Maxwell Wildlife Refuge - McPherson County Kansas

The Maxwell Wildlife Refuge in Kansas is the dream of John Gault Maxwell. It was his dream to make it so every person in Kansas could experience what it was like in the 1800’s with buffalo roaming free on the open prairie. John Maxwell set up his settlement in Battlehill Township, which is located in McPherson County. He was fascinated with the beautiful buffalo and it was his desire to create a wildlife refuge for future generations of Kansas residents. When John Maxwell’s sons passed away, his dreams were realized when the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge was born.

Today, 2800 acres of the natural prairie complete with gentle hills, springs, creeks and native wildflowers are home to 50 elk and 200 bison. Visitors can come to the wildlife refuge and view these animals in all their magnificent glory.

Located in the central southeastern part of Kansas, the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge can be reached easily from any major highway. Signs for the refuge can be found and followed easily. Tours are available year round, but visitors must call ahead for reservations (620) - 628-4455. The guided tour lasts approximately forty-five minutes, and visitors are conducted through the refuge on an open tram that allows them to see the wildlife up close and personal. The guide is there to give information and history, answer questions, and point out things of interest along the way. The cost for the tours is $8 for adults, children ages 4-12 are $5 and children under the age of four are admitted free of charge.

Each season has specific sights, and visitors who have taken the tour in more than one season marvel at the different things there are to see and experience. Elk are mainly seen only in the winter months, from December to March, but the bison can be viewed year round, along with many other types of native wildlife. Visitors can choose to partake of the campfire buffalo cookout meal, which costs $10 for adults and $8 for children under the age of 12.

There are many special events held throughout the year at the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge. For instance, Prairie Days, which are held the first weekend of June give visitors a chance to step back into the 1800’s and see what life was like. For horse owners, the refuge offers Spring and Fall buffalo tours. On the first Friday and Saturday of October, the refuge hosts the Mountain Man Rendezvous on the Prairie. This is an excellent chance to see more of Kansas history in action. In mid November, the refuge has a Buffalo Auction, to sell some the buffalo herd for breeding stock.

While one of the goals of the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge is to preserve the prairie and the animals that roam there, they also want to share a part of Kansas history with the visitors to inform, delight and enjoy what the refuge has to offer.