Rate Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Preserve
Operating Hours & Seasons
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Trails are open 24/7. Prescribed fire will close trails. Watch for signs. Visitor Center hours are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. May through October. Visitor Center hours are 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. November through April
Standard Hours
- Sunday:8:30 AM-4:30 AM
- Monday:8:30 AM-4:30 PM
- Tuesday:8:30 AM-4:30 PM
- Wednesday:8:30 AM-4:30 PM
- Thursday:8:30 AM-4:30 PM
- Friday:8:30 AM-4:30 PM
- Saturday:8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $0.00 – No entrance fee
All activities are free at the preserve.
Entrance Passes:
- $0.00 – No annual passes
Entrance to the preserve is free.
About
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.
Directions
By Car: 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 Em
Visitor Centers
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Begin your visit to the preserve at the visitor center, complete with 10-minute orientation video, exhibits, restrooms, and drinking fountains.
Weather
Typical weather for the preserve ranges from lows of zero in the winter and highs of 90 + degrees in the summer. Please check current weather conditions at NOAA before hiking into the preserve. Lightning poses a danger when hiking into the prairie.
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