Photograph the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve

Near the town of Pawhuska and about a 50-minute drive west of Bartlesville, is the incredibly scenic Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. The 50 mile drive through it spans to the Kansas border. Along all the way, you can see thousands of roaming buffalo, beautiful wildflowers, tallgrass, cattle, and many other kinds of wildlife.

The most popular route through the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is to take the 15.7 mile gravel road from US-60 to the visitor center. Start at Lynn Road from US-60, then turn right onto Country Road 4070 before taking another right on Country Road 4201. There are several scenic turnouts along the way. At about 14 miles you will reach an intersection. If you take a right, it will lead you to the visitor center with a 2 mile nature trail that will take you to an overlook. If you take a left to head towards the town of Foraker, you will be able to access the 6-mile Bison Loop. The Bison Loop is the route where you will likely see most of the buffalo. It reconnects to Country Road 4201 where you can either head straight back to US-60 or you can go on to head towards Kansas.

Spring is one of the most popular times to visit the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve because that is when all the baby buffaloes are born and when the wildflowers are in full bloom. Please keep a very good and respectful distance from the buffalo and do not photograph them in close range. Bring a telephoto lens to be able to capture any wildlife that you encounter.

The Tallgrass Prairie is free of charge to enter and is open from dawn to dusk.