the restored bunkhouse in which the cowboys lived. The main building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NR 01000208). Oklahoma State University has a research station near the visitor center. Near Salt Creek are two hiking trails. One is a short nature trail; the other is a 2-mile (3 km) trail that climbs to overlooks over the creek and through the riparian forest. Frequently, bison are seen just across the fence that separates the hiking area from grazing areas. White-tailed deer are abundant in the wooded areas. The principal activity for the 10,000 visitors who annually come to the preserve is driving the many dirt roads to observe the numerous bison. Often hundreds of bison may be seen near – and sometimes blocking – the roads. Scenic turnouts along the roads provide broad vistas of the rolling prairie, emerald green in spring, tall and brown in fall, and dotted with wildflowers in the summer. Noted Osage author John Joseph Mathews had a small cabin in the Osage Hills, where he did much of his writing. At his request, he was buried near his cabin. About 2014 the Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma bought the plot including his cabin and gravesite, and have added it to the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. The cabin will be preserved and the public will be allowed limited access. See also Conservation of American bison List of protected grasslands of North America References External links Tallgrass Prairie Preserve Tallgrass Prairie Preserve page including photos and videos on TravelOK.com - Oklahoma's Official tourism website Restoration Row, New York Times article by Timothy Egan, May 28, 2008 Voices of Oklahoma interview with Harvey Payne and Jenk Jones First person interview conducted on July 15, 2014 with Harvey Payne and Jenk Jones talking about the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. Nature reserves in Oklahoma Geography of Oklahoma Grasslands of the North American Great Plains Grasslands of Oklahoma Nature Conservancy preserves Protected areas of Osage County, Oklahoma Flora of Oklahoma Prairies Protected areas established in 1989 1989 establishments in Oklahoma