Piceance State Wildlife Area
This spread-out SWA has a number of units, but the Little Hills Experiment Station is probably the most worth visiting. Among the cliffs and pinyon-juniper forest you can usually find White-throated Swift, Lazuli Bunting, and Rock and Canyon Wrens, and in the marshy riparian areas look for Yellow-headed and Red-winged Blackbirds, sparrows, and sometimes a few shorebirds at the ponds. Note that, inexplicably, Piceance is pronounced ‘PEE-aunts.’
Restrictions: None
County: Rio Blanco
Directions: and turn left. Go 7.3 miles to CR 22 and turn left. Go about 4 miles to the wildlife area. To get to the Little Hills Experiment Station from Meeker, head west on CO 64 for 18.6 miles to CR 5. Turn south on CR 5 (Piceance Creek Rd) just west of Rio Blanco Lake. Go south about seven miles on CR 5, then turn left on CR 22 (Dry Fork Creek Rd). Follow signs to the Experimental Station.
Alternate Directions: From Meeker, head west on CO 64 for 18.6 miles to CR 5 and turn left. Go 7.3 miles to CR 22 and turn left. Go about 4 miles to the wildlife area.
Dates of Access: Open all year, daylight hours
Hours: Daylight hours
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Admission or Fees: A valid hunting or fishing license, or State Wildlife Area pass is required for everyone 16 or older accessing any state wildlife area or state trust lands.
Parking: Gravel parking areas
Lodging: Camping
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Some car birding
Latitude: 40.00633
Longitude: -108.19003
Contact Information
Area CPW Office: Meeker, (970) 878-6090