Cheyenne Bottoms
Wildlife Area

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and parks operates 19,857 acres of the Bottoms as a wildlife management area. Nature enthusiast, hikers, birdwatchers and photographers will marvel at the wildlife and flora which depend on the marshland. Cheyenne Bottoms provides critical habitat for threatened and endangered birds including the whooping crane, peregrine falcon, bald eagle, piping plover and least tern. Coyote, red fox, raccoon, mule deer, white-tailed deer, opossum, bobcat and 17 other mammal species inhabit the Bottoms. In addition to outstanding bird and animal watching, visitors will find wheelchair accessible public restrooms, picnic table and a primitive campground.

"Amazingly! People won't believe what we've got right here in Great Bend, Kansas!" says a local naturalist. "There are 650 bird species in the United States, 417 in Kansas and 320 in Cheyenne Bottoms just seven miles from town! Besides birds, there are 23 species of mammals, 19 species of reptiles and nine species of amphibians and Quivira, only 40 minutes away offers almost a many."

"All wild life watchers should make an annual pilgrimage to Cheyenne Bottoms. . ." says Bob Gress, author of WATCHING KANSAS WILDLIFE.

This is the most important ecosystem in Kansas and the most important migration point for shorebirds in North America. From 45% to 90% of various shorebirds, geese and duck species stop at Cheyenne Bottoms. Over 100 species nest in the area and 63 species are permanent residents.

For current birding conditions call (620) 793-7730

How to get to Cheyenne Bottoms: From the intersection of Hwy 281 (Main Street) & Hwy 56 (10th Street), go north on Hwy 281 for six miles, then turn east two miles on NE 60 Rd to the Cheyenne Bottoms Headquarters. Follow the signs.

For more information about Cheyenne Bottoms go to
www.cheyennebottoms.net

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