From the 1920s to 1974, only 2,000 acres of this 13,000-acre property were not surface mined. Now those scarred tracts of land, once stripped of overburden, have evolved into woodlands and grasslands that wind around 1,000 deep pit lakes perfect for birding, canoeing or kayaking, or fishing. With more than 80 boat ramps, these lakes, both beautiful and eerie, are easy to access. Maps of the lakes are available at Big Brutus and from the Mined Land Wildlife Area office (from Big Brutus, ½ mile south on NW 60, 1 mile west on Coalfield, 2 miles south on NW 70, then ¾ mile west on Belleview). Cabins available. Reservations required. (8 Wonders of Kansas Geography)