Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Visitor Center
Facility · Kansas ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (National Preserve) · Open Access
- 1,254 ft
- Elevation
Begin your preserve visit with the visitor center, complete with 10-minute orientation video, exhibits, indoor and outdoor restrooms, and water fountains. The visitor center is located on the left side of the breezeway. Rangers attend the visitor center during regular business hours. Summer hours run from May through October. Shorter winter hours run from November through April.
Getting there
The preserve is located in northern Chase County, Kansas. The visitor center is 2 miles north of the intersection U.S. Hwy 50 and Flint Hills National Scenic Byway 177 (K-177).
**2 miles north of Strong City, KS on K-177**
**16 miles west of Emporia, KS on U.S. Hwy 50, north K-177**
**17 miles south of Council Grove, KS on K-177**
**85 miles northeast of Wichita on I-135, east U.S. Hwy 50, north K-177**
**60 miles southwest of Topeka on I-335 (Kansas Turnpike) to Emporia, west U.S. Hwy 50, north K-177**
38.43221, -96.55830 · 38°25'56.0"N 96°33'29.9"W
Typical weather
Typically 92°F in Jul, down to 43°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 43 | 47 | 58 | 68 | 76 | 86 | 92 | 91 | 82 | 71 | 57 | 45 |
| Low °F | 19 | 23 | 32 | 43 | 54 | 64 | 69 | 67 | 57 | 44 | 33 | 23 |
| Precip in | 0.8 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 3.1 | 5.0 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 3.8 | 3.0 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 1.2 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Visitor Center
- Can you reserve a site at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Visitor Center?
- No. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Visitor Center is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Visitor Center
- Neosho Park 17.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Santa Fe Trail 17.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Kanza View 17.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Canning Creek 18 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Kit Carson 18.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Richey Cove 18.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- North Richey Cove 19.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Marion Cove 28.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cottonwood Point 28.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Hillsboro Cove 29.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- French Creek 32.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Turkey Point 41.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Contact
- Phone (620) 273-8494
- Email tapr_interpretation@nps.gov
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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