A Bison Roaming Reroute

The Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, just east of the campground at McPherson State Fishing Lake, is one of the best places in America to view big, bellowing Bison in the wild. But hiking the American Discovery Trail route, which goes straight through the refuge, is now illegal!

A Bison Roaming Reroute
Bison crossing Pueblo Road in the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge - Kansas Tourism

We've shifted the trail in East-Central Kansas.

The Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, just east of the campground at McPherson State Fishing Lake, is one of the best places in America to view big, bellowing Bison in the wild.  

But hiking the official American Discovery Trail route, which goes straight through the refuge along Pueblo Road, is no longer the way.

And not because it's dangerous (which it is). But because it's illegal!

One of two signs along Pueblo Road announcing a no walking zone. - Photo Courtesy, Brad McKim

The Pueblo Road "No-Walking Zone" is one mile long and runs from just northeast of the McPherson State Fishing Lake diagonally southeast to where the road again bends to the east. At each end are cattle grids to keep the 'little dogies' inside the area.

We have updated our Kansas Segment 6 (McPherson to Herrington) maps and directions and Gaia GPS tracks and waypoints to include the safe reroute around that Bison boulevard.

Yes, you can still see the Bison at Maxwell.  They just prefer you reserve a ride in the safety and comfort of a tram.

KansasTravel.org photo

Hike Your Hike – John.

Hiking America is an independent navigation resource. This site is not authorized by, and has no affiliation with, the American Discovery Trail Society. Our routes are our own, developed and continuously verified through field research and hiker feedback. They are not the official route of the American Discovery Trail, are not derived from American Discovery Trail Society materials, and may deviate from the route marked with signage.