Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)

QUICKLINKS:

I, Too, Am America Contest

Watch Sunflower Journeys Presents: The National Parks of Kansas on KTWU Channel 11, Thursday, September 17th at 7:00 pm and Monday, September 28th at 9:30 pm.
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Last Stand of the Tallgrass Prairie

Where's the tall grass?

Tallgrass prairie once covered 140 million acres of North America. Within a generation the vast majority was developed and plowed under. Today less than 4% remains, mostly here in the Kansas Flint Hills. The preserve protects a nationally significant remnant of the once vast tallgrass prairie and its cultural resources. Here the tallgrass prairie takes its last stand.

Visit the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Tour Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

The preserve offers a wide variety of activities and experiences. Visit the Plan Your Visit page or click on the link above to download a pdf of our 2009 Schedule of Events.

Welcome to the prairie and enjoy your visit!

Preserve Celebrates its 250,000th Visitor

On November 15, 2009 Kelly Kobayashi and Joseph Vierra become the 250,000th visitor to the preserve since the park's establishment on November 12, 1996.

Congratulations Kelly and Joseph!
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Special Bison Tours "Where the Buffalo Roam"

On Friday, November 27th the rangers will present six bus tours of the prairie where the bison call home. Two bus tours each will be given at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. and are free of charge. Read the press release

Thirteen head of bison are once again back on the preserve. The genetically pure bison come from Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota and will be the parent herd for the preserve. This keystone species once roamed the North American prairies in the millions. Today they are making a come back. Visitors are encouraged to visit the preserve, but should be aware that bison are wild animals and should never be petted. Please see the rangers for more information. For Your Safety

candles and greenery set the mood for the holiday event

Twas the Night Before Christmas

On Saturday, November 28th from noon to 4 p.m. visit with living history characters as they decorate the Christmas tree and celebrate the holiday season with light refreshments and live music. Stories of the season, such as "Twas the Night Before Christmas" will be presented throughout the afternoon. The 1881 ranch house and outbuildings will be decorated for the holidays with natural items of cedar, buck brush, bittersweet, and berries.
Read the press release

Write to

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
P.O. Box 585
Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845

E-mail Us

Phone

Visitor Information
(620) 273-8494

Administrative Headquarters
(620) 273-6034

Fax

(620) 273-8950

Climate

The preserve is situated in northern Chase County, Kansas. Climate is considered moderate, with average precipitation over 30", summer high temperatures 80-100 degrees, and winter low temperatures 10-20 degrees. Summer storms with lightning and hail are common. Weather is a factor for certain interpretive activities.