Welcome to the Tallgrass Prairie!
Find Essential Information for Your Trip to the Prairie
You do not need a reservation to visit the preserve as we are open year-round. The main visitor tourist season is from April through October with the off-season November through March. The historic buildings are open everyday, except some major holidays. The hiking trails are open 24/7 year-round, closing only in times of prescribed fire. All access to the prairie is by hiking or walking. No private vehicles are allowed in the prairie. Camping and overnight parking are not authorized at this time on the preserve.
Year-round daily activities that a typical visit may include:
- 10-minute site orientation film in the Visitor Center (watch additional video on YouTube)
- Exhibits and Eastern National bookstore in the Visitor Center
- Historic ranch buildings - Buildings are self-guided and open daily year-round, except for major holidays. Exhibit panels and a cell-phone tour are available, with the phone number posted at the buildings. The limestone mansion is the only building that is temperature controlled. The remaining are open air as they were in the 1880s. Learn more about the buildings in the Virtual Tour section.
- Cell phone tours of historic buildings and the tallgrass prairie
- Three frontcountry nature trails that are pet friendly, open 24/7 year-round - no camping on the preserve.
- Pets on leash welcome outside ranch buildings and on frontcountry trails - See Pet Page
- Backcountry hiking trails, open 24/7 year-round - no camping or pets please
- Junior Ranger Booklet and Leave No Trace Scavenger Hunt
Activities available during the main visitor season that runs from the last Saturday in April through the last Sunday in October.
- Bus Tours and guided house tours during the main visitor season - Please call 620-273-8494 (hit 0) to make your free reservation. Walk-ins are welcome, but to assure your space, a reservation is suggested. With limited staffing, it is best to telephone to make your reservation, rather than email. We may not be able to respond quick enough to an email to meet your travel plans. It's best to talk with a live person.
- Special Events - visit the Calendar page
- From May 1 through December 31 the one-room Lower Fox Creek School is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. School will not be open during inclement weather of heavy rain or snow, but can always be viewed through the windows.
Please use these links to find more information about:
