Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area

Kansas · Midwest

EasyOfficial Site

Habitat

WetlandMarshGrassland

Best Seasons

SpringFall

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

April-May

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Open 24 hours

About This Location

Cheyenne Bottoms is the largest inland marsh in the United States and a critical stopover for shorebirds in the Central Flyway. Up to 45% of the continent's shorebird population passes through during migration, making it a wetland of hemispheric importance.

Location

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Notable Species

White-rumped Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Wilson's Phalarope Whooping Crane Snowy Plover

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

3/4/202616377 13th Street, Lawrence, Kansas, US (39.066, -95.276)1 observed

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

3/4/202615900–16720 13th St, Lawrence US-KS 39.06590, -95.275611 observed

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

3/4/202616377 13th Street, Lawrence, Kansas, US (39.066, -95.276)1 observed

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

3/4/202616377 13th St, Lawrence US-KS 39.06567, -95.275191 observed

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

3/4/202616377 13th St, Lawrence US-KS 39.06567, -95.275191 observed

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

3/4/2026Wilson Lake (hunting area) NE of Sylvan Park (RS county)1 observed

American Avocet

Recurvirostra americana

3/4/2026Auto selected 38.10410, -98.489772 observed

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

3/4/202616377 13th Street, Lawrence, Kansas, US (39.066, -95.274)1 observed

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

3/4/2026R. Michael Rhoades Wetlands Park1 observed

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

3/4/202616377 13th Street, Lawrence, Kansas, US (39.066, -95.276)1 observed

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

3/4/202616377 13th Street, Lawrence, Kansas, US (39.066, -95.276)1 observed

Orange-crowned Warbler

Leiothlypis celata

3/4/202611801 W 78th Terr, Lenexa US-KS 38.98585, -94.720992 observed

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

3/3/2026East Park, El Dorado1 observed

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

3/3/2026East Park, El Dorado1 observed

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

3/3/2026East Park, El Dorado1 observed

White-winged Scoter

Melanitta deglandi

3/3/2026Gas WTP1 observed

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

3/3/2026El Dorado State Park, El Dorado US-KS 37.85127, -96.749421 observed

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

3/3/2026El Dorado State Park, El Dorado US-KS 37.85127, -96.749421 observed

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

3/3/2026El Dorado State Park, El Dorado US-KS 37.85127, -96.749421 observed

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

3/3/2026CAROLINA Wren Bridge. - 2297 Southwest 220th Street, Douglass, Kansas, US (37.505, -96.887)1 observed

Recent Observations

Western Meadowlark

Mt. Pleasant Rd. & Yocemento Ave. Pond

3/4/2026

14 birds

Sandhill Crane

Mt. Pleasant Rd. & Yocemento Ave. Pond

3/4/2026

36 birds

Common Goldeneye

Gardner Lake

3/4/2026

24 birds

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Gardner Lake

3/4/2026

6 birds

Eastern Bluebird

Gardner Lake

3/4/2026

4 birds

Red-breasted Merganser

Gardner Lake

3/4/2026

6 birds

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Gardner Lake

3/4/2026

3 birds

Gadwall

Gardner Lake

3/4/2026

4 birds

Canada Goose

Prairie Lake

3/4/2026

2 birds

Mourning Dove

Prairie Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Flicker

Prairie Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Cardinal

Prairie Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Harris's Sparrow

Prairie Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Prairie Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

House Sparrow

Prairie Lake

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Robin

Prairie Lake

3/4/2026

3 birds

Killdeer

Prairie Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Tree Sparrow

Prairie Lake

3/4/2026

6 birds

Downy Woodpecker

Prairie Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Chipping Sparrow

Prairie Lake

3/4/2026

3 birds

Birding Tips

1
Water levels vary greatly; check conditions before visiting
2
Spring migration peaks in late April to mid-May for shorebirds

Amenities

Parking

Auto Tour Route

Nearby Attractions

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

More in Kansas

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

Unique inland salt marshes with nesting Snowy Plovers and migrating Sandhill Cranes.

Birding Guides

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area for birding?▼

The best months to visit Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area for birding are April-May. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area?▼

Notable species at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area include White-rumped Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Wilson's Phalarope, Whooping Crane, Snowy Plover. The area supports wetland, marsh, grassland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area?▼

Birding at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area?▼

There is no entrance fee at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. Hours: Open 24 hours.

What amenities are available at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area?▼

Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area offers the following amenities: Parking, Auto Tour Route.