Geary County: Water, Nature and History

Water, wildlife watching and history offer different perspectives on a trip focused on Geary County. Milford Reservoir covers about 15,700 acres of water and has 163 miles of shoreline. Its scale makes it a distinctive feature to consider when planning a trip. Alongside it are trails, wildlife-viewing spots and historical exhibits that appeal to very different interests.

Water and Trails at Milford Lake

Milford State Park is a diverse recreation area covering 1,084 acres at the southeastern end of Milford Lake. It offers more than 12 miles of trails. Together with the expansive body of water, this creates a contrast between the long shoreline and trails that make it easier to focus on activities on land. If you want to include both in your plans, consider how you’d like to spend each day of your trip.

Dedication Point also offers several ways to enjoy the outdoors: its amenities include a swimming beach, a playground, a large covered shelter, a large open area and fishing opportunities. The options range from spending time by the water to having room for group play or taking a break under cover.

Watch and Discover Nature

The Milford Nature Center grounds feature nature trails, a birdwatching observation blind, and an area for native gardens and habitats. The Nature Playground complements these features with play activities inspired by snakes and spiders. Nature watching, habitats and playful themes all come together on the same grounds, so a visit need not focus on just one topic.

Visitors to the Milford Fish Hatchery may walk around the outside of the rearing ponds. Tours are available by appointment; it’s best to confirm the details before you arrive. Viewing the outdoor areas and taking an arranged tour are two different ways to explore the hatchery. You can take this into account when planning your day without having to follow a fixed schedule.

Exhibits, Architectural History and the Performing Arts

The U.S. Cavalry Museum traces the development of the cavalry through galleries, dioramas and exhibits. The Fort Riley museums cover the history and traditions of the U.S. Cavalry from 1775 to 1950. The U.S. Cavalry Museum is open to visitors Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; check the schedule before your visit.

At the restored Starcke House, you’ll encounter a different aspect of history: the house serves as a historic home museum. Furniture and household objects from the Geary County Historical Society’s collections are displayed in an appropriately historic setting. The Geary County Historical Museum, meanwhile, features, among other things, a Main Street, a grandmother’s kitchen, Indigenous artifacts and the story of the construction of Milford Dam. The different exhibits bring history to life through domestic culture and everyday objects in one place, and through locations, artifacts and technological development in another.

The history of performance is also represented. The C.L. Hoover Opera House reopened to the public on October 3, 2008, after a 26-year hiatus, as a center for the performing arts and civic events. Programs held there have included music, dance, theater, musical theater, magic, acrobatics, comedy, classic and independent films, and children’s programs.

Junction City offers further connections to local history: the Downtown Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 19, 2006. The GAR Memorial Arch is significant for its connection to Junction City’s social history at the end of the 19th century and as a representative example of memorial architecture of the era. The First Presbyterian Church of Junction City is an example of the Neoclassical Revival style.

The Black History Trail of Geary County lists the Geary County Historical Society Museum at 530 N Adams St, Junction City, KS 66441, and the Buffalo Soldier Monument at 1810 Buffalo Soldier Dr, Junction City, KS 66441. Junction City is accessible via Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 77. If local history is especially important to your trip, you can use it as a guide when looking for a vacation rental; for other priorities, let the locations you plan to visit guide your choice.

A Look at the Wider Region

The Flint Hills around Junction City and Geary County offer numerous nature trails and scenic viewpoints. This broader regional perspective complements the specific themes of water, exhibits and local history with landscapes and views.

Discover more destinations: Seward County, Stevens County, Harper County, Pottawatomie County, Dickinson County, Allen, Labette.

Junction City offers a specific point of reference for local history and travel planning.

For the broader travel overview: Kansas.