Scenic Overlook Trail (Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve) Hiking Guide
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, north of Strong City in the Flint Hills, protects one of the last big pieces of tallgrass prairie, and its Scenic Overlook Trail is the walk into the bison herd's pasture. The National Park Service calls it by far the most popular trail leading up to the bison herd. It follows a wide gravel ranch road up to a hilltop with a sweeping view of open prairie.
The Route
The Park Service puts the Scenic Overlook 3.2 miles out from the visitor center, 6.5 miles round trip, or 7.5 miles if you loop back on the Davis Trail. Hiking Project maps the one-way leg at 3.6 miles with about 266 feet of climbing, which works out to roughly 330 feet over the round trip. After the hill up to trail marker 14 the road is relatively flat, and the overlook gives what the NPS calls a commanding view of the prairie. Large limestone markers at each junction carry a map and a location number.
Bison
The bison live in the Windmill Pasture and sometimes the West Traps Pasture, and signs mark every gate into their range. The herd sometimes stands right on the road, so be ready to wait or to walk a wide detour off trail. The Park Service asks hikers to stay at least 125 yards away, never run in the pasture, and read the tail: one raised straight up is a warning that the animal may charge. Bison can run up to 35 mph. Calves arrive around April and May, and bulls are most aggressive during the August and September rut.
Fees, Hours and Rules
There is no entrance fee, and backcountry trails are open 24 hours a day with no permit. Access is on foot only: no bikes, horses or vehicles, and pets are not allowed on the backcountry trails except service animals. There is no camping or overnight parking. The visitor center sits 3 miles north of Strong City on KS-177, a 60 mph highway with no shoulder, and the park's alert warns of a blind spot across from the ranch house; use the highway underpass instead of crossing on foot.
Burns and Weather
The Flint Hills are burned on purpose to keep the prairie healthy. Spring burns run from late February through April, and fall burns can happen in October and November. Staff close nearby trails before each burn, sometimes with less than two hours' notice, so check the park's alerts or call ahead. The trail has no shade, grass trails turn slick after even a short rain, and thunderstorms and high winds come up fast on the open prairie.
About the Preserve
Tallgrass prairie once covered 170 million acres of North America; the NPS says less than 4 percent remains, mostly in the Kansas Flint Hills. The preserve was established on November 12, 1996, and has nearly 11,000 acres. Start or finish at the historic ranch headquarters from the 1880s, where the limestone mansion and outbuildings are open for self-guided tours.
Hiking tips for Scenic Overlook Trail (Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve)
- Ask a ranger at the visitor center where the bison are before you set out.
- Give the herd at least 125 yards, even if it means leaving the road.
- Bring sun protection and water; there is no shade on the route.
- Check for prescribed-burn closures in spring and fall.
- Use the highway underpass, not KS-177, to reach the trails across the road.
Nearby trails to explore
- Southwind Nature Trail (Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve)
- Konza Prairie Nature Trail
- Blue Trail (Clinton Lake North Shore)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
A bison pasture hike is a good reason for a Flint Hills road trip. Post the Scenic Overlook on TrailMates, plan the drive and start time in the event's group chat, and walk out to the view together. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.