Visiting the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

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Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Visiting the Preserve

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Visitor Services

The preserve offers a historic ranch headquarters area with buildings dating from the late 19th century; a late 19th century one-room school house; a nature trail that offers some magnificent views of the Flint Hills landscape; and acres of prairie lands experienced on our Treasures of the Tallgrass Tour offered from the last weekend in April to the last weekend in October.

This park represents a partnership between the National Park Trust, who will retain ownership of most of the acreage, and the National Park Service, who will manage the site. Tours are led by National Park Service rangers and offer a glimpse into the special stories represented by the natural and cultural resources of this land.

2002 Schedule

All facilities are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Suggested entrance donation is $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for those 18 and under.

Self-Guided Tours - Visitor information and a 10-minute orientation video are available. With the help of a brochure and wayside exhibits, you can tour the historic ranch headquarters area.
Walking Trails - A short stroll will take you to a scenic overlook behind the historic headquarters area. You can take a longer hike on the 1 3/4 mile long Southwind Nature Trail.
Bookstore - The Park Education Resource Center Bookstore offers books for children and adults, photographs, paintings, and other prairie related items. It is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily.

PERC Online
House Tours - Tours of the 1881 limestone ranch house are offered hourly from 10:30am to 3:30 pm year-round. Tours are scheduled on the half-hour and last approximately 15 minutes.
Group Tours of the Ranch Headquarters Area - A tour of the ranch headquarters area and buildings can be arranged throughout the year for groups of 15 or more. This tour is approximately 2 hours in length and must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance. Cost is $5.00 per person ($2.00 for those 18 and under), which includes the suggested entrance donation. Reservations should be made by calling the National Park Trust Office at 620-273-8494.
Treasures of the Tallgrass Tour - A 7-mile long guided bus tour is offered daily, from April 27 through October 27, 2002. This tour, lasting approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, is offered at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00 pm. Cost is $5.00 per person ($3.00 for those 18 and under). Advance reservations are recommended, but you can join a tour on the day of your visit if space is available.
Combination Group Tours (Ranch Headquarters and Tallgrass Bus Tour) - Groups of 15 or more may schedule this combination tour which includes a 1-hour prairie tour and a 1-hour headquarters area tour. Cost is $7.00 per adult ($4.00 for those 18 and under), which includes the suggested entrance donation. Reservations must be made 2 weeks in advance by calling the National Park Trust Office at 620-273-8494.

Some fees may change during this visitor season.

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Attn: Park Rangers
Rt. 1 Box 14
Strong City, KS 66869
Phone: 620-273-8494
E-Mail to: tapr_interpretation@nps.gov