Discover Geary County

A trip to Geary County can bring together nature, trails, and history. Its highlights range from expansive waterfront landscapes and natural areas to museums and historic architecture. When planning your stay, you can choose different areas of interest and select places to visit according to your own interests.

Nature and Trails

Milford Reservoir encompasses about 15,700 acres of water and 163 miles of shoreline. These figures give an idea of the reservoir's scale. Milford State Park is a 1,084-acre recreation area at the southeastern end of Milford Lake. It has more than 12 miles of trails. The reservoir and park offer different options for planning a visit focused on either the waterside landscape or the trails.

The Milford Nature Center grounds feature nature trails, a birdwatching observation wall, and an area with natural gardens and habitats. Here, visitors can experience a variety of habitats as well as watch birds. The Nature Playground offers something different, with play features inspired by snakes and spiders.

A visit to Milford Fish Hatchery can also include a specific activity. During your visit, you are welcome to walk around the outside of the rearing ponds. Tours of the hatchery are available by appointment. Arrange your visit in advance if you plan to take a tour.

Museums and History

The museums at Fort Riley present the history and traditions of the U.S. Cavalry from 1775 to 1950. The United States Army's Cavalry Museum traces the development of the cavalry through galleries, dioramas, and exhibits. The focus is both on the historical period and on the different ways its story is presented.

In Junction City, the Downtown Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 19, 2006. The city's historic heritage also includes the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Memorial Arch. Its significance lies both in its connection to Junction City's social history in the late 19th century and in the fact that it is a representative example of memorial architecture from that era. First Presbyterian Church of Junction City is an example of the Neoclassical Revival style.

Historic homes and museum exhibits offer further insights. The restored Starcke House serves as a historic house museum. Its displays include furniture and household items from the collections of the Geary County Historical Society, presented in an appropriate historic setting. The Geary County Historical Museum features, among other things, exhibits about a Main Street, a grandmother's kitchen, Indigenous artifacts, and the creation of Milford Dam.

The Black History Trail of Geary County lists the Geary County Historical Society Museum at 530 N Adams St, Junction City, KS 66441. It also lists the Buffalo Soldier Monument at 1810 Buffalo Soldier Dr, Junction City, KS 66441. These specific addresses help visitors locate both sites in Junction City.

Cultural Attractions and Visit Planning

The C.L. Hoover Opera House reopened to the public on October 3, 2008, after a 26-year hiatus. It serves as a center for the performing arts and civic events. Over the course of its history, it has hosted music, dance, theater, musical theater, magic, acrobatics, comedy, classic and independent films, and children's programs. This list describes the range of past programming, not a current event calendar.

The U.S. Cavalry Museum is open to visitors Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check these hours before your visit. Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 77 are key road connections for traveling to Junction City. If you'd like to combine nature and history, you can use this guidance to choose the museums and trails that best suit your interests.

The Wider Region

Beyond the city itself, the Flint Hills around Junction City and Geary County offer numerous nature trails and scenic viewpoints. This regional perspective complements the specific trail and museum themes with outdoor experiences in the surrounding area. When planning your trip, you can weigh visiting individual attractions against taking in the wider Flint Hills landscape.

Discover more destinations: Junction City, Norton County, Russell County, Trego County, Wilson, Pawnee, Reno County, Mcpherson County.

View the full travel overview: Kansas.