...       Tours & Special Events 
 
Prairie Tours -  the best way to view the Bison and Elk is by taking a guided prairie tour aboard a tram (our modern day covered wagon). We have three trams, one is handi-cap accessible. Approx. 60 persons can be accommodated at one time. The tour takes approx. 45 minutes to complete.
   Modern Day Covered Wagon

Tours are available year around by reservation. 
    For Reservations Call:  (620)-628-4455 
    Fee:  Adults - $8.00, Children under 12 - $5.00, Kids under 4 - FREE 

Educational Field Trips - Schools,  scouts,  4-H  groups, and Kindergarten thru 12th grade can  get a "hands on" experience  of the Kansas  prairie as it would have appeared in the1800's. Groups may also bring sack lunches to eat in the picnic area. 

Photography Tours - Groups wanting wildlife photos will be offered many stops  close to  the bison  and elk for  taking pictures. Special  reservations 
must be made for groups. 

Tours  consist of  traveling along  across a  prairie trail with a guide relating history of the area, identifying grasses, trees and wildflowers.  See bison up close and personal. 
 
 
 
Elk of Maxwell Wildlife Refuge
Elk  are seen only in winter approximately December through March.  Reservations can be  made for tours  during the winter especially to view the elk.  Bison will also be seen sporting their winter coats.
 
 
Maxwell  definitely  offers  beautiful views of the prairie and its inhabitants each season of the year.   The renewal that comes in spring with migrations of birds, grasses and wildflowers springing forth,  and  baby  buffalo  being born.  Summer  brings  warm  weather  for picnics  and  fishing.  Fall  brings  the changing colors of the trees to gold, the sumac to red and the grasses to beige and rust.  Winter, the prairie lies dormant sometimes covered with snow or ice.  The elk are sporting their full grown antlers and are seen out
in the open for winter tours. 
    
 

* We also offer a campfire Buffalo meal to groups (optional) served in the picnic area $10 per adult, $8 for children under 12. 


                                              Special Events

            

  • Spring Wildflower Tour - First Saturday of June, 10 A.M.
          Board the tram for tour of prairie with wildflowers and buffalo
          Self guided walking tour with flowers flagged

  • Fall Wildflower Tour - First Saturday of September, 10 A.M.
          Board the tram for tour of prairie with wildflowers and buffalo
          Self guided walking tour with flowers flagged
  • Horse Back Trail Rides - ( Must have own horse )
          Rides Spring and Fall where the buffalo roam, Call:   
          620-628-4455 for registration info. 
     
  • Mountain Man Rendezvous - First Friday, Saturday & Sunday of Oct.
              Mountain Men and Women demonstrate the life style of the early 1800's 
          with primitive camps, dressed in buckskins and furs. Traders, musical
          entertainment and concessions are found in the camp area. Excellent
          for school and scout field trips. Tours can be scheduled for groups to
    ..... take the buffalo tour. Flyer on request. Ph. 620-628-4455
  • Buffalo Auction
         Mid November selling approx. 100 head. Our buffalo are
         raised in a natural habitat of native prairie grassland, grazing
         year round, as they would have done in the early days of the
         prairie we now call Kansas. Most of the buffalo sold go to
         other buffalo ranches for breeding stock. For auction details
         phone 620.628.4592, Cliff Peterson, refuge manager.