Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, Kansas
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
On the sprawling prairies of Kansas lies Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, a nearly 20,000-acre nature preserve where visitors can get up close and personal with the many birds, fish, and animals that call Kansas home. Cheyenne Bottoms is a beautiful place to enjoy outdoor recreation and see nature at its finest, and it’s a destination that really comes alive when you’re behind the wheel of a rented RV. If a family vacation in nature is at the top of your list, explore this guide to planning a camping and wildlife-filled trip through the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife area of Kansas.
Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area might be the single best place for birdwatching anywhere in the United States, period. If it isn’t, it’s certainly one of the top contenders with the many hundreds of bird species that call the preserve home either year-round or as part of their migration along the Central Flyway. This guide provided by the rangers at the park offers just a glimpse at the variety of species you might find during your visit, with many representations of everything from jays and finches to sparrows, hummingbirds, ducks, geese, grouses, and much, much more.
Of special note is the shorebird population at the preserve. Depending on the time of year you visit, the most common bird you see could be anything from yellowlegs to stilt sandpipers, peeps, and avocets. The guide linked to above offers an in-depth look at what’s most common on a month-to-month basis, so you can research and plan your trip in advance and know what to expect.
Though they aren’t as numerous as the many birds at Cheyenne Bottoms, there’s also a thriving population of mammals throughout the park. In fact, at least 43 species have been identified within the wildlife area, representing a huge variety of the kinds of mammal species you’d expect to see in the United States. Both mule deer and white-tailed deer are found in abundance, as are the coyotes, bobcats, and other carnivores that seek them out as prey.
Nine-banded armadillos are a populous resident of the area, as well. There’s a huge array of smaller mammals you may find anywhere in the area, including jackrabbits, hares, prairie dogs, opossums, shrews, voles, and many distinct species of rats and mice. At night, you might catch a glimpse of one of the five bat species that reside in the park.
The wetlands at Cheyenne Bottoms also make for a great environment for amphibians and reptiles. There are nine species of amphibians living in the wildlife area, including the western tiger salamander and a wide variety of toads and frogs like the American bullfrog, boreal chorus frog, plains leopard frog, and more. It’s not hard to spot any of these species on a hike around the wetlands.
There are also 24 species of reptiles, representing lizards, snakes, and turtles. Diamondbacks and rattlesnakes keep visitors on their toes as they hike but there also docile species of snake like the common garter snake. Keep your eyes peeled for massive snapping turtles as well as colorful species like painted turtles, yellow mud turtles, and more.
With so much animal life, hunting is an important part of the conservation efforts in the area. All hunters must have a hunting license from the state of Kansas, plus a Daily Hunt Permit, which is available at any of the entrances to Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. With the paperwork sorted, expect ample opportunities to bag big game like white-tailed deer, but also smaller species like pheasant, snipe, rail, and quail.
Some portions of the area are off-limits to hunters, namely pools 1 and 5, and the refuge area in particular. Throughout the rest of the pools, however, waterfowl hunting is a major draw to Cheyenne Bottoms to the extent that they recommend coming on a weekday during waterfowl season to help with congestion. If you do, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best duck hunting anywhere in the country. For more information about hunting at Cheyenne Bottoms, refer to this guide from the park.
Hiking might be one of the most obvious ways to explore Cheyenne Bottoms and see all the wildlife on display, but why not make full use of your RV rental while there? A designated driving tour of the marshes takes at least 45 minutes but can last much longer if you take your time to stop and admire the hundreds of species you might see. This driving tour guide breaks down the entire experience and makes it easy to hit the road and see what you will find.
Tours start at the southeast entrance to the wildlife area and take visitors along several key stops. First, you’ll get a look at the complex dam system that controls the water levels in the area and makes the habitat perfect for the many species there. From there, you’ll stop at the observation tower, which offers incredible views of the expansive wildlife area. See specific stops designed to provide you with a look at local birds, at the homes of the area’s beavers and other mammals, and the park’s popular hunting grounds.
Conveniently located near several major highways, Lighthouse Landing RV Park & Cabins offers guests a step back in time, and it all starts with their management office, which is located inside an old frontier schoolhouse. Guests love the affordable rates and full-hookup RV campsites set in a quiet, quaint slice of Kansas prairie.
Triple ‘J’ RV Park in Russell, Kansas, is a quintessential RV campground with 70 sites that can accommodate even the largest of rented RVs. Each site has full water, sewer, and electric hookup ranging from 30 to 50 amps. Free Wi-Fi and cable add to the value here, as do the on-site playground, laundry and shower facilities, and clubhouse.
If you’re looking for a no-frills RV camping experience in Kansas, you can’t do better than Hoisington RV Park in Hoisington, Kansas. This small, 12-site campground offers 20 and 50-amp electric hookups at every site, plus water hookups, back-in sites, and a great restroom facility with hot showers.
Wilson State Park in Kansas is home to two campsites that accommodate RVs. The first is Hell Creek Campground, which offers dozens of campsites. Some have full hookups, some offer just water and electric, and some just electric—so you should have no problem booking the exact type of campsite you need to make the most of your rented RV.
The second Wilson State Park campground is Otoe Campground. This campground offers 80 campsites, all of them paved. Nearly half of these offer electric and water hookups, and sites are located right on Wilson Reservoir where your family can enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, and other great outdoor activities during your stay.
The Page is a traditional sports bar offering pub food and a great place to watch a college football game. Playa Azul Mexican Restaurant & Grill is the city’s top Mexican spot with all your south-of-the-border favorites. For an authentic taste of Thai cuisine, Sarocha Thai Restaurant is a local favorite. Mizumi offers excellent sushi, and Mr. Burger is a go-to fast food joint with burgers and chicken fingers the kids will love.
For more information about Great Bend, Kansas, including top restaurants in the city, visit the Explore Great Bend website.