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My family and I visited the Milford Nature Center today at Junction City, Kansas. If you ever find yourself traveling through Kansas on I-70 in need of a rest stop, this is one stop that is well worthwhile. I have seen the signs while passing through the area many times but today was the first time we have ever stopped for a visit.

Located at 3415 Hatchery Drive just north of Junction City, this is a hidden gem that I have always passed by without stopping until today.  Tomorrow is the first day of school for my daughter, so we decided to squeeze in one more family outing.

I was very impressed with what we found, and you can’t beat the price… free! We found several wildlife exhibits, including reptiles, birds of prey, and a very cool butterfly house we could walk through. There were a couple of amazing dioramas of Kansas wildlife scenes. We spent a long while trying to find all of the different creatures that were hidden in the display, in “Where’s Waldo?” fashion.

My favorite thing we saw today was the Milford fish hatchery located near the Milford nature center. We just happened to arrive at feeding time, and my kids were amazed as the big “wiper” fish thrashed about chasing after their meal. We saw bass, catfish, and wipers. According to the official website, guided tours are offered on weekends at 1:00 pm or by appointment. I would highly recommend this to any class in the region looking for a field trip destination. There are plenty exhibits to see, including some hands-on activities. There is a very nice playground area and a beautiful nature trail that I’m glad we took the time to explore.

This was one of the best Kansas destinations we have visited as a family in a very long time. It includes a very reasonably priced souvenir & gift shop. Check it out if you get the chance!

Tags: wildlife fishing

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