Post
Intermediate wheatgrass as a dual use crop for grain and grazing
Main Menu
Visiting The Land Institute is a journey into the heart of Kansas’s prairie landscape. Located along Interstate 70 (I70), Salina is situated west of Kansas City and Lawrence and north of Wichita. It is easily accessible by car from major highways and airports. The Land Institute’s campus is located just south of Salina, with Prairie Festival 2026 taking place near our headquarters along the banks of the Smoky Hill River.
Once in Salina, there are over 2,000 hotel rooms available in town, as well as housing rentals in the city and neighboring towns. There are also two hotels in Salina offering hotel blocks with special rates to Prairie Festival attendees. See more details below on how to travel to Salina and where to stay once you arrive.
For September 25-27, 2026 this hotel is holding a total of 30 rooms for guests attending the Prairie Festival. Single Queen Studio Suites will be priced at $113 + tax per night. Double bed Suites will be priced at $123 + tax per night. The cutoff date for booking is 8/28/26.
To make a reservation, you can use this link to book online, or call the hotel directly at 785-823-6939 (and dial #2 for the front desk) to let the front desk agent know you would like to reserve a room under the Prairie Festival block.
To make a reservation under this hotel block, use this link to book online. Single king beds are priced at $119 per night, and double queen bed rooms are $129 per night. 25 rooms are available per day under this block (15 kings and 10 queens). The cutoff date for reservations at the block rate is September 1, 2026.
There are several other lodging options in town near the event venue. Click here to see all hotel options in the area, and see below for the names of specific hotels in list format. Please note that these hotels are not offering block rates and can be reserved at standard pricing.
Camping passes are available as a $25/vehicle add-on during online registration. Camping includes access to potable water, portable toilets, solar showers, and space for a primitive setup in the on-site camping area adjacent to festival activities. The camping area is designated for tent and car camping only for standard-size vehicles (cars, trucks, SUVs) —no RVs, campers, hookups, or campfires are permitted.
For those who purchase a camping pass for their vehicle during registration, check-in will run from 3 pm – 5 pm on Friday, September 25, and check-out must be completed by 12:30 pm on Sunday, September 27.
Additional details will be shared with vehicle holders who purchase a camping add-on with their ticket. To register for Prairie Festival 2026 and select the camping add-on, click here.
See frequently asked questions related to event logistics, including scheduling, accessibility, camping, and more.
We’ll share additional details, including the full schedule, with newsletter subscribers and registered attendees and on our website as the event approaches. You can sign up to receive email communications from the Land Institute at the bottom of this page. You can also refer to our event landing page, which will be updated with the most up-to-date information on the event schedule.
Clothing for shifting Kansas weather (sun protection if it’s sunny, a rain layer if it’s wet), sunscreen and insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, comfortable shoes, a notebook—or your preferred way of capturing and processing the world—and an open mind.
You’re also welcome to bring snacks or additional food, depending on what best supports your experience.
Yes, free parking will be available on site for all attendees. Additional details will be shared with registrants closer to the event.
Please share any accessibility needs through our contact form, and our team will follow up as needed to support your experience. We will have a select number of handicap parking spots available near the event venue, as well as cart transportation from the parking lot to the festival grounds for those who require assistance. Service animals are allowed at Prairie Festival.
Please note that the festival grounds will consist of mowed grass on mostly flat surfaces, but uneven ground may be present at certain spots since the event takes place outdoors. Guests are encouraged to bring their own mobility aids, as The Land Institute does not provide them on-site. If you foresee any issues that may prevent you from having a smooth event experience, please reach out to us through our contact form, and we will do our best to support you.
We are not offering a virtual attendance option. However, keynote speakers will have their sessions live streamed. Stay tuned for more information on where to find livestream links.
Prairie Festival takes place outdoors and will proceed rain or shine. We encourage participants to come prepared for shifting Kansas weather conditions.
In the case of severe or dangerous weather, we may adjust programming or make changes to ensure the safety of all participants. We’ll communicate any updates as needed.
No. To support the comfort and safety of the Prairie Festival community, we ask that pets remain at home.
Service animals are welcome. If you plan to attend with a service animal, please contact us in advance so we can support your experience.
Cell service is generally available, though it may vary. Wi-Fi will be available for speakers and featured artists as needed, but not broadly across the site. We encourage participants to plan accordingly.
Yes. On-site primitive camping is available as a $25/vehicle add-on during registration. The camping area is designated for tent and car camping only for standard-size vehicles (cars, trucks, SUVs) —no RVs, campers, hookups, or campfires are permitted.
Camping includes access to potable water, portable toilets, solar showers, and space for a primitive setup in the on-site camping area adjacent to festival activities. Additional details will be shared with vehicle holders who purchase a camping add-on with their ticket.
Camping availability may be limited. We recommend reserving your spot during registration. For those who purchase a camping pass for their vehicle during registration, check-in will begin at 3 pm on Friday, September 25, and check-out must be completed by 12 pm on Sunday, September 27.
