Tallgrass Trail
check with the trail manager for updated details before visiting.
Tallgrass Trail
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Backcountry Trail
- Length
2.5 miles
- Elevation Gain
--
- Route Type
Loop
- Length
2.5 miles - Elevation Gain
-- - Route Type
Loop
The Overlook portion of the trail is wheelchair accessible, 1/3 mile long, and concrete paved. It forms a loop at the top of the hill overlooking the prairie and the bison enclosure. The Tallgrass Trail is an asphalt paved, 2-mile-long trail that takes the user through the restored tallgrass prairie adjacent to the bison enclosure. There are some steep grades on this trail.
Location: At Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge next to the Prairie Learning and Visitor Center on the outskirts of Prairie City, Iowa
- States: Iowa
- Counties: Jasper
- Cities/Townships: None
The Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest prairie reconstructions in the state of Iowa. Over 3,500 acres have been reconstructed or restored to native tallgrass prairie and oak savanna. Nowhere else in the state or in the country can visitors enjoy the views and interpretive experience of the tallgrass prairie as they can from this trail.
The Overlook portion of the trail is wheelchair accessible, 1/3 mile long, and concrete paved. It forms a loop at the top of the hill overlooking the prairie and the bison enclosure. It also provides additional interpretation about prairie reconstruction/restoration work at the refuge and the bison herd that is viewed from the trail.
The Tallgrass Trail is an asphalt paved, 2-mile-long trail that takes the user through the restored tallgrass prairie adjacent to the bison enclosure. There are some steep grades (give the degree of the grades) on this trail. We allow the prairie grasses and plants to meet the edge of the trail so that in July and August when the grasses and flowering plants reach their greatest height, the visitor can experience the impact of the prairie vegetation that is described in early pioneer and emigrant journals: plants reaching to horses bellies and children getting lost in fields.
Accessibility Information
No text provided.
Allowed Uses:
Hiking/Walking Snow, cross-country skiing Snow, snowshoeingOther Activities
- Heritage and history
- Snow, snow play general
- Wildlife viewing / observation
Public Contact
Christy SmithU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 399
Prairie City, IA 50327
[email protected] • (515) 994-3400
Contact the trail manager for current maps and visiting details.
More Details
- Elevation (low): 850
- Elevation (high): 900
- Elevation (cumulative): --
- Part of a Trail System? No
- National Designations: None
- State Designations: None
- Surface (primary): Paved
- Surfaces (additional): Paved, Snow or ice
- Tread Width (average): 96"
- Tread Width (minimum): 96
- Running length (minimum): --
- Tread Grade (average, percent): 2
- Tread Grade (maximum): 6
- Running length (maximum): --
- Cross-slope (average, percent): 0
- Cross-slope (maximum): --
- Running length (maximum): --
- Certified as an NRT
May 29, 2012