About Maxwell Wildlife Refuge

Rising unexpectedly from the flat prairie of western Kansas, Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park protects one of the most dramatic and unfamiliar landscapes in the state. Towering chalk formations, narrow spires, and deep gullies give this area a true badlands feel—earning it comparisons to landscapes more commonly found in the American Southwest than the Great Plains.

Designated as a Kansas state park in 2019, Little Jerusalem preserves fragile Niobrara Chalk formations that are millions of years old. The park is intentionally managed with limited access to protect its delicate geology and unique wildlife habitat. Visitors experience the park primarily through guided tours and designated overlooks, allowing for sweeping views across the chalk buttes while keeping the landscape largely untouched.

Photographically, Little Jerusalem is at its best in soft morning and evening light, when shadows carve depth into the formations and the subtle color of the chalk comes alive. It is a place that challenges expectations of Kansas and offers a rare opportunity to explore a landscape that feels both ancient and completely out of place—yet unmistakably part of the state’s natural story.