Set on 100+ acres of tall grass prairie, canopied forest, and quiet pond country in Pleasanton, Kansas, Cedar Crest Lodge doesn’t have a single “best time to visit.” Each season rewrites the property – and the surrounding Linn County countryside – into something worth planning a trip around. Whether you’re chasing wildflowers, wine country afternoons, fall color, or a snow-quiet weekend by the fire, here’s how to make the most of every season at Cedar Crest Lodge.
Spring: Wildflowers, Wildlife, and Wide-Open Trails
As the prairie wakes up, spring is the season for movement. Our 4+ miles of walking trails wind through prairie, forest, and pond areas that come alive with wildflowers, migrating birds, and newly green canopy – ideal for an early-morning hike with coffee in hand or a slower evening stroll before dinner.
What to do:
- Hike or bird-watch our trail system as the prairie greens up and migratory birds pass through
- Visit Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge, just a short drive away, where roughly 7,500 acres of bottomland forest, wetlands, and prairie make for exceptional spring birding and wildlife viewing
- Tour Mine Creek Civil War Battlefield State Historic Site, walking the 2.6-mile self-guided path while the site’s cottonwoods and grasses turn green
- Book a spring spa treatment at the lodge to bookend an active day outdoors
Spring is also prime season for couples and small groups looking to plan ahead for graduation trips, Mother’s Day getaways, and babymoons before summer’s heat sets in.
Summer: Pool Days, Wine Country, and S’mores Under the Stars
Summer is Cedar Crest Lodge at its most social. Warm evenings mean fire pit nights, and every stay from May through mid-November includes a complimentary s’mores kit for guests to enjoy at the on-site fire pit – a small ritual that turns into most guests’ favorite memory of the trip.
What to do:
- Relax poolside between exploring the property’s trails and prairie ponds
- Roast s’mores at our fire pit as part of your stay, no reservation needed
- Sip your way through Linn County wine country, including Blue Dog Wine Co. & Tasting Room (the county’s first winery, just 10 miles away), Somerset Winery (the first to produce world-class Crimson Cabernet), Isinglass Estate for dessert wines and oaked reds with a gastro pub patio, and Nighthawk Vineyard & Winery for farm-grown varietals in a pastoral setting
- Visit Skyview Farm & Creamery, a family-run creamery about 5 miles from the lodge, for handmade cheese aged right on-site
- Drive the Frontier Military Historic Byway, a scenic north-south route through Pleasanton with long summer daylight to explore at an easy pace
Summer weekends fill quickly, especially around wine-country day trips and corporate retreats looking for an escape from the city – plan ahead if you want a specific room or event date.
Fall: Prairie Color, History, and Harvest-Season Wine
If there’s a signature Cedar Crest Lodge season, it’s fall. The tall grass prairie turns amber and gold, the forest canopy shifts, and the pace of the property slows into something closer to a retreat. This is peak season for couples, anniversary trips, and anyone chasing classic Kansas countryside views.
What to do:
- Walk or bike the trails during peak color, when the prairie and canopied forest are at their most photogenic
- Explore Linn County’s Civil War history at Mine Creek Battlefield and the Linn County Museum, where curated exhibits and a genealogy library bring the region’s 19th-century story to life
- Visit the Marais des Cygnes Massacre State Historic Site, a quieter, reflective stop along the same historic corridor
- Return to the wineries for harvest season, when tasting rooms lean into seasonal releases and patio hours stretch into golden hour
- End the day at the fire pit with s’mores while the evening cools off – this is the last stretch of fire pit season before it wraps up mid-November
Fall is our most requested season for weddings, elopements, and small corporate retreats, so it’s worth reaching out early if you’re eyeing a specific weekend.
Winter: Fireside Quiet and a True Countryside Reset
Winter at Cedar Crest Lodge trades activity for atmosphere. With cooler days and quiet trails, it’s the season for guests who want to actually slow down – a fire in the room, a spa treatment, and long, unhurried mornings with nowhere to be.
What to do:
- Book a massage or spa service and let the season’s slower pace do the rest
- Take a brisk winter walk on the trail system, when bare trees open up long sightlines across the prairie and pond areas
- Tour the Linn County Museum on a colder day, an indoor way to dig into the area’s Civil War and pioneer history
- Plan a wallet-free, all-inclusive stay so the whole trip – meals, relaxation, and downtime – is handled before you even arrive
- Use the season for reflection getaways: winter is popular with guests planning a proposal, a milestone celebration, or simply a reset before the new year
Winter books lighter than the rest of the year, which makes it the easiest season to snag a favorite room or a last-minute midweek escape.
Plan Your Season at Cedar Crest Lodge
No matter when you visit, Cedar Crest Lodge is built around the same idea: 100+ acres of Kansas countryside, a slower pace, and easy access to Southwest Kansas’ best wineries, trails, and history. The season just changes the scenery.
Ready to pick your season? Check availability at Cedar Crest Lodge and let us know what kind of trip you’re planning – we’re happy to point you toward the best local stops for the time of year you’re visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best season to visit Cedar Crest Lodge? It depends on what you’re after. Fall offers the best prairie color and is popular for anniversaries and weddings; summer is best for wineries, the pool, and fire pit evenings; spring is ideal for hiking and wildlife viewing; and winter suits guests who want a quiet, low-key reset.
Is the s’mores fire pit available year-round? The complimentary s’mores kit and fire pit are available with every stay from May through mid-November.
What outdoor activities are available on-site? Guests have access to more than 4 miles of walking trails across the lodge’s 100+ acre property, which includes tall grass prairie, canopied forest, and pond areas, plus a pool, fire pit, bocce ball, lawn games, hot tub, sauna, and on-site spa services.
What historic sites are near Cedar Crest Lodge? Mine Creek Civil War Battlefield State Historic Site, the Marais des Cygnes Massacre State Historic Site, and the Linn County Museum are all a short drive from the lodge and make for an easy half-day trip.
Are there wineries near Pleasanton, KS? Yes. Somerset Winery, Blue Dog Wine Co. & Tasting Room, Isinglass Estate, and Nighthawk Vineyard & Winery, all within about 10 miles of Cedar Crest Lodge.