Golden Prairie, National Natural Landmark in Barton County, Missouri, United States.

Golden Prairie is a 630-acre tallgrass prairie near Golden City in Barton County, Missouri, named for its proximity to the town. Its core 320 acres is a National Natural Landmark. The rolling ground developed from Mississippian sandstones, shales and cherty limestone, producing dry-mesic sandstone prairie, chert prairie, hardpan prairie, prairie swales and a segment of a prairie headwater stream.

The Missouri Prairie Foundation acquired the land during the 1970s and secured its long-term protection as a conservation area. Official designation as a National Natural Landmark followed, establishing its importance for ecological preservation.

Golden Prairie's name comes from its proximity to Golden City. The land was used for hay from the time European settlers arrived, and the Missouri Prairie Foundation began restoring it in the early 1970s with controlled burns, tree removal and control of invasive plants. A history of the prairie appeared in the summer 2015 Missouri Prairie Journal.

Golden Prairie lies near Golden City in Barton County, Missouri, and is reached by unpaved roads; the 630-acre site has no visitor facilities, so bring water and wear sturdy footwear. The core 320-acre Natural Area is the most intact section. Spring and early summer bring the most blooming plants; controlled burns are used in restoration, so some ground may be blackened.

The federally endangered prairie chicken, once common here, has not been observed at Golden Prairie for several years. The state-endangered prairie mole cricket, regal fritillary butterfly and Arkansas darter still occur on the site. Among over 340 vascular plants recorded are big bluestem, prairie dropseed and the rarer royal catchfly (Silene regia).