Beecher Island area
Aliases: Simmons State Wildlife Area
The Beecher Island Battleground, a National Historic Site, is on private land that permits public access. The site contains a memorial, an informational display, a beautiful picnic area in the middle of mature riverbottom cottonwoods, and a one-mile nature trail through native sandsage prairie, river bluffs, and trees. The Arikaree River bottom mostly lacks underbrush, but some junipers around the buildings provide cover, and the tall trees are likely to host woodpeckers, nuthatches, owls and migrant passerines in season. Visit Simmons State Wildlife Area.
Restrictions: Please respect private property
County: Yuma
Attractions: Historic Beecher Island Battle monument
Directions: From US 36 a few miles west of the Kansas line, drive north on CR LL about 10 miles to Beecher Island Battleground, on the west side of the road and the north side of the Arikaree River. To get to Simmons State Wildlife Area, head north from Beecher Island a little over a mile to CR 22 and turn right (east). Follow CR 22 two miles to where it turns south and crosses the Arikaree; the parking lot for the SWA is on the east side of the road and the south side of the river.
Alternate Directions: From US 36 a few miles west of the Kansas line, drive north on CR LL about 10 miles to Beecher Island Battleground, on the west side of the road and the north side of the Arikaree River.
Habitat: Lowland Riparian, Grassland/Prairie, Yucca
Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours:
Ownership: Private (public access)
Admission or Fees: Free
Parking: Gravel parking area
Lodging: Hotel in Wray or Idalia
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Limited
Delorme: 102 A4
ROC: 63 D4
Latitude: 39.8721
Longitude: -102.18502
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L900538