National Preserve · Kansas

Trails in Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

17 named trails · 32 miles · 2 with the Park Service's own write-up. The lines, trailheads and points are the Park Service's; the write-ups are the Service's own words; the climbing is read from USGS elevation along each line.

Open on the parks map Every park with trails Park on nps.gov

17 trails, A to Z.

Barbara's Knoll

0.1 mi one way · 1,468 ft–1,478 ft

Views

Along the way Barbara'S Knoll

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Bottomland Nature Trail

1.2 mi one way · about 10 ft of climbing · 40 ft of descent · 1,180 ft–1,200 ft

Break on the Bottomland Trail the Park Service's write-up

10-120 Minutes · dogs allowed

Start Bottomland Trail

A kiosk stands next to a white gravel trail through tall grasses and flowers. — Bottomland Nature Trail draws crowds interested in a light self-guided outing. Photo: NPS photo

The Bottomland Trail has a fine gravel path that loops through a small meadow by the river. Interpretive signs and benches allow easy pacing for anyone. Wildflowers bloom throughout the summer. The woods and river provide ample opportunities for bird viewing. Restrooms, bike rack, and picnic tables make an ideal stop for a break from driving. This dog-friendly trail also connects with the Fox Creek Trail for longer walks.

Accessibility The fine gravel trail is level grade. Gravel width is approximately six feet wide with grassy shoulders. The northeast section of trail loop provides a few feet of shade under trees.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Connection Trail

0.4 mi one way · 20 ft of descent · 1,365 ft–1,446 ft

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Cusher Hill Loop

1.9 mi loop · about 150 ft of climbing · 1,254 ft–1,367 ft

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Davis Trail

2.3 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 1,246 ft–1,378 ft

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Fox Creek Trail

4.3 mi one way · about 70 ft of climbing · 1,184 ft–1,255 ft

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Gas House Cutoff

1.3 mi one way · 200 ft of descent · 1,282 ft–1,490 ft

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Lantry Lane

0.3 mi one way · 1,181 ft–1,191 ft

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Palmer Creek Loop

2.3 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 1,292 ft–1,453 ft

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Prairie Fire Loop

5.2 mi one way · about 500 ft of climbing · 1,279 ft–1,518 ft

Views

Along the way Barbara'S Knoll

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Ranch Legacy Trail

2.0 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 1,229 ft–1,407 ft

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Scenic Overlook Trail

3.3 mi one way · about 70 ft of climbing · 250 ft of descent · 1,265 ft–1,489 ft

Views

Along the way Barbara'S Knoll

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Schoolhouse Spur

0.3 mi one way · 20 ft of descent · 1,277 ft–1,297 ft

History

Along the way 1882 Lower Fox Creek one-room school

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Southwind Nature Trail

2.0 mi one way · about 200 ft of climbing · 1,228 ft–1,357 ft

ViewsHistory

Along the way 1881 Spring Hill Ranch house Barn;1882 Limestone Barn Curing house Historic carriage house Historic chicken house Historic ice house Historic outhouse Historic scratch shed Southwind Trail

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Two Section Trail

3.1 mi one way · about 100 ft of climbing · 200 ft of descent · 1,215 ft–1,373 ft

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

West Branch Trail

1.4 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 1,327 ft–1,500 ft

Take 12 to West Branch the Park Service's write-up

4-12 Hours · no dogs

A mown trail cuts through waste high grasssloping down to a line of trees. — Prairie Fire Loop reaches deep into the heart of the prairie. Photo: NPS photo

Set out along the Scenic Overlook Trail for the north end of the preserve. Enter Windmill Pasture where bison graze. Keeping a safe 100 yard distance may take patience or going off-trail. Continue north atop the ridge of Prairie Fire Loop with a grand view of the landscape. Be prepared for full exposure to Kansas weather: wind, sun, or rain. West Branch Trail ends six miles from the visitor center at marker 27 .

Marker 27 provides a tranquil place to rest. Palmer Creek has water to soak sore feet. Fossils are plentiful in the limestone. Take pictures and leave the rocks for others to enjoy. No fires, flames, or camping are permitted in the backcountry. Plan responsibly. Learn more about backcountry hiking at the preserve.

Journey back on the eastern Prairie Fire Loop with rolling hills. The elevation changes only a few hundred feet allowing fresh scenery every few minutes. The Davis Trail winds past the cattle pens connecting with the Scenic Overlook Trail . The Schoolhouse Spur detours a half-mile to a single-room schoolhouse from the 1880s.

Pets No pets are allowed in the backcountry of the preserve.

Accessibility The Scenic Overlook Trail has a grade of 1-2% or 5 degrees. The section is 12 foot gravel width and an additional 2 feet of mown grass. Elevation rises about 230 feet. Trails to the north in Big Pasture are old ranch road varying in width from 6-8 feet of stone to mown grass. Grade is steeper in some sections. Trails along hillsides slope sideways 1-2% or 5 degrees. The creek crossings can be impassable after a heavy rain. Service animals are NOT permitted.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Z Bar Spur

0.8 mi one way · about 70 ft of climbing · 1,209 ft–1,379 ft

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

About these trails

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-14 and simplified for the map. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do", unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.