South-Central Kansas: Exploring nature and wildlife

Note: Thanks to Kansas Tourism for organizing a media trip. All opinions and views are ours.

Silhouetted against a back drop of Kansas’ rolling hills, a bison surveys the scenery as a herd grazes on prairie grass, young bulls playfully butt heads and calves follow their mothers, sticking close by their side.

More than 150 years ago, millions of bison – American buffalo – roamed the prairie, from Canada to Texas. Today, you’ll find bison surviving on ranches and at wildlife sanctuaries, such as Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, about a 30-minute drive southeast of Lindsborg.

Maxwell Wildlife Refuge is among attractions in South Central Kansas which offer nature and agritourism experiences.

Maxwell Wildlife Refuge

With 200 bison, Maxwell Wildlife Refuge also has 45 elk and 40 species of wildflowers.

Visitors enjoy an up-close experience with the wildlife as they ride a tram. Guides share information about the animals as the tram is parked and the animals come within a few feet of the vehicle.

Bison once numbered in the millions from Canada to the southern Plains. Indigenous Peoples relied on the large animal for food, as well as using the hide for clothing and housing. Bones and other body parts were used for tools, weapons and even water containers.

In an effort to kill or weaken Plains tribes, the federal government and Euro-Americans killed bison as sport. Photos can be seen of thousands of buffalo hides piled high with hunters proudly displaying their “accomplishments.” Other hunters shot the bison from trains, letting their bodies rot.

Nearing extinction with less than 1,000 existing by the end of the 19th century, James “Scotty” Philip, a South Dakota rancher and politician, realized bison needed to be saved. His work helped to rebuild herds to about 20,000 by 1935. Today, there are less than 500,000 bison in the United States.

Philip recalled seeing bison needlessly slaughtered along the Kansas railroads near his Victoria farm. The small town is located about 20 minutes east of Hays on Interstate 70.

Maxwell Wildlife Refuge seeks to promote prairie stewardship and growing the bison herd helps achieve that goal.

Each spring, calves are born. Nicknamed “Red Dogs,” because of the color of their hide, young bison typically have their brown color and begin weaning from their mother by six months old.

Maxwell Wildlife Refuge offers guided tours 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Reservations can be booked online.

Kanopolis State Park

Located outside Marquette in south-central Kansas, Kanopolis State Park is Kansas’ first state park, opening in 1955.

With boating, fishing, swimming and camping available, the park is also home to natural hiking trails. Hikers can experience nature over about 25 miles, choosing from seven trails. Most trails are open year-round, with Horsethief Canyon Trail 5.5 miles long. Rockin’ K Trail covers four miles. Split Boulder, Buffalo Track Canyon and a wildlife viewing area are shorter trails open daily.

Visit the cliffs where Native American hunters cornered bison. A nearby cave was used to dry bison meat.

At about eight miles, Alum Creek is the longest trail route at Kanopolis State Park. Prairie Trail covers about six miles. The trails, available for walking, mountain biking and horseback riding, are open Feb. 1-Oct. 31.

Mushroom Rock State Park

At five acres, Mushroom Rock State Park is the smallest of Kansas’ 28 state parks. Located about 20 miles from Marquette, the park features rock formations resembling toadstools.

With the largest rock about 30 feet in diameter, the unique rock formations are the results of sand beaches and sediment from a sea that covered the region during the Cretaceous Period, 66 to 144 million years ago.

Named as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography by the Kansas Sampler Foundation, Mushroom Rock State Park served as a meeting place and natural landmark by Indigenous Peoples and Euro-Americans during their westward migration.

Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve

Millions of birds, consisting of more than 300 species, spend time at the Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve.

Among the birds frequenting more than 41,000 acres of wetlands are bald eagles, whooping cranes, peregrine falcons, least terns and piping plovers. You’ll even find white pelicans enjoying brief stays in the pristine water.

A stopover for migrating birds in the Central Flyway, it’s common to find birds at the preserve year-round, but the largest numbers come during late fall and early spring migrations.

With Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve occupying about 8,000 acres, the remaining 33,000 acres are natural wetlands.

Cheyenne Bottoms is also home to a wildlife education center, featuring a variety of Plains-centric animals. During our visit, we met an adult opossum. He was friendly, and the handler allowed visitors to pet him.

Tallgrass Prairie Natural Preserve

Located in the heart of Kansas’ Flint Hills, the Tallgrass Prairie Natural Preserve embodies the area’s dedication to the historic wild grass. Reminiscent of the prairie grass encountered by Native Americans, and later Euro-American settlers, the preserve is also home to wildflowers.

The Flint Hills is the country’s largest prairie grass region. With trails open daily, Tallgrass Prairie Natural Preserve in Strong City is a partnership between the Nature Conservancy, which owns the property, and the National Park Service, which manages it.

Trails take visitors deep into the heart of the prairie, with grass standing more than six feet tall. Wildflowers can be viewed along walks.

The preserve also includes a vintage ranch once located in the area. Spring Hill Farm and Stock Ranch features a three-story house, built for Stephen F. Jones, using a fusion of Renaissance style with Plains vernacular. A carriage house and barn are also located at the preserve.

Kansas Maze Sunflowers

What seems to have become an annual visit for us, Kansas Maze Sunflowers near Buhler offers an agritourism experience.

With more than 16 acres of sunflowers available mid-August through mid-September, visitors can walk through rows of the majestic plant, stopping for photo opportunities using props located throughout the field.

Kansas Maze Sunflowers has added a few acres of zinnias. The colorful flowers add to the beauty of the 100-year-old farm.

The attraction hosts a sunflower festival and other events during its season.

From close-up views of bison and elk to hiking prehistoric trails, Kansas astounds with combining history and nature. Bring your camera and hiking boots as you’ll create lasting memories.