The Wetlands & Wildlife Scenic Byway provides a natural, rural experience. Along the route that extends through Barton, Reno, and Stafford counties in central Kansas, hills roll into the horizon while trees dot the landscape and streams wind down the hillsides. But the real jewels of the byway are Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, two of the largest wetland ecosystems in the world. They anchor the drive with amazing natural beauty and endless possibilities for exploring nature, providing opportunities for hiking, viewing wildlife, and one-of-a kind bird-watching.
Cheyenne Bottoms is a huge basin covering 20,000 acres where 320 of the 417 species of birds in Kansas can be seen. It is considered the largest marsh in the interior of the United States and has been designated as a Wetland of International Importance by international treaty. While visiting Cheyenne Bottoms, stop by the scenic overlook for an elevated view of the entire basin and go for a hike along one of the many dikes. Adjoining Cheyenne Bottoms is the Nature Conservancy Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve. The conservancy seeks to preserve and maintain the vital wetlands so that the multitudes of migrating birds that have relied on the marshes for thousands of years will continue to have a safe haven. So make sure to bring your binoculars for some high-quality bird-watching!
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge is home to 22,135 acres of prairie grass, salt marshes, sand dunes, canals, dikes, and timber. During the spring migration, Quivira is a staging area for over 500,000 birds. Enjoy the sights while hiking along one of many trails like Birdhouse Boulevard and the wheelchair accessible Migrant's Mile Nature Trail. Quivira also offers an educational visitor center for curious nature lovers where you can measure how tall you are compared to a Whooping Crane and enjoy other interpretive panels. Go for a drive along the four-mile Quivira National Wildlife Refuge Drive to see views of the Big Salt Marsh and the surrounding habitat.
Whether it is hiking, wildlife viewing, or bird-watching, there will always be plenty to do along the Kansas Wetlands & Wildlife Scenic Byway.
Birding on the Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway