• The setting sun over the Flint Hills casts shadows across the wide expanse of tallgrass prairie.

    Tallgrass Prairie

    National Preserve Kansas

  • Caution - Construction Zone

    Please use caution and follow signs as you enter the parking lot. Construction is nearly complete on the visitor center and restrooms. Please call 620-273-8494, 6034, or 7034 for most recent information.

  • We Are Relocating

    The preserve staff is in the process of relocating and previous phone numbers may not function. Please call 620-273-8494, 6034, or 7034 to reach the preserve. Contact station hours are from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thank you for your patience.

Photo Gallery of the Spring Prairie Burn

fire clouds
 
 
cowchips on fire

Photo showing that pioneers of the prairie knew what they were talking about, "cowchips do burn." This entire field showed the remnants of last season.

 
fire clouds
Smoke covers the distant clouds to create a spectacular sunset.
 
rancher burning the prairie
Rancher Gene Matile sets a prescribed fire with a torch tied to the back of an ATV.
 
fire flames
Prescribed fire across from the preserve east of K177 Highway.
 
school lit by fire
One-room school lit by the glow of the  flames from the fire across the road.
 
fire across from the school
After the fire died down,the school continued to be lit by the remaining glowing embers.
 

Did You Know?

Spring Hill Ranch at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Stephen F. Jones spent the modern equivalent of about $1.9 million building the Spring Hill Ranch complex including the stone fences, but only owned the property for 10 years and occupied the limestone ranch house for 5 1/2 years.  Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve