The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Lodge at Hart Prarie Preserve, Arizona. © John Hoffman

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

Hiking, walking, wildlife watching, birding View All

Plan Your Visit

Retreat facilities available for select organizations. View All

Get Directions

Surrounded by thousands of acres of cool forest and meadows, the 245-acre preserve is home to uncommon wildflowers, old growth ponderosa pine, a rare grove of Bebb willows, herds of elk and deer, porcupine, prairie dogs and more than 40 species of birds.

Hart Prairie Preserve, with its historic lodge and charming guest cabins, was donated to The Nature Conservancy in 1994 by a local family, owners of The Homestead at Hart Prairie, when they discovered that their property held a globally rare community of Bebb willow trees.

Much of the work at the preserve focuses on the Bebb willow community, the largest known in the world. Conservancy staff also works closely with partners at the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and various departments at Northern Arizona University on ecological restoration activities in the surrounding National Forest.

Preserve History
Conservancy preserves in Arizona share much of the colorful history of the state itself including indians and cowboys, the cavalry, prospectors and Eastern dudes even a Civil War skirmish. Where was that? 

Give Nature a Hand
Volunteers offer the Conservancy a way to complete more critically important work while developing lasting friendships and having a lot of fun. Learn more about volunteer opportunities with The Nature Conservancy in Arizona.

Location
Hart Prairie is located in Coconino County, 14 miles from Flagstaff, 150 miles from Phoenix, and 75 miles from the Grand Canyon.

Gear
Sturdy shoes, hat, sunscreen, binoculars and plenty of water.

Meetings & Retreats
Hart Prairie offers intimate retreat facilities for public or private organizations with a focus on land management, conservation, education and outreach.The facilities are available from late May until mid-October.  The Preserve is located just fourteen miles from Flagstaff, 150 miles from Phoenix, and 75 miles from the Grand Canyon.

Six buildings at the preserve, including the Lodge, are on the National Register of Historic Places, and house a catering kitchen, conference and dining room, fully equipped office, and lodging facilities. One-day or two-night minimum overnight stays are available for mission-related groups conducting retreats, conferences or workshops. Call  (928) 774-8892  or e-mail hartprairie@tnc.org for facility details. Meeting packages: The facility is not available for parties, receptions, weddings, reunions or other social events.

Questions?
Call (928) 774-8892  or e-mail hartprairie@tnc.org.

Things To Do

Summer Nature Walks
These ninety-minute walks offer the opportunity to learn more about birds, wildflowers, forest ecology, and the Conservancy’s work across the region. Nature Walks are every Sunday, June 19-October 16 (except Labor Day, September 4).

To join the walks, meet at the Fort Valley Plaza Shopping Center, 1000 N. Humphreys Street at the southwest corner by the guardrail, each Sunday at 10 a.m. The following items are essential to the walks: sturdy shoes, sun protection, rain gear or jacket, and water.

Reservations are not required. For more information, contact The Nature Conservancy at (928) 774-8892 ext. 5 or email hartprairie@tnc.org. Due to the ecologically sensitive area, please, no pets. 

Plants and Animals
Downloads available: Butterflies of Hart Prairie (.pdf, 4 mb); Birds and Animals Checklist (.pdf, 1 mb); Plants Checklist (.pdf, 476 kb)

Plan Your Visit

Those interested in visiting the preserve at other times than the Sunday nature walks should call (928) 774-8892 ext. 5 to make an appointment.

While the preserve is not open on a daily basis for visitors, Hart Prairie offers intimate retreat facilities for public or private organizations with a focus on land management, conservation, and education and outreach; and guided nature walks during the summer and fall.

Directions

Need help finding our preserves? Download directions (.pdf, 143 kb) to the six Arizona preserves open to the public.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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