Golden Prairie Bison: Get a Glimpse into Life on the Plains

I took a tour toward the end of July, the perfect time to experience the prairie to the fullest. Throughout my entire life, I had never done anything like this making the experience even more surreal. I took a tour toward the end of July, the perfect time to experience the prairie to the fullest. Throughout my entire life, I had never done anything like this making the experience even more surreal. 

Golden Prairie Bison provides two tour options. The first option is a one and a half to two hour private educational tour from inside the tour vehicle. The second option is a two to two and a half-hour private educational tour where you’ll be riding on an open-air flatbed trailer. 

The tours are led by owner of the ranch Carl Simmons who is sure to give you a good time. From telling stories and facts about the prairie to cracking jokes, Carl is the ideal tour guide for your experience. 

The tour starts at the home of Carl and Vicki Simmons overlooking the prairie and Niobrara River. This beautiful view will leave you in awe of the expanse below. 

After admiring the view, it’s time to begin the drive through the prairie. During the drive, you are able to get up close and personal with the bison. Going in knowing nothing about this experience, it was definitely a bit of a shock for me when we began to drive directly through the middle of the bison herd. However, this experience is something you won’t regret. As Carl rolled down the windows, bison began to stick their heads through the window and we even got to feed the bison. However, be warned that some bison get greedy when it comes to food.

While we came for the bison, we also found something just as fascinating. Burrowing owls are scattered all over the prairie, making it their home for the summer. We sat there and admired as the owls popped up out of their holes and flew across the prairie, something I had never seen before. 

This tour will teach you so much about the prairie from the plants to the animals to the history. Carl stopped to show us a variety of different plants, explaining what each one was called and how they contributed to prairie life. We also learned about the importance of bison, who restore grasslands and build ecosystems around them through grazing. Grazing breaks through the soil allowing rainfall to be better absorbed. Bison also provide nutrients to the grasslands. It was incredible to learn about this and made me wonder what the grasslands would look like without the bison there to support it. 

The cherry on top of this tour was saving a box turtle from the middle of the road. While driving alongside the prairie, we suddenly saw a small creature crawling toward safety. Jenna Bartja, Visit Nebraska’s Community Activation Manager, quickly told Carl to stop. We walked up to the creature and I grew excited as we realized it was a turtle. We then took turns holding and admiring the turtle before safely placing it on the other side of the road. The ornate box turtle, native to Nebraska, spends lots of time in the prairie. As a turtle lover myself, it was a nice surprise to get to see one of these up close. 

This once in a lifetime experience gives you a chance to feel aligned with the prairie and wildlife as you explore the different parts of this ecosystem. Also, throughout this tour, you get to step back in time and get a glimpse into what the landscape might have looked like as pioneers journeyed across Nebraska. 

Before you leave, make sure to check out the store and pick up some native grass fed bison or browse many other beautiful homemade products.