Summary
The area was once used for surface mining, but now provides a diverse habitat for a variety of wildlife. There are several good reasons to visit the area, including hiking, camping, birdwatching, fishing, and hunting.
One of the most popular points of interest in the Mined Land Wildlife Area is the Mined Land Wildlife Area Trails System, which consists of over 40 miles of trails that wind through the rolling hills and grasslands of the preserve. The trails are open to hikers, bikers, and equestrians and offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
The area is also home to several large lakes that offer excellent fishing opportunities. The most popular lakes for fishing are the 4,500-acre Mined Land Wildlife Area Lake and the 1,200-acre Mined Land Wildlife Area Unit #30 Lake.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that it is home to several threatened and endangered species, including the bald eagle, the peregrine falcon, and the eastern massasauga rattlesnake. Additionally, the area is managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and is part of the larger Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism system.
The best time of year to visit the Mined Land Wildlife Area depends on what activities you are interested in. Spring and fall are the best times for birdwatching, while summer is ideal for camping and water sports. Hunting season runs from September through December, and the winter months offer excellent opportunities for ice fishing.
Weather Forecast
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
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Danny Elliott Park
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Kamp Siesta
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Big Brutus Museum
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Elmore Park
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East River Park
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