Come Experience the Kansas Flint Hills - Not what you think!
The Grassroots of America
Soaring and diving from hilltop to valley along one of the quiet country highways through the Flint Hills will quickly challenge your notions of prairie. Flat? Not here. Empty? Not if you look closely. The continent's largest remaining tract of tallgrass is also one of America's unique places, harboring a wealth of adventure, beauty, and history. The region's sweeping horizons and carpets of wildflowers captivate artists and enchant visitors.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve sits in the center of the Kansas Flint Hills and represents the way things were before changed by man. Some of the those changes have been good, some not so good. Let's see if we can recognize the best balance for all - and share it with people from around the world.
- Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Tallgrass prairie once covered 170 million acres of North America. Within a generation the vast majority was developed and plowed under. Today less than 4% remains, mostly here in the Kansas Flint Hills. The preserve protects a nationally significant
The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
My photo of the barn on the day of special event I attended
This site was a working ranch for many years. It is now preserved through a public-private trust and many good Kansas Flint Hills supporters.
This three-story stone barn is a center of attention at the Preserve. Come see the exhibits, and enjoy the view from the barn.
Tallgrass Prairie on Amazon
The Kansas Flint Hills were featured in National Geographic article
Come see some magnificent photos and read the remarkable story about this distinctive landscape - that you didn't know was hidden away in east-central Kansas.
- National Geographic Article on the Kansas Flint Hills
"In the Flint Hills of Kansas, the nation's last great expanse of tallgrass prairie anchors a world renewed by fire."
Horses on the prairie
A subtle approach works best on the tallgrass prairie
These are horses grazing on a ranch in the Kansas Flint Hills. The wind is always blowing the quiet is something many of us have never experienced like this before. Come give it a try.
Click on this photograph I took one day - to be taken to a number of articles written about the Kansas Flint Hills (some the links may be old, but the good ones make up for them...)
You will be surprised - one of the first is in the New York Times...
Kansas Flint Hills on Amazon
Links to some Kansas Flint Hills Blogs - The Flint Hills are an incredible, wonderful, almost magical place. There's no other place like it. - Naturalist Jan Ja
The blogs at these links, each tell the story of the Kansas Flint Hills in their own distinctive way.
- Country at Heart
This is the blog of author Debroah Vogts - she and her family live in the Flint Hills, on a ranch, with horses and dogs and daughters. Her novels tell stories that are true to the Flint Hills spirit. Her blog is, as well. It is maintained regularly, - Flint Hills, Tall Grass
This blog does not have regular entries, but each one there is extremely well researched and written as well as included great photography. Take a leisurely look through these blog posts to begin to feel a part of the Kansas Flint Hills. - The Flint Hills of Kansas
This is the blog I maintained from 2005 through 2009, when I retired from my professor position in the Kansas Flint Hills. Much of the history of efforts to preserve and promote the Flints Hills, and a Flint Hills Heritage Area, are recorded here. - Spirit Creek Farm
Photos and stories of real people living in the Kansas Flint Hills area - and loving and living every minute.
Flying W Ranch
Honoring the Cowboy Traditions of the Tall grass Prairie, Kansas Flint Hills - Flying W Ranch
"Come experience the authentic cowboy lifestyle, complete with horseback riding, cattle round ups, wagon rides, prairie burns, wildflower walks, star gazing, fishing and hiking in the Kansas Flint Hills. The Flying W Ranch is located in the heart of the Flint Hills, America’s last tallgrass prairie, and is operated by fifth-generation Flint Hills ranchers Josh and Gwen Hoy. This 7,000 acre cattle ranch offers grand vistas, relaxation, and memorable experiences for all of its guests."
Double click on the photo to see all that the Flying W now has to offer their guests. When I took that photo, perhaps 2006 or so, they had a couple of bunk houses, catered chuck wagon meals, and ran a sizable ranch. Now there is so much more, for the whole region. Enjoy your visit.
Horses at Grandview Ranch
When I took this photo, Grandview Ranch provided guided interpretive horseback riding opportunities around the Flint HIlls. These are now provided by the Flying W Ranch operation. Click on this photo to go directly to the horseback riding options available.
Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) - Located near Manhattan, Kansas, part of Kansas State University
The Konza Prairie is a special part of the Kansas Flint Hills region.
- Konza Prairie
"The Konza Prairie LTER is a comprehensive ecological research, education and outreach program, centered on one of the most productive grasslands in North America – the tallgrass prairie."
Konza Prairie
Photo: Konza in spring with herd of bison in distance
Click on the photo, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, to go to the Wikipedia information on the Konza Prairie, in the Kansas Flint Hills.
