Facility Activities

You are invited to participate in several recreational activities during your visit. The Refuge is a wonderful place to observe migratory birds including waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, bald eagles, and several species of warblers. Common wildlife species that live on the Refuge year round include wild turkey, bobwhite quail, bobcat, and white-tailed deer. Flint Hills can be explored in a variety of ways. Drive the roads, walk the landscape, take photos, hunt or fish, or just observe wildlife.

Hunting

Once the Neosho River Valley was a rich mosaic of habitats, including prairie, wetlands and riparian corridors. Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge is protecting and restoring that habitat, providing a wildlife-rich environment. Located just to the west of one of the last and largest unplowed...

Fishing

Refuge waters include nine ponds and a small part of John Redmond Reservoir. The Neosho River flows approximately 20 miles through the refuge. Fishing is also available along Eagle Creek, Lebo Creek and Troublesome Creek. Fishing is permitted year-round within open areas of the refuge. Available...

Birding

Over 294 species of birds have been documented on the Refuge.  April and May are the best time of year for viewing songbirds and perching birds at the Refuge.  November is the peak of waterfowl migration and when the Refuge is alive with the sound of migrating ducks and geese.

Auto tour

Flint Hills Refuge offers an auto tour loop for your enjoyment or on days when weather does not cooperate with outdoor activities.  Signage is located throughout the loop providing information about Flint Hills Refuge and local wildlife. The tour loop is located in the Indian Hill Section...

Wildlife watching

Flint Hills has much more to offer than migratory birds.  With the diverse habitats mammals can be seen all over Refuge lands.  White-tailed deer, bobcats, coyotes, beaver, and even the occasional river otter can be seen on Refuge lands on any given day.

Flint Hills has an...

Photography
Whether you wield a smartphone or a zoom lens, you’ll find photo-worthy subjects at national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. Wildlife photography is a priority public use on national wildlife refuges, so you’ll find wildlife drives and blinds and overlooks to help you get the images you’re after.