Spring River Wildlife Area

Bordering the Spring River in Cherokee County, the Spring River Wildlife Area falls just within the Ozark Plateau region. Habitat in the 424-acre area includes oak and hickory forest, native prairie, restored native grasses, and croplands. A sandstone ridge overlooks the river. An additional 62-acre tract of the wildlife area is one mile northeast of Riverton on the upper end of Empire Lake.

Uses for the area include hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing, mushroom and berry gathering, and fishing. Some fish and mussel species in the river are common to the Ozarks but not Kansas. Fish include channel catfish, flathead catfish, drum spotted bass, smallmouth bass, and longear sunfish. The river is only accessible on foot from a small parking area.