Mined Land Wildlife Area

About

Mined Land Wildlife Area is one of Kansas's most distinctive public lands, occupying 14,500 acres of reclaimed coal mining territory in the southeastern corner of the state. From the 1920s through 1974, strip mining operations created a dramatic landscape of ridges, valleys, and over 1,000 lakes ranging from a quarter-acre to 50 acres with depths reaching 60 feet. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks acquired the bulk of the property through a major 8,208-acre donation from the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Company in 1981. The area now supports native grassland, oak-hickory forests, woody shrubs, and wetlands that provide habitat for deer, turkey, bobcat, beaver, mink, fox, and migratory waterfowl. A small bison herd roams near the northeast corner. Over 200 lakes are stocked for fishing, and the Trout Pit in Unit 30 is a popular year-round trout destination. Primitive dispersed camping is permitted throughout the wildlife area on a first-come, first-served basis. No developed campsites with hookups or services exist at the dispersed camping areas. Two rental cabins (Mine 19 and Coal Ridge) with full amenities overlook the trout lake in Unit 30 and can be reserved through ReserveAmerica. Off-road vehicles and horses are prohibited. Big Brutus, a massive historic coal-mining shovel, is displayed at a nearby museum.

Directions

Located in Southeast Kansas near West Mineral. Multiple access points exist across Cherokee, Crawford, and Labette counties. For Unit 30 (Trout Pit area): From US 400, go south on 100th NW to NW Lawton Road, then west 1/2 mile. The area office is at 7545 NW Belleview.