Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-20 to 2026-12-14; community-mapped.

About

This park's official page lists: Wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Restrooms, Visitor center, Picnic areas.

At the park

• Exhibits exhibit
• Wildlife & bird watching scenic feature
• Hiking trails trail

Shows and experiences

• Junior Ranger program

Before you go

Disability access

This park's official page states it has wheelchair-accessible facilities. Specific routes, transfer access and equipment vary — confirm with the park for your needs.

First aid

In-park (mapped location) — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.

Limits

Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go

⚠ Caution: Dangerous Highway Crossing

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.

Getting there

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**

Weather & when to go

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.

Visitor center

Bottomland Nature Trail

Visitor center

Scenic Overlook Trail

Visitor center

Southwind Nature Trail

Visitor center

Southwind Nature Trail

Visitor center

Spring Hill Farm and Stock Ranch Barn

Visitor center

Spring Hill Ranch House

Visitor center

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Visitor Center — Visitor center and historic buildings are open seven days a week. Lower Fox Creek School is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm from May 1 to December 31. Summer hours run from May through October. Winter hours run November through March. — The preserve is located in northern Chase County, Kansas. The visitor center is 2 miles north of the intersection U.S. Hwy 50 and Flint Hills National Scenic Byway 177 (K-177). **2 miles north of Strong City, KS on K-177** **16 miles west of Emporia, KS on U.S. Hwy 50, north K-177** **17 miles south of Council Grove, KS on K-177** **85 miles northeast of Wichita on I-135, east U.S. Hwy 50, north…

Visitor center

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Visitor Center

Visitor center

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Visitor Center

Facilities on the park map

3 bench, 1 changing table, 1 defibrillator, 1 first aid kit, 1 first aid station, 3 picnic area, 7 restroom, 9 visitor information.

History

Opened

1996

• Park opened