Pinyon Mesa

Pinyon Mesa is an isolated hunk of highlands just south of Grand Junction, reached by driving through the Colorado National Monument. The lower portions around Glade Park are covered in sage flats; look for Sage Thrasher, Brewer’s Sparrow, Swainson’s Hawk, and Western Scrub-Jay. Some of the areas right around Glade Park are private property, so be careful where you go off road. Higher up the road progresses through pinyon-juniper, aspen, and mixed conifer woodland, and is the best place near the city to find highland species like Red-naped Sapsucker, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Steller’s Jay, Merriam’s Turkeys and nightbirds like Flammulated and Northern Saw-whet Owls. Look (and listen) for Flammulated especially in areas with a mix of conifers and aspens; a classic location is at the Mud Springs campground.  There is wildlife in the area, mule deer, elk and black bears. 

County: Mesa

Directions:

Dates of Access: Open year round
Hours: 24 hours
Ownership: Private/BLM/US Forest Service
Admission: Free

Restrictions: Respect private property

Parking: Roadside and gravel parking areas
Lodging: Dispersed camping on public lands but be bear aware! Camping fee at Mud Springs.

Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Some car birding

Latitude: 38.8638
Longitude: -108.769