Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge

Welcome to Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge nestled in the hills of and valley of Kansas’s north fork of the Solomon River. This refuge is where the shortgrass prairie of the west meets the tallgrass prairie of the east and thus boasts a diversity of plants and wildlife.

Refuge History: Long before the arrival of European settlers Native Americans hunted this land’s abundant herds of bison. In 1954, Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge was established in order to help control flooding and provide refuge for migratory birds. This was the first National Wildlife Refuge established in Kansas.

Wildlife: The wetlands, grasslands, and riparian forest of Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge help protect the home of numerous wild critters including 34 mammal species, 31 reptile and amphibian species, and nearly 200 bird species. Please treat their home with respect.

For the lover of the outdoors this refuge boasts walking trials, awesome wildlife viewing opportunities, and so much more. Come on out and have a blast!