Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve

Nature preserve · Osage County

Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve

Nature preserve · Osage County

15316 Co Rd 4201, Pawhuska, OK 74056

Highlights

Vast tallgrass prairie preserve with free bison viewing and scenic drives

15316 Co Rd 4201, Pawhuska, OK 74056 Get directions

nature.org

@travelleisure

The 50 Most Beautiful Places in the U.S.

"Native grasslands, the ecosystem perhaps most powerfully entwined with our national identity, are on the decline. This protected preserve is the largest sweep of tallgrass prairie in the world. Here, you can see the American plains as they looked centuries ago, with herds of bison (about 2,200 of the shaggy-haired beasts roam freely) and swaths of purple prairie clover." - Anne Olivia Bauso Anne Olivia Bauso Anne Olivia Bauso is a travel writer and hotel expert based in New York City. She has written hundreds of hotel reviews, from 5-star Ritz-Carlton properties to treehouse eco-resorts in the

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/most-beautiful-places-in-the-us

View Postcard for Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve

Marie Shelton

Google

Beautiful area. Unfortunately we mostly came to see bison but did not see any. There was some in the bison loop, but they were too far away to get a good look. If you're got binoculars, they would be helpful. Once on the preserve the road is all gravel. Your car will get dirty. The folks in the visitors center were extremely nice and knowledgeable. We did see some birds and a deer. Definitely coming back, hopefully see those bison next time around.

DFF

Google

Amazing place! Many herds with their babies. Definitely be alert. When they want to cross, they will cross. Went on Sunday afternoon. Gravel roads. (You will need a car wash. If you have an SUV or pickup, definitely would be helpful)

E Cheeney

Google

Beautiful drives. Lots of Bison to see. Stay in your car as the Bison are great to look at but can be very dangerous! Do not get near them. Spring is a great time to see the calves. They are cinnamon color and much lighter than the adults.

Sara Laymance

Google

Amazing place to drive through and see the bison. Took a short hike with amazing views. Chuck at the visitor center was super friendly and told me where to go see the baby bison along with tons of facts. Was also fun taking the unpaved roads out in my SUV.

Lydia Smith

Google

Was fun to drive through the preserve and see the buffalo herd. There are a lot of them, and baby ones too! The roads are not paved, so be aware of what vehicle you take to drive the loop. There were a few spots that were pretty washed out and bumpy. Also saw a few deer, birds, and a turtle, but other than the buffalo, that was about it. Was a pretty drive. Never saw the visitor center. There are several signs warning you not to get out of the vehicle, so make sure you obey that to stay safe!

UNEEDA Project

Google

This was an excellent experience, they had 1700 adult Buffalo with around 400 calves. The visitor center said they have 24,000 acres and it certainly seemed large enough to fit that. We got very close to the active herds from the road, and the visitor center had quite a few things for the kids to do and look at including real buffalo skulls and bones that they could touch and explore. The visitor center does not sell any souvenirs but they have very nice bathrooms, and the lady who was working at the visitor center was very pleasant and knowledgeable about the area.

Mike Martin

Google

It’s magnificent and it’s free! You will see Bison up close. As well as beautiful vistas. Kevin Costner said in Dances with wolves, “I wanna see the frontier before it’s gone.” This is your chance. American Tall grass prairie exactly like God made it.

Pasquale Salomone

Google

What an amazing place; definitely worth the 90 minutes drive from Tulsa. We were lucky to see Bisons up close. Great experience and the visitor center at the end of the bison loop has some more insights on bisons and other wild animals found in the prairie.