Zumwalt Prairie, National Natural Landmark grassland in Wallowa County, US
Zumwalt Prairie is a vast grassland covering roughly 330,000 acres situated on a basalt plateau in northeastern Oregon between 3,500 and 5,500 feet in elevation. Native bunchgrasses and wildflowers make up most of the vegetation across this open landscape.
This land served as home and hunting grounds for the Chief Joseph band of the Nez Perce until Euro-American settlers arrived in the 1850s. Their arrival led to the displacement of the Native American tribes from these territories.
The Nature Conservancy manages part of this grassland while working alongside local ranchers who maintain cattle herds across the prairie. This partnership shapes how the landscape looks today and shows how farming and conservation coexist in this region.
Four marked hiking trails cross this grassland and let you explore on foot through the open terrain. Bring your own water and food since this remote location has no services or facilities.
This grassland hosts one of North America's highest concentrations of hunting birds, including Ferruginous Hawks, Swainson Hawks, Golden Eagles, and Prairie Falcons. Birders and nature watchers find exceptional opportunities to spot these raptors throughout the open terrain.
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