National Park Service

Birds-eye view of the ranch headquarters area from above the tree line.

First Time Visitor

Begin your visit to the preserve at the visitor information desk located on the back porch of the main house during the winter months (November - April) and in the limestone barn during summer months (May - October). The preserve is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.    

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve offers many opportunities to experience the rich natural and cultural heritage that exists in the Flint Hills of Kansas. To help you get started, here is a list of daily activities that a typical visit may include:

• 10-minute site orientation film
  
• historic 1881 ranch house tours every hour on the half-hour, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and concluding at 3:30 p.m.
  
• self-guiding ranch headquarters tour with map
  
• two frontcountry hiking trails - open daylight hours year-round
  
• Junior Ranger Booklet - Children can earn a badge by completing five or more activities. Other fun activities surround the Junior Ranger Station in the historic barn.

Additional activities are available during the summer months, with special weekend activities featuring in-depth natural and cultural programs. 

• From the last Saturday in April through the last Sunday in October, prairie bus tours offered 3 times daily at 11 a.m.,
  1 p.m., and 3 p.m. $5 adults, $3 kids
  
• From Memorial Day through the last Sunday in October, living history and natural history programs on alternating weekends. Special interpretive programs at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. during these weekends. Ask the rangers for the location of the scheduled interpretive activity.
  
• Backcountry day hiking available (9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) by free permit from May - October and on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) November - April.
  
• One-room Lower Fox Creek Schoolhouse open weekends from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. in May, June, September, and October.
  
  Click here for a pdf of yearly special event activities.