Located in the heart of the Flint Hills Scenic Byway, the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is an amazing combination of unspoiled prairie and rare wildflowers. Imagine a place that captures the intense beauty of the Wild West, a region once covered by tallgrass prairie. In the continental U.S. today, less than four percent remains of the once 140 million acres of North American tallgrass prairie. Most of it now lies in the captivating Flint Hills of Kansas.
Come see the amazing variety of wildflowers in the 10,984-acre Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. From April to October, dozens of flora species are always in bloom. Discover over 400 species of plants, from the purple Polly mallow to the bigroot prickly pear. Step out of your car to enjoy the intricate plant life of the plains. Pause and hear the soft rustle of the tallgrass as the wind sweeps over the prairie around you.
Walk the Southwind Nature Trail through the lower prairie, across a tree lined creek bed, and up gently rolling hills to expansive vistas in this carefully-preserved splendor. Notice the delicate splashes of color of the butterfly milkweed, blue wild indigo, western yarrow, purple prairie clover, sunflower, and blue sage that mid-summer brings. Soak in the aroma of the white heath aster in August and September.
Explore the subtle world of delicate beauty and natural wonder that awaits you at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve on the Flint Hills Scenic Byway.
Flint Hills Scenic Byway Overview