Milford Nature Center

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Milford Nature Center If you want to see living examples of Kansas wildlife, this is the place to visit! Open 9-4:30 Mon-Fri., Weekends April through September, 1-5. FREE.

Located near beautiful Milford Reservoir in the Flint Hills of Kansas, the Milford Nature Center provides visitors with a better understanding of the natural communities of Kansas. At the center, visitors have the chance to see and touch native animal furs, print their own animals tracks, and use their sense of touch to identify natural mystery items. Dioramas line the halls, depicting an aquatic ...system with over 300 life-like fish, turtles, snakes, and insects and a terrestrial system showcasing wildlife from the prairies, marshes, and woods. Live animal exhibits feature snakes, amphibians, turtles, lizards, prairie dogs, and many more. Outdoors is a large bird of prey exhibit featuring many native raptors including both a Bald Eagle and a Golden Eagle. Nature trails, the birdwatching wall, and a backyard habitat area can also be enjoyed on the center's grounds. The educational sites housed in these areas demonstrate how to attract birds, butterflies, and other animals to your backyard. The Butterfly House Exhibit is open from late May through early October (weather and butterflies permitting). The Nature Playground has quickly become a favorite among visitors. This playground gives you a chance to slide through the belly of a snake or jump on the back of a spider. A picnic shelter can be found next to the playground area and is available on a first come, first serve basis.

Monster Myths By Moonlight  Recap! 🎃🕷️🦇 A very special thank you to Milford State Park - Kansas Wildlife & Parks, the vo...
10/13/2026

Monster Myths By Moonlight Recap! 🎃🕷️🦇 A very special thank you to Milford State Park - Kansas Wildlife & Parks, the volunteers who guided groups, trunk-or-treat vendors, and the guests who participated. We can confidently say- more than a few myths were busted about our misunderstood wildlife. Share your favorite stories and drop your photos below ⬇️

We are counting down the hours until Monster Myths By Moonlight  ! Did we mention that Smokey Bear will be at the Trunk ...
10/10/2026

We are counting down the hours until Monster Myths By Moonlight ! Did we mention that Smokey Bear will be at the Trunk or Treat with Kansas Forest Service?! 🐻 Get your picture with one of our favorite conservation icons tomorrow, from 4:30-7:30pm at Milford State Park - Kansas Wildlife & Parks before departing for the trail. 🦇🕸️🦊

Heads up!! To prepare for Monster Myths By Moonlight  at Milford State Park, the Nature Center will be closed to guests ...
10/08/2026

Heads up!! To prepare for Monster Myths By Moonlight at Milford State Park, the Nature Center will be closed to guests on Saturday, October 10th. We will be back to normal hours on Tuesday, October 13th from 9am-5pm! Thank you 🎃 👻

This Saturday is our annual Monster Myths By Moonlight  at Milford State Park - Kansas Wildlife & Parks! Start your even...
10/06/2026

This Saturday is our annual Monster Myths By Moonlight at Milford State Park - Kansas Wildlife & Parks! Start your evening at the Trunk or Treat, beginning at 4:30pm located at the splash pad. Afterwards, hop on a hayride to journey through the wooded trail, debunking myths about our favorite Kansas "monsters" along the way. Learn more about the event & sign up for your time slot here: https://www.facebook.com/share/19u16SKcXc/

A very rainy day at the 33rd annual Milford Lake EcoMeet! Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who p...
10/02/2026

A very rainy day at the 33rd annual Milford Lake EcoMeet! Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who participated. This was one to remember! 🌧️

Want to learn more about EcoMeet? Check out https://www.kansasecomeet.org 🌳

09/28/2026

Patiently waiting for the sleepytime tea to kick in like… 🐻🫖

Along with being nocturnal by nature, our ambassador skunk is tuckered from her breakfast being served in a snuffle mat. This absolutely exhausting enrichment helps her utilize her acute sense of smell and foraging skills. We’re impressed with her tenacity but fear we may not hear from her until dinner. 🥱

We know what you’re thinking… so just hear us out. Yes, it may be alarming to find a mother caring for over 100 babies a...
09/14/2026

We know what you’re thinking… so just hear us out.

Yes, it may be alarming to find a mother caring for over 100 babies at one time. Please give her the grace she deserves.

No, she won’t be moving quickly and may be more territorial of her space due to this. She has 100 babies on her back to keep track of. 😬

Yes, despite the extra luggage she doesn’t stop her 9-5. She continues hunting pesky critters around your property, like brown recluse and roaches. Her offspring will continue her legacy. 💅

No, the males do not offer any support through this process… potentially because she ate him.

And yes, if one of her babies fall off, she will pause her journey and wait for them to crawl back on. 5 stars on Uber.

Please be kind to your local wolf spiders, as they pose very little threat to people and are beneficial to balancing pest populations. Their moms worked hard to raise them.

📸 credit: staff member, Jamie!

Our ambassadors deserve the best, and WaSu is living that life. 🤌  His new misting system helps keep him cool in the hea...
09/02/2026

Our ambassadors deserve the best, and WaSu is living that life. 🤌 His new misting system helps keep him cool in the heat and doubles as some fun enrichment!

Grab your bow and arrows and head on over to the Milford State Park to check out their brand new archery range!
09/02/2026

Grab your bow and arrows and head on over to the Milford State Park to check out their brand new archery range!

Address

3415 Hatchery Drive
Junction City, KS
66441

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17852385323

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