Nearly 45 miles of public roads are accessible within, or adjacent to, Quivira. All but six miles of these roads are sand/gravel. Paved portions include the Sterling Road (NE 140th) and Raymond Road. All other roads are closed to public vehicles, and at the entrance of each such closed road you will see a sign like the one below. Wet conditions can make many of the roads difficult to traverse, due to slippery conditions and ruts. It is always wise to contact the Refuge, or check this website, for current conditions. Click on the "Alert" link on the right side of this page for road information.

The best way to experience Quivira by vehicle is to drive the Auto Tour Route. This portion of public road through the Refuge is about 15 miles from end to end, and includes a 5-mile section called the Wildlife Drive, allowing close-up view of the wetlands of Big Salt Marsh. Along this route, there are numerous places to stop, observe, and learn.

Several miles of maintained hiking trails are available at Quivira. In addition, all Refuge lands are open to foot travel during daylight hours, regardless of whether you hike on a trail or not. The exception would include any area closed due to Critical Nesting Habitat. Maintained trails include the Migrants Mile Trail, featuring two loops totaling over 1 mile in length. It passes through cattail marsh, prairie, and tree stands. At the south end, the Little Salt Marsh Trail complex includes a trail to a photo blind, another to the Kids Fishing Pond (see below), and a connector trail that leads to the Visitor Center. Click the "Maps" link to the right for detailed maps.

 Limited hunting is allowed at Quivira for dove, snipe, rail, waterfowl, pheasant, quail, rabbit, and squirrel. There is no hunting for deer, turkey, or sandhill cranes. Hunting is within Kansas-regulated seasons, but special dates may apply to Quivira hunts in some circumstances. Also, all state of Kansas regulations, such as licensing and bag limits, apply to Quivira hunts, unless otherwise stated in Quivira's hunting regulations.

Fishing is allowed in all waters of Quivira, but the most popular places to fish are where water is easily accessible. These include bank and pier fishing on the north and east sides of Little Salt Marsh, and a few access points along Rattlesnake Creek. Channel Catfish and Carp are the most common fish at Quivira. The Kids' Fishing Pond, located near the Visitor Center at the south end of the Refuge, is open to fishing for kids 14 and under. Adults may fish only if accompanying a child who is fishing.

Exploring the outdoors is a refreshing, educational, and often exciting way to spend a day.  There is something to interest the entire family, whether it is the sights and sounds of 10,000 geese taking flight, the footprints of a deer in the sand, or the smell of the salt marsh.  Be sure to visit early in the morning or late afternoon/evening (towards dusk).  These times are when the most animal activity occurs during daylight.

Quivira offers a true learning experience.  The Visitor Center, located at the Refuge's south end, has numerous interpretive displays, hands-on activities, and and helpful staff to help you.  Refuge leaflets, bird checklist, and other brochures about the Refuge and other area attractions are also available.  Interpretive programs and workshops, designed for the general public, are schedule periodically throughout the year.  In addition, wayside exhibits are located throughout the Refuge along the Auto Tour Route.

Quivira provides unique and exciting environments – excellent locations for hands-on learning activities in a true Outdoor Classroom.  Is your school, youth, environmental or other group interested in learning more about the wildlife, plants, habitats and ecology of a particular national wildlife refuge?  Contact or visit Quivira to check on program availability and reservation policies.  Refuges are wild places, and we want to teach you more about them!

Perhaps the fastest growing activity on national wildlife refuges in the past ten years has been wildlife photography.  Refuges provide enhanced opportunities to photograph wildlife in natural habitats by providing platforms, brochures, interpreters, viewing areas, and tour routes.  Wildlife photography is a high-priority activity in the Refuge System.  We welcome beginning and expert photographers alike to record their outdoor adventures on film, memory card or internal hard drive! 

There are several annual events held at Quivira, all free of charge, and all open to the whole family.