Tallgrass Prairie Preserve

Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is a protected grassland in Oklahoma where native plants reach impressive heights during warm months. The reserve encompasses expansive open prairie with diverse vegetation zones and rolling terrain typical of this ecosystem type.

A major conservation organization acquired significant portions of this land in the late 1980s to prevent destruction and establish permanent protection. This purchase sparked efforts to restore the original prairie ecosystem and bring wildlife back to the region.

The land holds deep meaning for the Osage Nation, whose history is woven into these prairies and continues to shape how the territory is valued today. Local communities view this place as a connection to their ancestors and the way of life that sustained them.

Visitors can explore during daylight hours using both driving loops and walking trails that cover different parts of the reserve. Arriving early improves chances of seeing wildlife and allows time to appreciate the landscape without feeling rushed.

The preserve sustains a large herd of free-roaming bison that actively shape the landscape through their grazing and natural movements. Seeing these animals in their habitat offers visitors a rare glimpse into how large herbivores naturally manage grassland ecosystems.