Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge

Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area spanning approximately 7,500 acres (3,000 hectares) along the Marais des Cygnes River in Kansas. The refuge contains hardwood forests, wetlands, and tallgrass prairie that create diverse habitats throughout the property.

The refuge was established in 1992 to protect the largest connected bottomland hardwood forest in Kansas. This conservation effort preserved one of the state's last significant natural landscapes.

The name comes from French settlers who called this region the 'Marsh of the Swans' because of the many water birds living in the wetlands. Today it remains a vital stopping point for these birds during their seasonal travels.

The refuge is open for various activities including birdwatching, hiking through forest trails, fishing, and seasonal waterfowl hunting. Spring migration season offers the best time to visit when large numbers of birds pass through the area.

The refuge is home to over 30 species of warblers, birds that are becoming increasingly hard to find elsewhere in the country. This remarkable diversity of these small migratory birds draws birders from across the region.

Location: Kansas

Inception: 1992

Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/marais_des_cygnes

GPS coordinates: 38.22500,-94.65000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:21