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, 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.

County: Mesa

Directions:

Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours: Any
Ownership: Private/BLM/US Forest Service
Admission: Free

Restrictions: Respect private property

Parking: Roadside and gravel parking areas
Lodging: Camping areas

Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Some car birding

Latitude: 38.8638
Longitude: -108.769