Greater Prairie-Chicken areas
The sandsage prairie just north of Wray contains the vast majority of Colorado’s Greater Prairie-Chickens. The only reliable lek locations at this time are located on private lands. Several groups and ranches operate tours to see the chickens on their leks in spring, and this is by far your best shot at seeing the birds; see the website for details. If you are are really strapped for time, you can look for the birds along the county roads north of Wray and east of US 385 just after dawn in April and May. The chickens are easy to hear from the road but often difficult to see – most of the leks are on the far side of the numerous hills! No matter how close the birds sound, DO NOT LEAVE THE ROADS.
Restrictions: Private property; remain on the road
County: Yuma
Directions: To get to the densest concentration of leks, drive north on US 385 from Wray about eleven miles and turn right (east) onto CR 45. This road winds around, eventually looping south to become CR PP, which goes all the way south to US 34 east of Wray. Chickens could be seen all along this route, though the northern half is better. Other leks might be seen along the adjacent stretch of CR RR and along roads KK and 42, south of CR 45.
Alternate Directions: To get to the densest concentration of leks, drive north on US 385 from Wray about eleven miles and turn right (east) onto CR 45. This road winds around, eventually looping south to become CR PP, which goes all the way south to US 34 east of Wray. Chickens could be seen all along this route, though the northern half is better. Other leks might be seen along the adjacent stretch of CR RR and along roads KK and 42, south of CR 45.
Habitat: Grassland/Prairie, Yucca
Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours:
Ownership: Private
Admission or Fees: Free
Parking: Roadside
Lodging: Hotel in Wray
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Viewing from car
Delorme: 102 D2
ROC: 62 C1-C2, 63 D1-D2
Latitude: 40.18746
Longitude: -102.18996
Contact Information
For more information, contact the Wray Chamber of Commerce at 970-332-3484.