Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
81 nearby within 50 mi
Photo: NPS
2 current alerts
As of Sep 20, 2026 · from nps.gov
- CautionBison are in the Breeding SeasonA reminder that bison are going about their normal life cycle and may be more aggressive. A raised tail is a warning sign and the animal may charge or give chase. Please give a wide distance, at least 100 yards. There are other trails you may choose to hike without encountering the bison.
- CautionDangerous Highway CrossingHighway 177 is 60 mph with a blind spot directly across from the house. Safely use the highway underpass to the Fox Creek Trail just south of the visitor center parking lot. Be smart, stay alive.
At a glance
- Open
- Year-round
- Near the park
- 81 campgroundsWithin 50 mi
Camping near the park 81
- Aerial viewRV Park
RV park
5.2 mi · Cottonwood Falls, KS
- Aerial viewCampground
Camp Wood
8.0 mi · Elmdale, KS
Services nearby: 11 dump stations · 4 rest areas
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…
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.
Photos: NPS
Things to do
- Arts and Culture
- Cultural Demonstrations
- Astronomy
- Stargazing
- Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
- Food
- Picnicking
- Guided Tours
Plan your visit
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…
Weather
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…
Plan your visit
Hours
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.
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**
Weather
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.
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