Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Junction City, Kansas

Junction City, named for its location at the confluence of the Smoky Hill and Republican rivers, has a rich history that is closely associated with nearby Fort Riley, a significant U.S. Army installation. The fort’s museums and historical landmarks, particularly those related to George Armstrong Custer (1839-1876) and the U.S. Cavalry, make it worthy of exploration.

During the mid-20th century, Junction City experienced a proliferation of establishments catering to more adult themes; however, a transformation occurred in the 1980s, resulting in a family-oriented, small-town atmosphere.

The largest reservoir in Kansas, Milford Lake, is only minutes from downtown and provides a delightful summer retreat with its beaches, campgrounds, marina, and extensive trail network.

1. Fort Riley

As the home base of the 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley was established as a frontier post in 1855 and offers numerous resources for historical exploration through its museums, monuments, and other significant sites.

Notable individuals associated with the fort include General Lewis Armistead, Buffalo Bill Cody, Wild Bill Hickok, and General George S. Patton.

George Armstrong Custer served here as lieutenant colonel of the 7th Cavalry Regiment during 1866-67, and his residence has been preserved as a museum, along with several other museums on the base.

The U.S. Cavalry Museum, discussed further below, alongside the 1st Infantry Division Museum, which chronicles the history of The Big Red One from 1917 to the present, are essential destinations.

To access the base, it is advisable to acquire a temporary Fort Riley Access Pass in advance by visiting the Visitor Control Center.

2. Geary County Historical Society Museum

To gain insight into Junction City’s local heritage, a visit to this free history museum located downtown is essential.

The museum occupies the former City High School, constructed in 1904 using native limestone blocks in a Romanesque Revival architectural style.

Originally housing a school until the late 1960s, the building transferred to the Geary County Historical Society in 1982.

Inside, visitors can explore an extensive array of exhibits chronicling history from the Native American era to modern times, complemented by a plethora of artifacts and turn-of-the-century photographs from notable photographers such as J.J. Pennell, A.G. Emery, and A. P. Trott.

A child-friendly gallery, dubbed Main Street, imaginatively recreates six businesses from the early 1900s, while a third-floor room showcases ticket office and waiting room artifacts from the Union Pacific depot.

3. U.S. Cavalry Museum

A visit to Fort Riley should prioritize the captivating U.S. Cavalry Museum, which documents the legacy of the U.S. Cavalry from the Revolutionary War to World War II.

This museum has been operational since 1957, housed within a grand building that dates back to 1855, originally serving as a hospital before its transformation into the Cavalry and Light Artillery School in 1890.

Within the museum’s well-curated galleries, visitors can view artifacts related to Buffalo Soldiers, an extensive collection of weaponry, artwork by Frederic Remington, military uniforms, equine equipment, and explore various aspects of Fort Riley’s illustrious history.

4. Milford State Park

Located slightly northwest of Junction City, Milford Lake represents Kansas’s largest artificial lake. Spanning 15,700 acres and boasting 161 miles of shoreline, the lake was formed through the dam’s construction during the mid-1960s, serving multiple purposes including flood control and water supply.

The lake also provides a sanctuary for wildlife and opportunities for residents and visitors to engage in outdoor activities.

Milford State Park, a key attraction, offers miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, as well as boat ramps, swimming beaches, a full-service marina, picnic shelters, a splash pad, and five campgrounds featuring a total of 120 electric/water utility sites along with more than 100 primitive sites.

5. Milford Nature Center & Fish Hatchery

Positioned slightly closer to Junction City, adjacent to the dam, the nature center allows visitors to discover Kansas’s diverse natural habitats.

The center features stimulating dioramas, as well as numerous live animal exhibits including lizards, snakes, turtles, amphibians, prairie dogs, and other species.

Interactive displays are also available, allowing visitors to create their own animal tracks and identify natural items through touch.

Outdoor areas are home to additional live animals, including bird of prey aviaries and a bobcat enclosure.

The Fish Hatchery located on the premises is among the few in the nation maintaining its own brood stock for hybrid fish (wipers). Tours of the hatchery are available during March and April through the nature center.

6. C.L. Hoover Opera House

For over 140 years, the C.L. Hoover Opera House (established 1882) has served as a prominent cultural venue in Junction City.

Following its reconstruction after a fire in 1898, the building has played multiple roles including that of courthouse, jail, fire department, and movie theater.

After decades of dormancy in the late 20th century, the opera house earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places and underwent a comprehensive restoration, completed in 2008.

Today, it serves as the headquarters of the Junction City Arts Council, Junction City Little Theater, and the Junction City Community Band, hosting a variety of artistic performances across diverse genres and disciplines.

7. Rathert Stadium

Located in the northwest of Junction City, Rathert Stadium is a charming baseball venue featuring a grandstand constructed with local limestone.

This stadium was built as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the Great Depression and has been referred to as the “finest baseball stadium in Kansas.”

It serves as the home field for the Junction City High School Blue Jays as well as the Junction City Brigade, a collegiate baseball team competing in the Mid-Plains League. The regular season, comprised of 18 home games, takes place from June through mid-July, concluding with the finals by late July.

8. First Territorial Capitol of Kansas

The significance of this historical structure, situated at Fort Riley, cannot be overstated. This building is the only surviving remnant of the ghost town of Pawnee, briefly serving as the first Territorial Capitol of Kansas in 1855.

Pawnee held the designation of capital for just five days before it was relocated to what is now Fairway in the Kansas City area.

This site was integral to the heated debates regarding Kansas’s admission to the Union as a free or slave state, which significantly impacted the nation’s history in the ensuing decade.

The building is generally open to the public on weekends from April to October, offering exhibits that explore the frontier era, the Kansas-Missouri Border War (1854-1861), and the struggle for freedom.

9. Riverwalk Trail

The Riverwalk Trail allows for walking, jogging, or cycling alongside the Republican River, stretching five miles in Junction City. The trail commences near the dam at Milford Lake and extends to the Washington Street entrance of Fort Riley.

This limestone-paved path uniquely permits horseback riding and snowmobile access during winter. Visitors may be fortunate enough to observe bald eagles perched in the treetops during the colder months.

10. Spring Valley Heritage Site

The Geary County Historical Society oversees this captivating collection of historical buildings located just west of Junction City.

The Spring Valley schoolhouse, preserved in its original condition, exemplifies a typical 19th-century educational facility that operated until the late 1950s.

This was the last school in the county lacking modern plumbing, with a functioning water pump from the 1930s still available on-site. Additional structures include a pony barn and the historic Wetzel’s Log Cabin Church (1857).

This church was initially built for a former army dragoon and later became the residence of the Wetzel family, where the state’s first congregation of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod convened.

11. Geary Community Farmers’ Market

In the Church of the Nazarene parking lot located in southern Junction City, Geary County hosts a popular farmers’ market featuring numerous vendors.

On busy market days, over 20 vendors showcase heirloom produce, eggs, fruits, honey, baked goods, teas, jams, jellies, preserves, sauces, spice rubs, handmade candles, skincare products, jewelry, and delightful BBQ offerings.

The market operates Thursday evenings from May through October, with some vendors offering online pre-orders for convenient pickups.

12. Konza Prairie Research Natural Area

Located a brief drive east of Junction City, the Konza Prairie showcases an expansive area of native tallgrass prairie similar to that which welcomed 19th-century settlers.

This 8,600-acre reserve is owned by The Nature Conservancy and managed by Kansas State University as a field research station.

The Konza Prairie sits at the northern fringe of the Flint Hills, a rugged region unsuitable for agricultural development, which contributes to roughly two-thirds of the remaining tallgrass prairie in the United States.

While public access is limited, visitors can enjoy trails measuring 2.6, 4.5, and 6 miles in length, along with a spectacular overlook accessible along K-177.

13. Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area

A short drive south on Hwy 27 leads to this 180-acre wildlife area, approximately half of which is a picturesque lake.

A scenic trail at the northern end, near the dam, leads visitors to a striking waterfall, particularly breathtaking after rainfall. In summer, this location becomes a favored spot for families seeking relief from the heat.

This lake serves as a crucial haven for migrating waterfowl during spring and fall, and its crystalline waters provide excellent fishing opportunities. Recent surveys indicate favorable numbers of crappie, catfish, saugeye, black bass, and bluegill.

14. Swimming Pool & Sprayground

Less than a mile west of downtown, Junction City’s public pool complex is situated within 5th Street Park, adjacent to Lincoln Elementary School.

Ideal for family summer activities, the facility features a full-size lap pool, a wading pool, diving boards, and an exciting triple tube slide.

Recently added is a state-of-the-art “Sprayground” equipped with foam jets, water cannons, pumping jets, and a variety of other engaging water features for children.

The surrounding park provides ample space for leisurely recreation, including five tennis courts and a large picnic shelter.

15. Rolling Meadows Golf Course

Having operated for over 40 years, this 18-hole course has earned 4½ stars from Golf Digest, establishing it as one of the top golfing venues in Kansas.

Set on 160 acres, this track, designed by Richard Watson, features bent and ryegrass fairways, nearly 30 sand bunkers, mature trees in the rough, and six lakes.

Every hole presents a fresh challenge, catering to both seasoned golfers as well as beginners. For those looking to practice, Rolling Meadows offers a dedicated driving range, accessible every day until sunset.