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Recreational Activities
Recreation in the Fort Riley region takes many forms.
Here are just a few suggestions to get you started...
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Hunting & Fishing
Year after year, sportsmen from most states and some foreign countries flock to these game-rich prairies. But rather than the buffalo that once roamed the plains, it’s birds that are the current draw. Some believe this region offers the finest overall bird hunting in a state that’s often rated as one of the best wingshooting states in the nation. Unlike some areas that offer decent gunning for just a single species, the coverts in this region offer a true smorgasbord for hunters. Bobwhite quail, pheasants, prairie chickens, and waterfowl are plentiful. Plus, the state of Kansas posts one of the highest spring turkey hunting success rates in the nation. And the northern Flint Hills consistently produces some of the finest whitetail bucks in the nation. |
With approximately 350,000 acres of
standing and flowing water, Kansas is one of the best
kept fishing secrets in the country. Area lakes are
filled with catfish, walleye, suageye, crappie, bass,
bluegill, wipers and rainbow trout, just to name a few.
Milford Lake, Kansas’ largest lake, is 5 miles
north of Junction City and only a 30-minute drive west
of Manhattan, and Tuttle Creek Lake, Kansas’ second
largest lake is located just five miles north of Manhattan.
Other area lakes include Pottawatomie State Fishing
Lakes No. 1 and No. 2, Geary State Lake 8 miles south
of Junction City, and Council Grove Lake south of I-70
on K-177.
Culture & the Arts
Just a short drive from Fort Riley, Manhattan, Kansas, offers a vast variety of culture and art. It is also home of Kansas State University. First time visitors to The Little Apple will be amazed at the opulence of arts and entertainment available. Manhattan offers private art galleries, theatrical production, professional artists, professional arts educators and arts presenters. Located on the K-State campus, McCain Auditorium hosts an array of outstanding artists and attraction each year. From ballet to Broadway, jazz to chamber music, comedy to classic theatre, McCain has something for almost every taste. The K-State campus also offers Nichols Theatre, which is home to numerous theatre and dance productions.
A short drive to the west will
bring you to Junction City, home to a thriving
Arts Council with a full calendar of gallery shows,
classes, and special events. The historic Junction
City Opera House is undergoing renovation and will
be a state of the art performing arts center.
The Little Theater features Junction City youth
in entertainment and performing art productions,
as well as summer workshop for children.To the
east you will find the historic Columbian Museum
and Theater in Wamego. You can enjoy dinner theater,
concerts, and Broadway musicals in this elegant
venue.
In addition to cultural experiences
available in Manhattan and Junction City, other
communities in the Fort Riley region offer a wide
array of museums and attractions ranging from
the OZ Museum in Wamego to the Eisenhower Library
in Abilene.
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Natural Splendor
Many scenic opportunities abound
for the nature enthusiast when visiting the northern
Flint Hills. There are opportunities to hike nature
trails through the Konza Prairie, an 8,600-acre
tallgrass prairie preserve, or view wildlife and
bald Eagles along Milford Lake trails. You can
camp in comfort by renting a cabin at Tuttle Creek
State Park and Milford or your can "rough
it" by pitching your tent at one of the many
campgrounds at Milford, Tuttle Creek, Council
Grove or the nearby state lakes. Those who prefer
a more civilized view of nature can visit the
K-State Botanical Gardens and Insect Zoo. But
regardless of your preferences, the Fort Riley
region allows you to experience first hand one
of the world’s most beautiful ecosystems. |
Links for more information:
 Sunset Zoo
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