellent reason to take a drive into the heart of the Midwest. And tucked into the southeast corner of the state along Highway 69, Crawford County, Kansas, might look like a quiet, historic coal-mining region, but it holds some of the area's best outdoor and culinary secrets to explore this Fall. 

Best things to do in Southeast Kansas this Fall

If you have a craving for accessible outdoor adventures, tranquil scenic drives, peaceful lakes, and famous fried chicken, Crawford County is the the perfect destination for an easy day trip or weekend getaway. 

• Joplin, MO: ~35 minutes (north via US-171 N and US-69 N)
• Bentonville, AR: ~1 hour 15 minutes (north via US-71 N and US-69 N)
• Springfield, MO: ~1 hour 20 minutes (west via US-160 W)
• Kansas City, MO: ~2 hours (south via US-69 S)

Partner Note: This guide was created in partnership with Explore Crawford County to highlight the best outdoor recreation, fall scenery, and legendary local comfort food across the region.

Take an Easy Walk

Crawford County proves that not all hikes have to be difficult. This outdoor gem is loaded with some of the most approachable trails in the midwest.

Crawford State Park & Lake Farlington | 1 Lake Rd., Farlington (Park office: 620-362-3671)

Located nine scenic miles north of Girard, Crawford State Park is built around a picturesque 150-acre lake and is an ideal, gentle landscape to have an enjoyable day outdoors. Fall transforms the surrounding woods into a vibrant autumn display with easy access trails.

• Spiderleg Bridge Trail: A half-mile self-guided interpretive trail leading through a historic military outpost.
• Deer Run Nature Trail: A 0.75-mile hardened self-guided nature trail with interpretive signs highlighting local flora and fauna throughout the seasons.
• CCC Memorial Trail: A paved 0.25-mile historic self-guided interpretive trail featuring tools and items used in constructing Farlington Lake, anchored by a statue of a CCC Worker at the entrance.
• Enjoy the Lake: Bring a picnic, skip some rocks, wet a line, or paddle the lake. You'll want to come back next summer to camp and cool off at the swimming beach.
• Park Permits & Vehicle Fees: Crawford State Park requires a $5 permit upon entering, but the kiosk makes it simple to pay.

Worth Noting: CCC History

The lake at Crawford State Park (originally known as Farlington Lake) was constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (mostly by hand!) as part of the New Deal, transforming the area into a lasting regional recreation hub for Southeast Kansas.

Wilderness Park | 907 W. McKay St., Frontenac, KS

One of my kid's favorites (when they were little and now that they are big) is Wilderness Park. This park features roughly four miles of foliage-covered trails and four fishing pits. 

It offers a peaceful setting for walking, wildlife viewing, and outdoor recreation, with a large portion of its trail system being stroller and ADA-accessible. 

Located at 907 W. McKay St., Frontenac, KS, Wilderness Park features roughly four miles of scenic trails and four fishing pits.

Stroll the Pitt State Loop | 409 E. Ford Ave, Pittsburg, KS 66762

For a pleasant, flat walk right in the town of Pittsburg, try the University Lake and PSU Loop. 

• This easy 3.7-mile (6 km) loop features almost no elevation gain and takes roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes at a relaxed walking pace. But don't worry, you don't have to do the entire loop.
• The trail is family- and dog-friendly, making it ideal for walking with kids or pets.
• Picnic on the banks of University Lake, a quaint campus pond located just east of the football stadium.
• Make sure you check out Timmons Chapel. A gothic church with stone walls, a slate roof, bronze bells cast in Holland, and a pipe organ. The special chapel overlooks the picturesque University Lake.

Special All-Inclusive Playground

• Pittsburg's Schlanger Park features a paved pathway connecting an all-inclusive playground, a dog park, a skate park, and a sensory garden so every child and pet has space to play.

Patio Seating & Seasonal Sips

Crisp fall air in Southeast Kansas is practically made for sitting outside with a hot drink in hand. Whether you need a morning boost before hitting the trails or an open-air spot to unwind at sundown, here's how to map out your day:

Morning Coffee

• Signet Coffee Roasters (Pittsburg): Located at 109 N. Broadway, they roast their beans right in-house. Grabbing a handcrafted fall latte and a fresh pastry here is a cozy, foolproof way to start your morning. (Mon-Sat, 7 AM-2 PM)
• McKay Street Coffee (Frontenac): Sitting at 200 E. McKay St., this is a great stop to pick up a seasonal specialty drink if you're starting your day at the Frontenac Library-try a spiced brew or caramel apple creation.
• C4 Coffeehouse (Girard): Right along your route to Crawford State Park. Swing in to pick up a warm drink to sip by the lake.

Lunch on the Patio

• The Corner Patio (Pittsburg): Take advantage of the mild midday weather at Broadway and 10th. Grab an outdoor table for loaded baked potatoes, specialty wraps, and a warm bowl of rotating seasonal soup. (Mon-Thu 11 AM-3 PM; Fri-Sat 11 AM-7 PM)
• TOAST (Pittsburg): Tucked into 401 N. Broadway, TOAST leans into locally sourced breakfast favorites, hearty sandwiches, and scratch-made soups. Pair lunch with one of their creative seasonal coffee drinks-or a craft cocktail if you're settling in for a lazy afternoon.

Evening Out & Halloween Spirits

• The dRink Yard (Pittsburg): Head to 211 N. Broadway in Historic Downtown to cap off your day. This food truck court and open-air beer garden brings family-friendly fun under the string lights with live music, local brews, and lawn games. If you're visiting in October, they go all-out for spooky season-grab an outdoor seat and check out their themed drinks, festive photo ops, and creepy decor.

Fuel Up with Fried Chicken

Of course, packing a picnic is fun, but before you pack that cooler, you should know that Crawford County fried chicken is recognized as one of the "8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine." 

The legendary rivalry between Chicken Annie's and Chicken Mary's sits side by side in the Yale area, northeast of Pittsburg. 

But some other local favorites for fried chicken stops include Pichler's Chicken Annie's in Pittsburg, Chicken Annie's in Girard, Barto's Idle Hour in Frontenac, and Gebhardt's in Mulberry. 

Fall Decor Shopping

Of course, you'll want to pair your outdoor outings with shopping for your Fall porch decor and goodies at one of Crawford County's top spots for seasonal plants, fall harvests, and autumn decorations.

• In the Garden Landscaping & Garden Center, 818 E 4th St, Pittsburg | Phone: 620-231-4545)
  •  A family-owned garden center offers houseplants, pottery, garden gifts, and autumn favorites like monster mums, spooky mums, pumpkin stacks, corn stalks, and straw bales. Open Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM (Closed Sunday).
• Van Becelaere Greenhouse & Feed Store, 2513 E 4th St, Pittsburg | Phone: 620-231-1127
  •  A four-generation, family-run greenhouse that's perfect for picking up large fall mums, pumpkins, and more.
• Misty Morning Farms, 1088 E 620th Ave, Mulberry | Phone: 913-837-0724
  •  A family-owned farm sharing Kansas grown apples, vegetables, pumpkins, honey, and pecans. Check their Facebook page or call for current seasonal availability.

Next Time

1. Book a weekend cabin stay at Crawford State Lake or Mined Land Wildlife Area overlooking the water.
2. Kayak or canoe to explore the strip-pit lakes
3. Look for the local bison herd.
4. Do a full Crawford County fried chicken crawl to compare all six historic restaurants.

More to Explore / Worth a Look Nearby

• Big Brutus (6509 NW 60th St, West Mineral): A massive 160-foot mining shovel, the largest of its kind still standing. Visitors can climb inside, tour the museum, and explore the grounds. Call ahead for current hours and admission rates.

From Our Table to Yours: The Tables That Built Us

If all this talk of Crawford County and its legendary food has your mouth watering, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Tables That Built Us: Recipes from a town that spoke 53 languages. It features 80 cherished recipes, historical stories, and family traditions from across Southeast Kansas, celebrating how food taught a community to live together by connecting over food.

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