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Tallgrass Prairie National PreserveLower Fox Creek
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Last Stand of the Tallgrass Prairie

Tallgrass prairie once covered 140 million acres of North America. Less than 4 % remains, mostly in the Flint Hills of Kansas. On November 12, 1996, legislation created the 10,894 acre preserve, which protects a nationally significant example of the once vast tallgrass prairie ecosystem, while containing a unique collection of natural and cultural features from the American Indian to present.

 
Visit the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Tour Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

The preserve offers a wide variety of activities and experiences. Visit the Plan Your Visit  page or click on the link above to download a pdf of our 2008 Schedule of Events.

Welcome to the prairie and enjoy your visit!

 
One of the 8 Kansas Wonders

Preserve Voted One of 8 Kansas Wonders

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve was honored with being selected as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas. Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius announced the results on January 29, 2008, Kansas Day, at the State Capitol.

Visit the press release page to learn more about the seven other Wonders of Kansas, the contest, and ceremony.

 
Experience the Flint Hills

Experience the Flint Hills Group Tours

Organized groups and tour bus lines may take advantage of two very unique "experiential" tours through the Flint Hills. Call the preserve (620-273-8494) to book a tour or visit our Experience the Flint Hills Group Tours page to learn more about these one-of-a-kind tours. 

 
Quilt Show 2008

Quilt Display 2008

Third annual quilt display held at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve over the Labor Day Weekend. Follow the link to see the results of the Favorite Quilt category.
 

Write to

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
P.O. Box 585
Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845

E-mail Us

Phone

Ranch Headquarters Visitor Information
(620) 273-8494

Administrative Headquarters
(620) 273-6034

Fax

(620) 273-8950

Climate

The preserve is situated in northern Chase County, Kansas. Climate is considered moderate, with average precipitation over 30", summer high temperatures 80-100 degrees, and winter low temperatures 10-20 degrees. Summer storms with lightning and hail are common. Weather is a factor for certain interpretive activities.
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Aerial photo of the Flint Hills at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve  

Did You Know?
Kansas was once the bed of a vast inland sea. The unique, stairstep landscape of the Flint Hills was formed through a process of differential erosion. Erosion washed away the soft shale layers and left the tougher layers of limestone and flint to form the hilltops and prominent benches.

Last Updated: September 03, 2008 at 00:05 EST