Hiking Wildlife Drive at the Quivira Wildlife National Refuge in Stafford, Kansas, was a great experience and one that I highly recommend.

The Quivira Wildlife National Refuge is in the Sandhills Region of Kansas. The terrain is pretty flat with salt marshes, sandy soil covered in prairie grasses, and dotted with cottonwood and black locust trees.

It’s a strange feeling when you’re walking around because it has kind of a beachy atmosphere.

The big attractions at the refuge are the bird migrations that happen throughout the year. Thousands of birds come to this spot to rest, regroup and refuel while traveling to their next destination. If you like birds or birdwatching, this is the place to go.

Now, I’m not a birdwatching guy…I’m a hiking guy.

A small issue with the Quivira Wildlife National Refuge is, their hiking trails aren’t very long. I think the longest one is half a mile.

While driving through the park, I found Wildlife Drive. It’s a dirt road that loops through the salt marshes and gives you lots of chances to view migratory birds.

You may be thinking that it’s not a real hiking trail, but I wouldn’t let that small detail stop you from experiencing this place.

You might also be asking, “If it’s a dirt road, why not just drive it?”

I’ve driven it and hiked it, and hiking Wildlife Drive is much better. You get the full experience, with the sights, smells, sounds and personal encounters. You just don’t get all of that from a vehicle.

The hike itself is pretty easy. I parked in a parking lot right across the main road from the entrance to Wildlife Drive.

The road curves southward a few times as it weaves through the marshes. You’ll come to the Big Salt Marsh, which is a pretty impressive body of water that’s adjacent to the road.

From there you’ll head north with marshes on both sides of the road. Once you get to the main road, you’ll go east to get back to your vehicle. It’s five miles total.

There weren’t any huge migrations during the time I went, and even still, there were a lot of birds and tons of wildlife activity.

Bird watching may be the main attraction, but the Quivira Wildlife Refuge has much more to do. They have a visitor’s center that’s open during the week; you can fish in any of the ponds/marshes; and they have a few areas dedicated to hunting.

This is also a great place to ride bikes or ride horses. The gravel roads are really well maintained and there’s not a lot of traffic. Riding your bike or horse through the park would also get you up close and personal with wildlife.

The Sand Hills Region is a really interesting part of the state. Hiking the Wildlife Drive at Quivira Wildlife National Refuge will let you experience this unique place in Kansas.

I hope you put it on this year’s list of road trips!

Safe travels!

Matt McCoy, writer and photographer, Rugged Kansas

Location: Quivira Wildlife Refuge, northeast of Stafford, Kansas

Fees: No.

Dogs: Dogs and other pets must be under the owner’s control at all times.  From March 1 through July 31, all dogs and other pets must be leashed.

Activities: Hiking, Biking, Horseback Riding, Scenic Drives, Birdwatching

(Horseback riding is permitted, but for safety purposes, Refuge staff must be notified before any riding activities take place.  Horses are restricted to established roads and are prohibited on all hiking trails.)

Trail Construction: Gravel Road, Loop Trail.

Trail Length from Description Above: 5 miles

Camping: No camping in the park.

Features: Wildlife, Open Prairie, Meadows, Sand Hills, Salt Marshes, Birdwatching Structures

Hazards: There’s no shade on this trail, be sure to bring sunscreen and have plenty of water to prevent heat related injuries. There are prairie dog holes everywhere, be careful to not step in one and twist your ankle. This region can be pretty windy, apply Chap Stick, lip balm and/or facial cream to prevent chapped skin.

Historical Significance: I have a particular interest in Stafford. It’s where my ancestors (the McCoy’s) settled in the late 1800s. When my grandfather’s parents passed away when he was young, he was raised by the Crawford’s, one of the town’s founding families.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s website, “Quivira National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1955 to provide and protect vital habitat for migratory waterfowl in the Central Flyway.  Its 22,135 acres feature a unique combination of rare inland salt marsh and sand prairie.  Many opportunities exist for the visitor to explore this oasis of the Great Plains.”

Websites:

https://www.staffordcounty.org/quivira-national-wildlife-refuge.html

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Quivira/

Other Kansas hiking trails you may like:

The hiking trails at Sand Hills State Park

The hiking trails at the Chaplin Nature Center

Badger Creek Trail North at Fall River Lake