Description:
On November 12, 1996, legislation was passed creating Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in the Flint Hills region of Kansas. A new superintendent was assigned to the site in February 1997, and planning activities for the preserve are now underway.
The preserve protects a nationally significant example of the once vast tallgrass ecosystem. Of the 400,000 square miles of tallgrass prairie that once covered the North American Continent, less than 4 percent remains, primarily in the Flint Hills.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is a new kind of national park. The preserve is 10,894 acres, but most of that land will remain under the ownership of the National Park Trust, which purchased the land in 1994. The National Park Service may own up to 180 acres, yet the legislation calls for the entire acreage to be managed cooperatively by the National Park Service and the National Park Trust.
On September 20, 2002, approximately 32 acres were donated to the National Park Service from the National Park Trust. This area includes the 1881 historic ranch house, limestone barn and outbuildings, and one-room schoolhouse.
This is a new park under development with visitor opportunities being expanded.
Directions:
Car - Traveling from the east:
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is located 2 miles north of Strong City, KS on Highway 177. Travel on U.S. Highway 50 west from Emporia, KS, passing through Strong City, KS. Highway 50 (east/west) intersects with Highway 177 (north/south) approximately 1 mile west of Strong City, KS. Travel north on Highway 177 for 2 miles. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is on the west side of Highway 177.
Traveling from the north:
Tallgrass Prairie National Pre