The Southwind Nature Trail is a two mile hiking trail at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve that offers huge views of the Kansas Flint Hills.
The trailhead is in front of the manor house at the base of a hill. After you go through the gate, you’ll hike through flat grasslands that are surrounded by rolling hills.
For about the first half-mile, you’re hiking north toward the Fox Creek Schoolhouse.
As you approach the tree line, an additional trail splits off to the right. If you go right, you’ll cross a bridge over a creek and go through the woods. This is the Schoolhouse Spur Trail, which takes you to a one-room school.
The Lower Fox Creek School is normally open to visitors and is preserved with 1880’s-style furnishings. I recommend checking it out. It adds to the experience of your hike without adding a lot of distance.
Back at the tree line, if you stay left on the trail, you’ll continue on the Southwind Nature Trail. You’ll ascend up at large hill which offers a nice view of the creek bed below and you can see far into the ravine.
As you reach the top of the hill, stop and look around. You’ll see the schoolhouse in the distance to the north and the Fox Creek bottomlands to the east.
If you look to the west and down the hill, you’ll see another trail. That’s the Scenic Overview Trail, one of main hiking trails in the park.
At the hilltop, you’ll go through an archway that seems to frame the scenic views.
You’ll descend down some rocky terrain and eventually come to a fork in the trail marked by a sign.
I went right at the sign which led to an area with a teepee and interpretive signs that talk about the People of the Southwind.
Back on the trail, you’ll wind through some woods and eventually come to the outbuildings surrounding the mansion where the trail comes to an end.
Hiking the Southwind Nature Trail at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is great for everyone, especially kids and beginners.
Be sure to check out all of the buildings including the mansion, the huge barn and anything else that’s open.
I hope you enjoy the hike.
Safe travels!
Matt McCoy, writer and photographer, Rugged Kansas
Location: The Southwind Nature hiking trail is at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, a few miles north of Strong City and Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.
Fees: None
Dogs: Not allowed
Activities: Hiking and trail running
Trail Construction: Natural surface, mowed grass surface, loop
Trail Length from Description Above: 2 miles
Total Length Available: Approximately 30 miles
Camping: No camping in the park. There’s a campground at Chase County State Fishing Lake about seven miles south of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
Features: Creeks, Wildlife, Woods, Flint Hills, Pastures, Scenic Views
Hazards: Ticks are always a problem on grass-surface trails, check yourself often. You may also suffer chigger bites. Bug spray is highly recommended.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/tapr/index.htm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NPS.TallgrassPrairie/
Other Kansas hiking trails you may like:
The Two Section Trail at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve