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Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Designation: National Preserve

Location: Kansas

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Tallgrass prairie once covered 170 million acres of North America, but within a generation most of it had been transformed into farms, cities, and towns. Today less than 4% remains intact, mostly in the Kansas Flint Hills. Established on November 12, 1996, the preserve protects a nationally significant remnant of the once vast tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Here the tallgrass makes its last stand.

🌤 Weather Information

Typical weather for the preserve ranges from lows of 0 degrees in the winter and highs of 90 + degrees in the summer. Prevailing prairie winds attribute to winter blizzards and occasional summer storms. Thunderstorms that form on the Great Plains have a rare chance of producing tornadoes. Lightning poses a danger when hiking into the prairie. Please check current weather conditions at NOAA before hiking into the preserve.

🚗 Directions

The preserve is located in northern Chase County, Kansas 2 miles north of intersection U.S. Hwy 50 and Flint Hills National Scenic Byway 177 (K-177) west of Strong City. Watch for brown attraction signs. **2 miles north of Strong City, KS on K-177** **16 miles west of Emporia, KS on U.S. Hwy 50 and 2 miles north on K-177** **17 miles south of Council Grove, KS on K-177** **85 miles northeast of Wichita on I-35, U.S. Hwy 50, and K-177** **60 miles southwest of Topeka on I-335 (Kansas Turnpike) to Emporia**

Images

fall wildflowers at the preserve

Fall is the season for another assortment of color on the prairie

Credit: NPS

limestone mansion of the ranch

Historic 1881 Spring Hill Ranch house

Credit: NPS

three level limestone barn

Historic 1882 Spring Hill Ranch barn

Credit: NPS

tallgrass hiking trails

Hike among the tall tallgrass species in the fall

Credit: NPS

butterfly milkweed wildflowers

View a collage of summer flowers among a carpet of green in the spring and early summer

Credit: NPS

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Wednesday, Sep 23

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

High: 75.4°F | Low: 57.1°F

Humidity: 76%

Wind: 11.9 mph

Rain Chance: 13%

UV Index: 6.8

Sunrise: 07:14 AM

Sunset: 07:22 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (95%)

Visibility: 5 mi

Dew Point: 61.1°F

Cloud Cover: 13%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Sep 24

Overcast

Overcast

High: 78.5°F | Low: 60.4°F

Humidity: 60%

Wind: 12.5 mph

Rain Chance: 14%

UV Index: 5.9

Sunrise: 07:15 AM

Sunset: 07:20 PM

Moon: Full Moon (99%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 61.7°F

Cloud Cover: 14%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Friday, Sep 25

Overcast

Overcast

High: 71.6°F | Low: 65.1°F

Humidity: 71%

Wind: 15.4 mph

Rain Chance: 55%

UV Index: 3.2

Sunrise: 07:16 AM

Sunset: 07:19 PM

Moon: Full Moon (100%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 62.3°F

Cloud Cover: 55%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Springhill Barn: repairs and maintenance Park Closure
The historic Spring Hill Barn is closed until further notice for repairs and maintenance.
All Trails West of Highway 177 are Closed on 4/16/2026 Park Closure
All trails on the west side of Highway 177 will be closed on Thursday, April 16th for prescribed fire. This includes the Southwind Nature Trail. Bottomland Nature Trail and Fox Creek trails are accessible starting at the Bottomland Trail trailhead via Road 227 adjacent to St. Anthony cemetery. Please do not cross posted signs or barriers. Follow signs and be safe.
Dangerous Highway Crossing Caution
Highway 177 is 60 mph with a blind spot directly across from the house. Safely use the highway underpass to the Fox Creek Trail just south of the visitor center parking lot. Be smart, stay alive.
Park Buildings Closed January 1st for the Holiday Park Closure
So that staff may spend time with their families, the preserve VC and historic buildings will be closed January 1, 2026. Staff will return to work on January 2, 2026. All trails remain open. Be safe and Happy Holidays.
Bottomland Nature Trail Closed for Maintenance Park Closure
On April 29, 2026 the parking lot will be closed for maintenance. Please obey all signs and do not cross barriers. Thank you for your patience. Call the visitor center for updates. 620-273-8494 x 270.
Preserve Closed January 19th for the Holiday Park Closure
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. birthday, the preserve buildings and visitor center are closed. Trails remain open. Please use caution if hiking. Bring your own water, as there is no potable water available due to maintenance. Restroom (pit toilets) available at the Bottomland Nature Trail, two miles south of the visitor center. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Schoolhouse and the Schoolhouse Spur Trail Closed for Maintenance Park Closure
Beginning July 14, 2026 the Lower Fox Creek school and the surrounding area (including parking lot) will be closed to receive a new roof. Schoolhouse Spur Trail and the creek crossing on the Southwind Nature Trail will be closed to accommodate this construction zone. The schoolhouse area, including the access road leading to the school, will be closed through approximately August 8, 2026. For your safety, please do not venture beyond closure signs.
No Water at the Preserve Caution
There is no water at the preserve due to system maintenance. Please bring your own water and plan accordingly. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Use Caution, Some Surfaces May Be Slick Caution
Please use caution when visiting the preserve during winter months, as some surfaces may be slippery due to ice and frost. Use handrails where available or avoid areas that look slick. Ramps, steps, and all paved areas around the historic buildings, Visitor Center, and Bottomland Trail may be slick. Use caution, obey all posted signs, and do not go beyond barriers. Be safe and have an enjoyable visit.
The Preserve is Open, but K-177 Highway Closed 12 Miles North Information
Beginning Monday, March 2, K-177 will close for a bridge replacement near Council Grove on K-177; local traffic only. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is OPEN, but must be accessed from the south. K-177 thru traffic will be directed to follow the state detour on U.S. 56, U.S. 56/U.S. 77 and K-150. KDOT uses state highways for official detour routes for safety, weight and maintenance concerns. Go to KDOT website for detour map.

More Info

Preserve is Closed For the Holiday Park Closure
In honor of President's Day, the preserve buildings are closed.
Preserve is Closed Monday January 26th Park Closure
The visitor center and historic buildings are closed due to winter weather conditions. All park operations are suspended on Monday, January 26.

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
2480B KS Hwy 177
Strong City, KS 66869

🏤 Mailing Address:
2480B KS Hwy 177
Strong City, KS 66869

📞 Voice Phone: 6202738494

📞 Fax Phone: 6202738660

✉️ Email: tapr_interpretation@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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