Montrose
The largest town in this part of Colorado, Montrose is a great place to base yourself for a naturalist expedition to the Gunnison Basin, the northern San Juans, or the Grand Mesa or Uncompahgre Mesa. Right in town, the best birding is along the bike trail that follows the river, which winds through some nice riparian deciduous forest that can have numerous migrant birds in spring and fall and breeding species like Black-headed Grosbeak in summer.
Restrictions: None
County: Montrose
Directions: Montrose is along US 50 between Grand Junction and Gunnison. To get to the north end of the river trail, from US 550 (S Townsend Ave) in Montrose, head west three blocks on East Oak Grove Road and turn right (north) onto S Rio Grande Ave. Turn left onto Apollo Drive and follow it to the parking lot at the end.
Alternate Directions: Montrose is along US50, 64 miles west of Gunnison and 22 miles south of Delta.
Habitat: Urban/Suburban, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Lowland Riparian, Stream
Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours: Any
Ownership: Municipal/private
Admission or Fees: Free
Parking: Paved parking lots
Lodging: Hotels in town
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Part of river trail is paved, part gravel
Delorme: 66 A2-A3
ROC: 98 C3
Latitude: 38.467585
Longitude: -107.877181