Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways - 2024/2025
Where to Watch Wildlife
2024-07-19 07:34:36
From a lone mountain goat foraging among the tundra to a flock of 8,000 snow geese filling the prairie sky, a wide array of wildlife can be seen across the entire state. Here are six noteworthy sites:
- Georgetown Reservoir Viewing Station (Guanella Pass) – Located on the outskirts of Georgetown, this observation point allows travelers the best chance to spot the state mammal, the bighorn sheep.
2. Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge (Los Caminos Antiguos) – Visit this sanctuary in March to see thousands of migrating sandhill cranes feeding in the grasses and soaring in enormous flocks.
3. Pawnee Buttes (Pawnee Pioneer Trails) – This pair of buttes is also a great place to see herds of pronghorn and the Colorado state bird, the lark bunting.
4. Summit Lake (Mount Blue Sky) – This pristine tundra lake is one of the most reliable places to see mountain goats and white-tailed ptarmigan.
5. Moraine Park (Trail Ridge Road) – This U-shaped, glacier-carved valley lies beneath Trail Ridge Road and is one of the best places in North America to hear bugling elk during the fall rutting season.
6. Horsethief Canyon State Wildlife Area (Dinosaur Diamond) – This unique riparian habitat on the Colorado River near Fruita is great for seeing desert bighorn sheep, collared lizards and countless waterfowl.
Look for this brown binocular sign along the byways. It indicates wildlife-viewing areas.
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