|
Milford Lake
|
View from the overlook at the Steve Lloyd Wetlands
- All Photos by Jim Mason |
The Milford Lake region contains several areas of interest
for wildlife watchers. The entire reservoir plays host to a variety of
aquatic birds. They can be observed from Milford State Park, Milford
Wildlife Area, the reservoir dam, or any of the numerous access points. |
Great blue herons are most
visible in the summer. Spring and fall migrations bring the largest numbers of ducks,
geese, pelicans, and ospreys. During winter, bald eagles and some waterfowl are always
present. The dam provides a good vantage point for scanning the area.
|
Two views of the outstanding diorama
displays in the Milford Nature Center. |
Below the dam are Milford Nature Center and
Milford Fish Hatchery. Tours are available
by appointment only. The Tallgrass Nature
Trail begins at the nature center. A backyard habitat demonstration area features seasonal songbirds and butterflies.
While hiking the trail, watch for beaver, wood ducks, pheasants, quail, herons,
kingfishers, and during the summer, numerous six-lined racerunner lizards. The nature
center and hatchery are open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4:30 PM. From April through
October, the weekend hours are from 1 PM to 5 PM. Programs and tours can be
scheduled by calling (785) 238-5323.
While in the area, also visit the
Kansas Landscape Arboretum, near Wakefield
at the upper end of the lake on
the west side.
 | User fees. Restrooms, Showers, Boat Ramps, Swimming Beach,
Playground, Water available, Picnic
tables, Shelter buildings, Cabins. |
 Hundreds of
utility campsites and primitive campsites, 3 Cabins.
 Tallgrass Nature Trail (0.5 mile loop);
Wood Duck Trail (2 mile loop - includes the first);
Waterfall Trail (0.6 mile loop);
Crystal Trail (2.5 mile loop); Eagle Ridge Equestrian Trail (5.7 mile loop).
Click the icon to find birding lists for Clay, Dickinson, Geary and Riley Counties.
Click the icon to locate nearby Geocaches
For more Wildlife Watching sites in the Flint Hills, click
here
 Directions: Milford Reservoir,
near Junction City, is 5 miles north of 1-70
at Exit 295 and 2 miles west on K-57. Milford
Nature Center and Milford Fish
Hatchery are located below the dam.
Maps can be obtained at
the information center at the south end of the dam.
Ownership: The
US Army Corps of Engineers
manages Milford Lake. Contact them at (785) 238-5714
if you have specific questions about use or management of the lake.
Click here to visit
the US ACE Milford Lake web site.
37,000 acres
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
manages the Milford Nature Center (785)
238-5323 and Milford State Park
(785) 238-3014.
Click here to visit
the Milford Nature Center web site.
Click here to visit the
KDWP web page for Milford State Park.
You may download the KDWP brochure on Milford State Park from
that page.
Email the Park Manager.
|
Funded by the
Chickadee Checkoff Program
Click here for a brochure! |
The Natural
Kansas web site
©2009
by
the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
Re-publication of site content in any form other than for personal use
requires written permission. 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
|
