Golden Prairie, National Natural Landmark in Barton County, Missouri, United States.
Golden Prairie is a protected grassland in Barton County featuring extensive tallgrass stands, sandstone outcrops, and limestone formations across rolling terrain. The site spans roughly 630 acres and reveals the layered landscape through exposed rock formations and thick native grass cover that shapes the environment.
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.
The prairie serves as a living laboratory where researchers actively study grassland ecology and document plant and animal diversity. Visitors can observe the role this place plays in scientific work and ecological conservation today.
Two gravel parking areas provide access to different sections of the protected land, with one serving the eastern sandstone prairie and the other the western limestone areas. The unpaved surface becomes muddy in wet weather, so visit during drier periods for easier access and exploration.
The site is home to rare native bee species found nowhere else in Missouri, including the Callirhoe bee and blue sage bee that rely on specific prairie plants. These insects have become closely adapted to the conditions found only at this location.
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