Stretching 76.7 miles through the heart of Kansas, the Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway offers an extraordinary journey through one of America’s most important migratory bird corridors. This National Scenic Byway winds from St. John northward to Hoisington, passing through a landscape where vast prairie skies meet shimmering wetlands teeming with life.

The route showcases Cheyenne Bottoms, one of the largest interior marshes in the United States and a critical stopover for millions of migrating shorebirds, waterfowl, and endangered whooping cranes. Nearby Quivira National Wildlife Refuge adds another 22,000 acres of salt marshes, grasslands, and sand prairies to explore. Bring binoculars—you may spot white pelicans, sandhill cranes, or hundreds of other species that call these wetlands home.

Beyond the wildlife, the byway reveals the quiet beauty of rural Kansas: golden wheat fields stretching to the horizon, historic small towns, and sunsets that paint the prairie in spectacular oranges and reds.

Best Time to Visit: Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer peak bird migration. Allow 2-3 hours for the drive, though wildlife enthusiasts will want a full day to explore the refuges and walking trails along the way.

Explore Nearby

• Wilson State Park — State Park in Kansas
• Webster State Park — State Park in Kansas