National Preserve · KS

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

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.

nps.gov ↗

Photos

fall wildflowers at the preserve
Fall is the season for another assortment of color on the prairie
limestone mansion of the ranch
Historic 1881 Spring Hill Ranch house
three level limestone barn
Historic 1882 Spring Hill Ranch barn
tallgrass hiking trails
Hike among the tall tallgrass species in the fall
butterfly milkweed wildflowers
View a collage of summer flowers among a carpet of green in the spring and early summer

Activities

  • Arts and Culture
  • Cultural Demonstrations
  • Astronomy
  • Stargazing
  • Fishing
  • Freshwater Fishing
  • Food
  • Picnicking
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Hands-On
  • Hiking
  • Backcountry Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Living History
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Park Film
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store