Hike the Prairie at the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Pawhuska, OK

You don’t often hear “hike the prairie,” and think of great hiking opportunities. We felt the same way, but that was until we got out there and started to explore and experience just what it meant to be in the middle of last remaining remnants of the original tallgrass prairie that covered central North America. For us, it was something so completely different then our hikes anywhere else.

Do pick up a trail brochure: first it’ll help you navigate the three interconnected trails so you maximize your hike and cover all the terrain; and second there are numbered markers along the trails that coincide with information presented in the brochure, so you can learn about the ecology and history of the area as you hike along.

We began our hike at the trailhead and followed the Study Trail up to its intersection with the Prairie Earth Trail. From there we followed the Prairie Earth Trail for its entire two miles. The trail gently climbs to top of a hill on the prairie, then descends down towards Sand Creek where it at first follows the edge of an oak forest that surrounds the creek, and then enters the forest and follows Sand Creek downstream. It’s here where some of that “steep and rugged” terrain comes into play, but it’s just the trail going up and down the drainages along Sand Creek, along with rocky and during wet times, muddy conditions. The trail eventually moves away from Sand Creek towards the intersection with the Study Trail.

For More Information On This Hike and the Preserve

To find additional information about the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve visit:

• Their Website
• Download the Joseph Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve Brochure
• Download the Trail Brochure

Explore the rest of Oklahoma’s natural areas and hiking opportunities with these guides:

• Purchase the Hiking Oklahoma Guidebook, which include this hike
• Purchase the Oklahoma Hiking Trails Guidebook

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