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Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Spring Hill Ranch front view of house
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Last Stand of the Tallgrass Prairie

Where's the tall grass?

Tallgrass prairie once covered 170 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.
 
Tallgrass Prairie Entrance Sign

Tour Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

The preserve offers a wide variety of activities and experiences, such as hiking, fishing, education programs, and ranger-led tours.

Visitor Center construction is well under way with walls and roof in place. 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 2011 and 2012. Projects include building a visitor center/administration building and replacing the port-a-johns in the ranch headquarters with new restrooms.

Visit the Plan Your Visit page to begin your visit.
Preserve hiking trails will remain open during construction.  
Welcome to the prairie and enjoy your visit!
 
2nd baby bison

The Bison Herd at the Preserve is Growing

May 11,2011 and July 7, 2011 marked the second and third bison calf births at the preserve. The original thirteen-member herd came from Windcave National Park, South Dakota in October 2009. On May 9, 2010 the first bison calf was born on the landscape in over 140 years. This is an exciting development for the preserve as a keystone species is once again returned to the prairie landscape.
 
historic music by candlelight

Holiday Special Event 

Come join the fun at the historic Spring Hill Ranch on Saturday, November 26th from 12 - 4 p.m. as costumed characters play historic holiday music and decorate the tree. Throughout the day witness the reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas. Visitors are welcome to sing along with the costumed characters as they enjoy a holiday party.

Press Release
 
kids quilts

Student-Designed Quilts Begin National Tour

Read more about the 2010 Building Common Ground Through the Quilts of Many Hands quilt project. Over 250 children and adults worked together to tell the many untold stories of the five Kansas National Parks by making quilts and learning from each other.

Learn More: How to Become Involved

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) 273-6099

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.

Current NOAA weather forecast
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Smoke tornadoes created from spring prairie burns at the preserve.

Did You Know?
Kansas is tied with Florida for 3rd place in most number of tornadoes per year. This tornado is actually a "smoke devil" spawned from annual spring prairie burns at the preserve. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
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Last Updated: December 22, 2011 at 10:37 MST

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