Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Time Needed: full-day, half-day
Experience Type: outdoor adventure, scenic drive, scenic views
Protecting one of the last remaining expanses of North America’s tallgrass prairie, this preserve offers sweeping views, bison herds, and a glimpse into 19th-century ranch life. Visitors can hike, tour historic buildings, and experience the vast beauty of Kansas’s Flint Hills.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Hike the Prairie Trails – Walk among wildflowers and waving grasses on the 1.8-mile Southwind Nature Trail or 1.1-mile Bottomland Nature Trail for an introduction to prairie ecology.
- See the Bison Herd – Spot free-ranging bison from the Scenic Overlook Trail, but keep a safe 100-yard distance from these majestic animals.
- Explore the Visitor Center – Learn about prairie geology, wildlife, and culture through interactive exhibits, a 10-minute film, and helpful ranger guidance at the Tallgrass Visitor Center.
- Take a Self-Guided Tour – Explore the 1881 Spring Hill Farm and Stock Ranch, including its three-level barn, outbuildings, and one-room schoolhouse, through a self-guided cell phone tour.
- Drive the Flint Hills Scenic Byway – Travel K-177 for prairie views. Tune to 1680 AM to learn about the area’s natural and cultural heritage. Stop at the overlook near Cottonwood Falls.
Plan Ahead: Download the 12-stop cell phone tour to learn about the historic buildings and prairie overlook, including the limestone barn, outbuildings, chicken house, ranch house, and one-room schoolhouse. Keep in mind, cell service can be spotty.
Photo Credit: Kansas Tourism