Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, National Wildlife Refuge and Ramsar site in central Kansas, United States
Quivira is a National Wildlife Refuge in central Kansas covering approximately 22,135 acres of salt marshes, sand prairies, and wetlands. The landscape supports over 300 bird species and creates diverse habitats shaped by water and saline conditions.
Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado arrived in this area in 1541 while seeking the legendary golden city of Quivira. His expedition shaped how this region became named and established a historical link that endures today.
The name Quivira comes from the Wichita people who once lived across this landscape. That heritage remains visible in how the refuge is known and remembered by those who visit today.
Visitors can explore the refuge along two main roads, walking trails, and an elevated boardwalk crossing marshlands and grasslands. Bringing water and wearing good shoes is important, especially during warmer months when conditions can be unpredictable.
The refuge contains 34 wetlands with high salt concentrations, a feature normally found only in coastal regions. This unusual element creates a distinctive landscape that gives an oceanic character to inland terrain.
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