Marais Des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Marais Des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge is located in eastern Kansas, covering an area of 7,500 acres.
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Summary
The refuge provides a habitat for over 270 bird species, along with other wildlife such as deer, beavers, and bobcats.
One of the main reasons to visit Marais Des Cygnes is for birdwatching. The refuge is home to a variety of waterfowl, including ducks, geese, and swans. Visitors can also spot bald eagles, ospreys, and a variety of songbirds.
The refuge's Visitor Center offers exhibits on the wildlife and habitats found in the area, along with educational programs for all ages. The area also offers hiking trails and fishing opportunities in designated areas.
Interesting facts about the refuge include its history as a wetland restoration project, as the area was once drained for agricultural use. The refuge also contains the largest remaining tract of bottomland hardwood forest in Kansas.
The best time to visit Marais Des Cygnes is in the spring and fall, when the migratory birds are passing through the area. However, the refuge is open year-round and offers unique experiences throughout the different seasons.
Overall, Marais Des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge offers a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty and wildlife of eastern Kansas.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Marais Des Cygne Wildlife Area
Marais des Cygnes Massacre State Historic Site
Peabody Conservation Area