Cheyenne Bottoms & Kansas Wetlands Education Center

With 41,000 acres of wetlands, Cheyenne Bottoms near Great Bend, Kansas is the largest inland marsh in the United States. The 20,000 acre center belongs to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and is administered as the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. The Nature Conservancy owns an adjacent 7,300 acres which is administered as the Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve.

The heart of the Cheyenne Bottoms was acquired by the State in the 1940s & 50s, and dikes were built to create five large pools. The largest body of water is in the center of the Wildlife area and serves as a reservoir to manage water levels for water birds in the surrounding march.

For unique birding, Cheyenne Bottoms is the place to be. Any bird species can be seen here, anything from Loggerhead Shrike to Cinnamon Teal. At the 2003 Wings and Wetlands Festival, there were at least 180 species spotted by participants.

Also at Cheyenne Bottoms, one may see many forms of wildlife. Along the side of the road may be anything from a crayfish to a deer.

At Cheyenne Bottoms, the waters average less than a foot deep. It is also the largest interior marsh in the United States.

Great Bend is the center of the great Flyway. Birds rest here and refuel on their migration journey.

Cheyenne Bottoms is also ideal hunting grounds, from mammals to Waterfowl.

It has been said that a person leaves a mark wherever they have been. At Cheyenne Bottoms, one can see the mark left by many tribes and trails that have passed through.

Did you know that Cheyenne Bottoms held the first greyhound coursing match ( dog racing)?

Cheyenne Bottoms is designated as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Of the 50 states, only Kansas and Florida have more than two Ramar-designated wetlands.

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