It’s Time to See the Bison
Visiting Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
Everyone is thinking about pumpkin season and Halloween costumes, but my family and I are also thinking about bison. Now that the weather is finally cooler, it is the perfect time for a drive to the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Pawhuska. Only slightly over an hour and a half from Tulsa, it makes a perfect, memorable day trip. Its official name is Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, and it covers a whopping 39,650 acres. Free-ranging bison are the major attraction, and they enjoy milder weather in the spring and fall, making it more common to see them moving about.
The 15-mile drive within the preserve takes time, but know that it is a beautiful drive. You’ll want to drive slowly to be safe and also so that you don’t miss a bison sighting. Sometimes bison are right next to or crossing the road, and other times you can spot a herd farther away. It is shocking and magical when children spot bison close by the road – just remind them to stay in the vehicle!
There are plenty of lookout points in the preserve where you can stop, get out, stretch and take photos. Some of the views are breathtaking. We have been during all times of the year, and the change in color during autumn is charming on the prairie. There is also a system of trails for hikers, though pets are not welcome. Wherever you are on the preserve, it is important to leave natural features such as rocks, flowers, and other artifacts just as they are.
The trails are close to the preserve headquarters, where there is a visitor center and historic ranch bunkhouse that are certainly worth visiting. There are also bathrooms and picnic tables nearby. If you aren’t up for packing food, downtown Pawhuska offers a great selection of eateries. I suggest planning accordingly though, as most visitors stay at the preserve for several hours. The drive from the preserve’s south entrance to downtown Pawhuska is 10 miles, and the distance from the preserve’s visitor center to downtown Pawhuska is 17 miles.
We’ve all seen headlines in the past several years about wild animal encounters gone wrong, but I’ll note it anyway – never get too close to a bison. Do they look fuzzy and cute? Yes. Are their big, shiny noses extra adorable? Some might say so. However, you must fight the temptation because these massive animals could seriously injure a person if provoked. Leave space for them to do their bison thing in their natural habitat.
Visit The Nature Conservancy’s website to learn more about Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve and the amazing work they are doing to keep the prairie vibrant.
Fun fact:
Have you ever wondered what the difference between a bison and a buffalo is? There are actually many differences, but a few noteworthy ones include the bison’s hump and huge head, neither of which the buffalo have in comparison.
