Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Tallgrass prairie once covered 170 million acres of North America. Today less than 4 percent remains, mostly in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve protects a nationally significant remnant of the once vast tallgrass prairie. Welcome to Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve's page, administrated by National Park Service volunteers, partners, fans, and employees. Our goal is to share what's happening at the Preserve. Visit www.nps.gov/tapr/ for more park information.

All trails are open.
04/06/2026

All trails are open.

K-177 Highway Closed from Council Grove South to the Preserve, Use Detour to Visit the Preserve
03/02/2026

K-177 Highway Closed from Council Grove South to the Preserve, Use Detour to Visit the Preserve

The preserve buildings are back to their normal winter hours schedule.
02/16/2026

The preserve buildings are back to their normal winter hours schedule.

The Bottomland and Fox Creek trails are open, as conditions changed making for a less-than-optimal burning scenario. Enj...
02/07/2026

The Bottomland and Fox Creek trails are open, as conditions changed making for a less-than-optimal burning scenario. Enjoy the trails.

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is open and back to its winter schedule. For your safety, please use caution as some...
01/24/2026

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is open and back to its winter schedule. For your safety, please use caution as some areas may be slick from melting snow and ice.

Photo: NPS

Drinking Water and Restrooms Available at the PreserveWater has been restored to the preserve with restrooms available. ...
01/05/2026

Drinking Water and Restrooms Available at the Preserve

Water has been restored to the preserve with restrooms available. Have a safe and enjoyable visit.

Photo: NPS

Winter WisdomPlease use caution when visiting the preserve during winter months, as some surfaces may be slippery due to...
12/06/2025

Winter Wisdom

Please use caution when visiting the preserve during winter months, as some surfaces may be slippery due to ice and frost.

Use handrails where available or avoid areas that look slick. Ramps, steps, and all paved areas around the historic buildings, Visitor Center, and Bottomland Trail may be slick. Use caution, obey all posted signs, and do not go beyond barriers.

Be safe and have an enjoyable visit.

Photo: NPS

What did the mother buffalo say to her male child on his first day of school? "Bi-son!" 😂🦬This year at Tallgrass Prairie...
09/27/2025

What did the mother buffalo say to her male child on his first day of school? "Bi-son!" 😂🦬

This year at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, we welcomed 23 new baby bison to our herd. 🎉

Since some of these bison babies are past their first three months, their fur will have begun to darken. That said, if you see red fur while walking our prairie trails, provide them plenty of room. The presence of red dog bison (a name that refers to the red-brown color of their coat) can make adults more erratic as they work hard to protect their young.

Photo: NPS/Robert Hartwig

🦬 Bison or Buffalo? 🦬Scientifically, "true" buffalo include the Cape buffalo and water buffalo and are native to Africa ...
09/20/2025

🦬 Bison or Buffalo? 🦬

Scientifically, "true" buffalo include the Cape buffalo and water buffalo and are native to Africa and Asia. If you ask a scientist the name of the American Plains bison, you might suspect them of teasing when they reply, "Bison bison bison" or "Bos bison bison." But they would be perfectly correct. So why does the name "buffalo" persist throughout much of the United States?

Here in the US, bison have been known by many names. Lakota Indians called them “tatanka.” French explorers referred to them as “le boeuf” because they resemble large oxen. Some early American settlers and explorers thought American bison looked like water buffalo and called them “buffle” and “buffelo.” Some heard what the French said and inverted the word order to "boeuf-le." Over time in the US, both “buffalo” and “bison” gained acceptance.

So, what should I call them? If you're using American English to refer to the American bison, and you're speaking among scientists, go with bison. If you're speaking informally or historically, let your heart be your guide.

Have you heard other origin stories explaining use of the word "buffalo" to describe the American bison?

Photo: NPS/Robert Hartwig

What the Rut? 🦬Bulls compete for mating dominance in late summer. At , this usually occurs in August/September. During ...
09/06/2025

What the Rut? 🦬

Bulls compete for mating dominance in late summer. At , this usually occurs in August/September. During this short time, the entire herd often assembles in one location. Bison bulls are noticeably more aggressive, and grunting can sometimes be heard miles away.

While safety is *always* the best policy, during rutting season, visitors are reminded to keep 125 yards distance from bison when hiking, refraining from any close contact with the animals. Despite their considerable size, bison are strong and can run up to 35 mph. If necessary, visitors may navigate off-trail to go around the bison.

More rut info: https://go.nps.gov/WhatTheRut

Photo: NPS

🎶I know you hear me, but do you see me? 🎶I'm a cicada, and I live most of my life underground. Once I finally emerge int...
08/30/2025

🎶I know you hear me, but do you see me? 🎶

I'm a cicada, and I live most of my life underground. Once I finally emerge into the daylight, I turn into a total party animal. If you hear me "singing," I'm a male and I'm trying to attract a mate! I produce my formidable resonating melodies by vibrating my tympanic membrane, an organ located near the base of my wings on both sides of my body.

Look for me next time you're visiting Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. I'll be singing love songs, but maybe I'll sing you a song, too!

What's your favorite insect? What makes it special?

Photo: NPS/Robert Hartwig

Address

2480B KS Highway 177
Strong City, KS
66869

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9am - 4:30pm
Sunday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+16202738494

Website

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