National Park Service
Birds-eye view of the ranch headquarters area from above the tree line.
Visitor Center and restroom construction is well under way. Please proceed with caution as you enter the driveway to the parking lot, read all signs, and check Facebook for more frequent updates.
Please continue to call ahead (620-273-8494) for tour availability due to major construction projects occurring in 2012.
First Time Visitor
Begin your visit to the preserve at the visitor information desk located on the back porch of the main house. The preserve buildings are open year-round from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on Thanksgiving, December 25, January 1, and as posted.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve offers many opportunities to experience the rich natural and cultural heritage that exists in the Flint Hills of Kansas. To help you get started, here is a list of daily activities that a typical visit may include:
- 10-minute site orientation film (watch additional video on YouTube)
- self-guiding historic 1881 ranch house tour with site bulletin
- guided 1881 ranch house tours as staffing allows
- self-guiding ranch headquarters tour with map
- three frontcountry hiking trails - open 24 hours year-round; no camping
- backcountry trails - open 24 hours year-round; no camping
- Junior Ranger Booklet - Children can earn a badge by completing five or more activities. Other fun activities offered at the Junior Ranger Station in the historic barn.
Additional activities are available during the summer months, with special weekend activities featuring in-depth natural and cultural programs.
- From the last Saturday in April through the last Sunday in October, prairie bus tours offered 1 time daily at 11 a.m. and more as staffing allows.
- From Memorial Day through the last Sunday in October, natural resource and cultural history programs on alternating weekends. Special interpretive programs during these weekends. Ask the rangers for the location of the scheduled interpretive activity.
- One-room Lower Fox Creek Schoolhouse open weekends (Saturday and Sunday) from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. in May, June, September, and October.
