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What's New at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve New
Backcountry Day Hiking Trails at the Preserve Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve announces the
opening of three new backcountry day hiking trails. Due to the increased popularity, the backcountry day hiking trails will remain open on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the winter months through April 23rd. Daily backcountry day hiking opportunities will resume April 29th with the beginning of the prairie bus tour schedule. Free hiking permits may be picked up at the visitor contact station on the back porch of the ranch house. Visitors will now have the chance to experience the tallgrass prairie ecosystem at various times of the year. Hiking will be cancelled during times of adverse weather conditions and during controlled burns. Visitors must pick up their permits and a trail map in person at
the information station before entering the backcountry. The information
station is located in the barn at the historic ranch headquarters
from May through October. A short introductory training session
will be given to each individual or group before hiking into the
backcountry. Visitors are encouraged to wear appropriate clothing
and hiking gear, bring plenty of drinking water, use sunblock and
insect repellent, and stay on the designated ranch roads and hiking
trails. No smoking or pets are allowed in the backcountry. All
hikers must sign in and return their hiking permit to the historic
ranch headquarters area no later than 3:30 p.m. All backcountry day hiking trails are moderately difficult and range from 3.8 to 6.4 miles. The Scenic Overlook Trail, the 3 Pasture Loop Trail, and the Red House Trail each offer visitors a different and unique perspective of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Scenic vistas, prairie grasses, wildflowers, wildlife, and rugged terrain may be experienced along the new backcountry day hiking trails. Located two miles north of Strong City on Kansas State Highway
177 (the Flint Hills Scenic Byway), the preserve's historic ranch
headquarters is open daily from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. except Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and New Years Day. For general preserve information or
to make arrangements for group tours, e-mail: tapr_interpretation@nps.gov
or call the preserve at (620) 273-8494.
The Flint Hills Scenic Byway was designated as one
of 99 National Scenic Byways in the United The Flint Hills Scenic Byway runs along K177 from Cassoday to Council Grove, Kansas. It offers the traveler a glimpse of what the grasslands of the Great Plains were like as early inhabitants and pioneers arrived in this place. It provides a personal view of the beauty of the prairie from its tiniest inhabitants to its massive horizon and boundless sky.
Tallgrass Prairie Featured in Arts for the Parks Contest The Arts for the Parks competition was created in 1986 by the National Park Academy of the Arts. The program is designed to celebrate representational artists, to enhance public awareness of the National Parks, and to contribute to programs benefiting the National Park System. It is an annual competition that honors artists who have best captured the spirit of our National Park System. Several artists have used Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve as their subject and captured some of the most spectacular views of the prairie. Visit the following links to experience the prairie in a whole new way. Follow this link to view artwork related to Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
Drystone Conservancy Returns for Phase IV
During the first week of November 2005, the Dry Stone Conservancy's team of professional drystone masons will return to the preserve to continue and complete the stonework at the historic ranch headquarters area and at the Lower Fox Creek School. The team will be working on restoring various historic drystone walls at the Spring Hill/Z Bar Ranch headquarters area and reconstructing the rock walls around the one-room school. For more information on the Dry Stone Conservancy visit their website at www.DrystoneUSA.org.
Spring Hill Ranch House Roof Gets New Coat of Paint
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Starting
August 15 through October 31, 2005 visitors will have greater access
into the backcountry of the preserve through longer hiking trails.
Backcountry day hiking hours are from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Permits
are required and may be picked up in person at the preserve the
day of your visit. You may also reserve a permit up to 4 weeks in
advance by calling the preserve at 620-273-8494. There is no charge
for the permit. 
States.
On September 22, 2005, the Secretary of Transportation announced
the designation of 45 new America's Byways TM
as part of a designation ceremony held at Union Station in Washington,
D.C. Several national park units were recognized as part of this
program. Those park units that received National Scenic Byway designations
were: Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (Flint Hills Scenic Byway),
Catoctin Mountain Park (Catoctin Mountain Scenic Byway), Mesa Verde
National Park (Trail of the Ancients), and Shenandoah National Park
(Skyline Drive). These newly designated roads joined numerous other
national park units that are already part of the America's Byways
TM Program. 
