Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve · Kansas

Bottomland Nature Trail

1.2 mi of trail, end to end · about 10 ft of climbing · 40 ft of descent · 1,180 ft–1,200 ft

1,194 ft 1,188 ft · 0.6 mi high 1,194 ft

Break on the Bottomland Trail the Park Service's write-up

10-120 Minutes · dogs allowed · season Winter walks are tranquil. Animal tracks are fun after fresh snow.<br /> Spring brings fresh green sprouts and more animal sightings.<br /> Summer explodes in color and pollen. The scene changes every few weeks from April through October.<br /> Fall brings the full height of plant growth to bear. "Tall in the Fall" accurately describes the vegetation reaching four to seven feet.

Start Bottomland Trail

A kiosk stands next to a white gravel trail through tall grasses and flowers.
Bottomland Nature Trail draws crowds interested in a light self-guided outing. Photo: NPS photo

The Bottomland Trail has a fine gravel path that loops through a small meadow by the river. Interpretive signs and benches allow easy pacing for anyone. Wildflowers bloom throughout the summer. The woods and river provide ample opportunities for bird viewing. Restrooms, bike rack, and picnic tables make an ideal stop for a break from driving. This dog-friendly trail also connects with the Fox Creek Trail for longer walks.

Accessibility The fine gravel trail is level grade. Gravel width is approximately six feet wide with grassy shoulders. The northeast section of trail loop provides a few feet of shade under trees.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 17 trails in Tallgrass Prairie National PreserveFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.