Jamestown Wildlife Area

Jamestown upper lake
The view above North Dam
All photos on this page by Jim Mason

This complex wetland is alive with many sights, sounds, and smells. Dams and dikes on Marsh Creek produced two large, shallow lakes with cattail marshes, an ideal place for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. The best viewing seasons are from mid-February into May and from late August through November.

Bluewing marsh
Bluewing Marshes viewed from the overlook

The two best viewing sites are at the bridge between the lakes 0.5 miles west of the information area near the north dam and on the K-148 bridge over Marsh Creek.   For an overview of the entire valley, use the scenic overlook at the north end just east of the bridge on K-148.  The south lake has a road bordering its east shore that is also an excellent viewing area.

Common ducks include redheads, ring-necked ducks, lesser scaup, mallards, green-winged teal, American wigeons, northern pintails, northern shovelers, blue-winged teal, ruddy ducks, common goldeneyes, buffleheads, and common mergansers. Greater white-fronted, snow, and Canada geese are also common. Other water birds include herons, avocets, terns, sandpipers, plovers, kingfishers, cormorants, and white pelicans. Look for the domed huts of the muskrats that thrive among the stands of cattails. With patience, you will eventually catch a glimpse of these water-loving mammals. Water turtles are plentiful.

bulletPit toilets, shallow boat landings.

Camping icon Primitive camping only.
Trail icon No developed trails.

Click here to get county birding lists for Kansas. Click the icon to find a birding list for Republic County.

Find nearby Geocaches! Click the icon to locate nearby Geocaches

Jamestown map

Directions: From Concordia (55 miles north of Salina) take U.S. 81 north 8 miles to K-148. Go west 12.5 miles on K-148 to Courtland Road. Drive south 2.5 miles to the information and restroom area on the east side between the lakes.w32

Location in Kansas

Ownership: The entity responsible for management of Jamestown is the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.  If you have specific questions about use or management of the site, contact them at (785) 753-4971.  3,939 acres
Click here to visit their website.
You may download the brochure for Jamestown here.

Northwest Kansas North Central Kansas Northeast Kansas Southwest Kansas South Central Kansas Southeast Kansas

Chickadee Checkoff logo
Click here for a brochure!

©2007 Kansas Nature-Based Tourism Alliance
Re-publication of site content in any form other than for personal use requires written permission.

This web site is underwritten by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks through the Chickadee Checkoff Program.  If you are a Kansas resident, please assist with this and other wildlife viewing and conservation programs by contributing to the Chickadee Checkoff on your state tax form.

Questions or comments about Natural Kansas may be directed to Jim Mason