The Nature Conservancy manages this beautiful native prairie tract called Hole-in-the-Mountain Prairie.

DIRECTIONS: From the City of Lake Benton, you can drive south of the town on Highway 75 about 2 miles to Hole-in-the-Mountain Prairie on the West side of the road.

This Nature Conservancy tract in the rolling valley atop the Prairie Coteau gives one with an imagination what the pioneers of this area were able to behold. If you want more of this type of land conserved or restored, a contribution to the Nature Conservancy is money well spent. Spring migration in this area can bring raptor after raptor, and seems an ideal place to hope for a Ferruginous Hawk. Or perhaps in the fall it would be more likely to search for Smith’s Longspur in the shorter grass areas. And while we’re dreaming, why not dream of the return of a Burrowing Owl. Most likely the Bobolink and Western Meadowlark will keep you company, but keep your eyes peeled for a drifting Lark Bunting or Chestnut-collared Longspur.