About The Area
Konza Prairie Biological Station is a 8,617-acre native tallgrass prairie preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy and operated as a research station by Kansas State University. This internationally-renowned outdoor laboratory attracts scientists from all over the world for long-term ecological research, including studies focusing on the effects of fire and grazing on grassland ecosystems. Since Konza Prairie is a research station, most of the area is off-limits to visitors. However, public nature trails are open from dawn to dusk every day of the year. The trail system consists of three loop trails all beginning at the same trail head and parking area. A 2.5-mile trail winds through lowland gallery forests and climbs over limestone ledges until it reaches upland tallgrass prairie. At the highest point it gives a spectacular view of the Flint Hills and the Kansas River Valley. Sometimes bison can be seen in the distance. Longer loops of 4.6 miles and 6.2 miles are available for those wanting to spend more time birding the Flint Hills on foot. Wild Turkeys, Dicksissels and Eastern Kingbirds are common in lowland fields. Louisiana Waterthrushes, Summer Tanagers and other woodland birds can be found along Kings Creek. Grasshopper Sparrows, Lark Sparrows, Eastern and Western Meadowlarks, Upland Sandpipers and other grassland birds will be seen in the uplands. In winter, Northern Harriers will be flying low over the prairie with their floppy erratic flight and woody thickets will hold juncos and a variety of sparrows including Tree and Harris’s Sparrows.