The Scenic Overlook Trail, Prairie Fire Loop, and Davis Trail are hiking trails at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, which is one of my favorite places in Kansas!
The hiking trails take you way out into the Flint Hills and immerse you in wide open grasslands that are unique to this region. The hiking trails connect together to make a seven-mile loop.
The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is located on Highway 177 just north of Strong City and Cottonwood Falls; 20 minutes west of Emporia, and about 25 minutes south of Council Grove.
The lands and historic buildings are maintained and operated by the National Parks Service.
The visitor’s center has maps and educational displays, as well as a small gift shop and restrooms. And the staff members are awesome and very knowledgeable!
Hiking the Scenic Overlook Trail
The Scenic Overlook Trail is a gravel road that’s wide enough for a few people to walk side-by-side.
It starts behind the barn, first going south and then looping around to the northwest.
The trail passes by a pond and eventually leads to a gate with cattle guards. Pass through the gate and you’ve entered bison territory.
Warning signs are posted advising visitors to keep a safe distance between themselves and the bison.
When you exit the bison paddock, you’ll hike over a couple more hills for about half a mile and finally reach the scenic overlook hill.
There is a turn-around loop at the scenic overlook hill if you want to go back the way you came (total hike – six miles). Otherwise, there is a connecting trail called the Prairie Fire Loop Trail on the backside of the hill (total hike – seven miles).
Hiking the Prairie Fire Loop Trail
On the Prairie Fire Loop Trail, the narrowed trail surface changes to tire ruts and mowed grass. On a day after a rain, it will be muddy and somewhat slippery.
The hills aren’t as steep as they are on the Scenic Overlook Trail, but they gradually slope eastward toward the valley in the distance.
This section of the trail gives you breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and open prairie.
Hiking back to the Ranch House
After about a mile-and-a-half, you’ll connect with the Davis Trail which leads you back toward the ranch house.
Eventually, you’ll come to some modern era cattle pens. There is a gate to the left that leads to a dirt road, don’t take that way (I took it my first time on the trail and it wasn’t fun).
The gate you want is on a mowed grass path to the right, up by the cattle pens.
The Davis Trail leads to the Schoolhouse Spur Trail, take this trail (left) to visit the nineteenth-century, one-room school. The school is open during operating hours.
The trail continues toward the house through a small patch of woods. After crossing a bridge over a creek, you’ll come out of the woods. At this point you’re on the Southwind Nature Trail.
Go left and not long after that, the trail ends at the ranch house.
Be sure to go in the historic buildings before or after your hike.
The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve has over 30 miles of hiking trails that are always open. No matter what trails you take in this park, you won’t be disappointed.
Safe Travels!
Matt McCoy, writer and photographer, Rugged Kansas
Location: The Prairie Fire Loop Trail and Scenic Overlook Trail are hiking trails at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve; north of Strong City & Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.
Fees: No
Dogs: Not Allowed
Activities: Hiking, Tour Bus
Trail Construction: Natural Surface, System
Trail Length from Description Above: 7 miles
Total Length Available: Approximately 30 miles
Camping: No camping on the trail. There are campgrounds at Chase State Fishing Lake and Council Grove Lake.
Features: Scenic Views, Creek, Pond, Wildflowers, Wildlife, Meadows, Flint Hills, Historic Buildings, Bison Herd
Historic Significance: Spring Hill / Z Bar Ranch, established 1878
According to the park’s brochure, “The Spring Hill / Z Bar Ranch represents a continuous ranching legacy from 1878 to 1986. The buildings show remnants from its earliest beginnings as well as changes made by the ranch’s many owners. The original owners, Stephen and Louisa Jones, built the nearby Lower Fox Creek School and their daughter Loutie attended.”
The limestone buildings include a beautiful ranch house, a massive barn, corrals, fences and many other outbuildings. Most of the buildings are open to visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hazards: There are virtually no trees on this trail, sunburn and heat-related injuries are very possible. Take plenty of water. Sunscreen and hats are highly recommended. Fields that have recently been burned will add to the heat. Prescribed burning will close the trails. Keep your distance from bison, especially if there are calves nearby. Ticks may also be a problem on grass surfaced trails.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/tapr/index.htm
Facebook: @NPS.TallgrassPrairie
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