Indiangrass Preserve & Katy Prairie Welcome Center
Why Visit Indiangrass?
If you're visiting the Katy Prairie Preserve for the first time, start here.
Indiangrass Preserve is home to the Katy Prairie Welcome Center, the gateway to the Katy Prairie Preserve. From here, visitors can explore restored wetlands, native prairie, demonstration gardens and an expanding trail system while discovering one of North America's most endangered ecosystems.
Whether you're interested in wildlife, native plants, birding, photography, volunteering or simply spending time outdoors, Indiangrass offers the perfect introduction to the prairie.
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Help us protect wildlife and sensitive habitats by following preserve guidelines:
Stay on designated trails to protect the ecosystem.
Pedestrian use only: no bicycles, motorized vehicles, or horses.
Leave no trace: pack out any trash.
Do not feed or disturb wildlife.
Dogs and pets that aren’t service animals are strictly prohibited.
Smoking, alcohol, firearms, and loud music are prohibited.
Swimming is not allowed.
Fishing and hunting are not allowed without permission by CPC.
Minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Visitor Information
Hours
Public Access Hours
Tuesdays | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Fridays | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Saturdays | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
First Weekends on the Prairie
1st Fridays | 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
1st Saturdays | 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
1st Sundays | 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location
Address
31975 Hebert Road
Waller, TX 77484
Visitor Notes
Public Restrooms
Water Bottle Refill Station
Welcome Center
Educational Exhibits
Shaded Pavilion with Picnic Benches
Native Plant Gardens
Parking
Explore the Preserve
Whether you're volunteering, birdwatching from the Pintail Bird Blind, photographing wildlife, exploring trails, or learning about prairie restoration, Indiangrass offers something for every visitor.
Explore Key Features
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The visitor hub for the Katy Prairie Preserve, featuring educational exhibits, restrooms, a water bottle refill station, meeting space, native plant gardens, and year-round programs
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A scenic trail through restored prairie and wetlands, showcasing native plants, wildlife, and one of the preserve's signature restoration projects.
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A favorite destination for birdwatchers and photographers, the Pintail Bird Blind overlooks wetland habitat that attracts waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and other wildlife.
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Thousands of native plants are grown here each year from locally sourced native seeds to restore prairies across Southeast Texas.
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Enjoy expansive views of the Bing Prairie and restored wetlands as this scenic loop winds past our research prairies and around a future fishing pond.
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Active research sites where staff and partners study prairie restoration and ecosystem health. Right now, we are growing corn as an experimental food plot for migratory waterfowl and cranes.
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A demonstration garden showcasing native plants outside the Welcome Center.
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A community farm partnership demonstrating how agriculture and conservation can thrive together.
The Katy Prairie Welcome Center: Headquarters of the Katy Prairie Preserve
The Welcome Center is the heart of the Katy Prairie Preserve, welcoming visitors, volunteers, researchers, conservation partners, and landowners. Whether you're exploring the preserve, attending a workshop, volunteering, or joining a guided program, this is the perfect place to begin your visit.
The Story of the Indiangrass Preserve
Indiangrass Preserve is more than a nature preserve. It is an active restoration site where visitors can see conservation in action.
Purchased from Dow Chemical in 2002, the property was formerly used as an agricultural research farm. Beginning in 2017, the Coastal Prairie Conservancy launched a major effort to completely restore the site's historic prairie and wetland ecosystems.
Using historical aerial imagery and ecological data, staff and partners recreated wetlands, restored native prairie habitat, and began a long-term stewardship effort that continues today.
Because coastal prairies are disturbance-dependent ecosystems, restoration is never truly finished. Native seed collection, invasive species management, prescribed fire, cattle grazing, wetland management, wildlife monitoring, and habitat improvements are all ongoing parts of caring for this landscape.
See the Prairie Change Through the Seasons
Every visit is different. Wildflowers bloom, wetlands rise and fall, migratory birds arrive and depart, and restoration continues throughout the year.
Explore the prairie through our interactive Chronolog and discover how the landscape changes with the seasons.
Help Us Understand the Prairie
Every wildlife observation helps us better understand and protect the Katy Prairie.
Visitors are encouraged to submit sightings through eBird and iNaturalist. These observations support research, habitat management, and long-term conservation across the preserve.
New to the Prairie?
The best way to experience the prairie is through one of our guided programs at the Indiangrass Preserve. Browse our Event Calendar to find your first prairie experience.
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First Weekends on the Prairie
Extended public hours on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of each month provide additional opportunities to explore the preserve.
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Stewardship Saturdays
Work alongside staff and volunteers on habitat restoration projects while learning about prairie ecology and conservation.
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Beginner Bird Walks
Learn bird identification skills while exploring one of the region's most important bird habitats.
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Volunteer Workdays
Help restore prairie habitat, collect native seed, maintain trails, and support conservation projects.
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Prairie Adventures
Experience the prairie in new and exciting ways through expert-led outdoor activities like wildflower walks, foraging classes, natural journaling, art classes, photography workshops, star gazing, night hikes, and more.
Living Laboratory: See Research & Conservation in Action
Indiangrass serves as an outdoor classroom and research site where scientists, students, conservation practitioners, and community members work together to better understand and restore coastal prairie ecosystems.
Visitors may encounter active research projects throughout the preserve and are encouraged to learn more about them.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We recommend beginning at the Welcome Center, exploring the Ann Hamilton Trail and Prairie Wetlands, and attending a First Weekend on the Prairie event or guided program.
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The Ann Hamilton Trail and Prairie Wetlands area provide some of the easiest access to restored prairie, wetlands, wildlife viewing opportunities, and educational features.
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You can hike the Ann Hamilton Trail and South Trail. Please remain on designated trails.
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Yes. Restrooms are available at the Katy Prairie Welcome Center.
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Absolutely. Indiangrass is a great destination for families, photographers, birders, students, and anyone interested in nature and conservation.
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Depending on the season, visitors may encounter migratory birds, waterfowl, raptors, pollinators, amphibians, reptiles, and a wide variety of native prairie plants.
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Every season offers something different. Spring brings wildflowers and migration, summer showcases prairie grasses and pollinators, fall features bird migration, and winter offers excellent birdwatching opportunities.
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Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year through Stewardship Saturdays, native plant nursery workdays, habitat restoration projects, and special events.
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Yes. Indiangrass regularly hosts workshops, field days, and educational programs for landowners interested in conservation, restoration, wildlife habitat management, and working lands stewardship. If you are interested in learning about land conservation opportunities, explore prairiepartner.org.