National Preserve

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Midwest

About Tallgrass Prairie

Tallgrass prairie once covered 170 million acres of North America, but within a generation most of it had been transformed into farms, cities, and towns. Today less than 4% remains intact, mostly in the Kansas Flint Hills. Established on November 12, 1996, the preserve protects a nationally significant remnant of the once vast tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Here the tallgrass makes its last stand.

From the National Park Service.

Region: Midwest
State: Kansas
Designation: National Preserve
Entrance fee: None listed

Trail data for this park is still being added.
Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Tallgrass Prairie.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Hours

Open 24 hours a day, every day.

Hiking trails are open 24/7; no camping, no open flames, no drones. Prescribed fire and cattle/bison operations may close specific trails. Watch for signs. Trail maps available at the Visitor Center and most trailheads. Cell phone tour information is available at the kiosk and on the waysides. Visitor Center and historic buildings are open daily from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm May 1st through October 31 and 9 am to 4:30 pm November 1 - April 30. Visitor Center closed Monday and Tuesday, from November 1 to March 31.

Weather and when to go

Typical weather for the preserve ranges from lows of 0 degrees in the winter and highs of 90 + degrees in the summer. Prevailing prairie winds attribute to winter blizzards and occasional summer storms. Thunderstorms that form on the Great Plains have a rare chance of producing tornadoes. Lightning poses a danger when hiking into the prairie. Please check current weather conditions at NOAA before hiking into the preserve.

Getting there

The preserve is located in northern Chase County, Kansas 2 miles north of intersection U.S. Hwy 50 and Flint Hills National Scenic Byway 177 (K-177) west of Strong City. Watch for brown attraction signs. **2 miles north of Strong City, KS on K-177** **16 miles west of Emporia, KS on U.S. Hwy 50 and 2 miles north on K-177** **17 miles south of Council Grove, KS on K-177** **85 miles northeast of Wichita on I-35, U.S. Hwy 50, and K-177** **60 miles southwest of Topeka on I-335 (Kansas Turnpike) to Emporia**

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address: 2480B KS Hwy 177, Strong City, KS 66869
Phone: (620) 273-8494
Email: tapr_interpretation@nps.gov
Official site: nps.gov/tapr

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Tallgrass Prairie

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in Tallgrass Prairie

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

Nature Trails

Self-Guided Tours - Walking · about 45 min

Three nature trails (shorter in length) allow visitors to experience the tallgrass prairie first-hand, while remaining in closer proximity to visitor services. These trails are do…
Take a Self-Guiding Tour of the Ranch

Self-Guided Tours - Walking · about 1 hour

Stephen F. Jones named his ranch the Spring Hill Farm and Stock Ranch for the springs found on the hill west of the house. The house was built on a hillside with a two-story expos…
Try Catch and Release Fishing

Fishing · about 45 min

Three preserve ponds and Fox Creek are open to the public for catch and release fishing under the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Park and Tourism's Fishing Impoundments and Stream…
Explore Tallgrass Visitor Center

Park Film · about 15 min

Park rangers attend the visitor center with a range of exhibits. Geology, ecology, history, and culture all shaped today's Tallgrass Prairie. A modest gift shop provides souvenirs…
Take 12 to West Branch

Backcountry Hiking · about 6.7 hours

Up for a full day hike? Set out for marker 27 on the north end of the preserve. This 12 mile rounder provides a grand view of the landscape, bison, and who knows what else. Learn…
Bison viewing on the Scenic Overlook Trail

Wildlife Watching · about 1.3 hours

Walk along the gravel trail into the unplowed Flint Hills. Here an array of prairie wildlife make their home. The trail winds uphill through Windmill Pasture where a bison herd gr…
Break on the Bottomland Trail

Front-Country Hiking · about 45 min

The Bottomland Trail offers many amenities and a short walk through the prairie. It's an ideal stop for passing through with a tight schedule. The fine gravel trail loops through…