South Republican State Wildlife Area
Aliases: Hale Ponds State Wildlife Area, South Republican SWA, South Republican Wildlife Easement
This location covers most of the area below the dam at Bonny. There is more wildlife here than at many other plains reservoirs and river bottoms; few visitors to the reservoir head east below the dam, to the State Wildlife Area that runs along the river all the way to the Kansas state line. Habitat varies from yucca grassland and large hedgerows to lowland riparian. The hedgerow at Hale is enormous, and a good spot for Northern Cardinals, sparrows during the winter, owls, and migrants. The Hale Ponds SWA is excellent for Eastern Screech-Owl, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite and migrants, not to mention white-tailed deer. The grassland between the dam at Bonny and the above locations can have Cassin’s and Grasshopper Sparrows, among others.
Restrictions: Obey all CPW rules and regulations; be aware of hunters in season. Please respect private property
County: Kit Carson
Directions: Bonny Dam (fee area) is just east of US 385 about 22 miles north of Burlington. Two entrance roads head east from US 385, one just south of the Republican River and the other just north. The northern access road (CR 3) heads east from US 385 to Foster Grove Campground, then winds a long distance around the north side of the reservoir to the dam road just north of the dam. The southern road (CR 2) heads straight east for a little over a mile before turning south to cross Landsman Creek. Where CR 2 bends south, an old access road, now blocked off, heads east to one of the best marshes --you can't drive to it but it's an easy walk. Following CR 2 south across the creek and back to the east, you will see the unmarked dirt access road to the southwest part of the reservoir heading off to the left. Past this is the Wagon Wheel Campground and subsequently the south end of the dam. At the south end of Bonny dam CR 2 winds down below the dam to the CPW headquarters and from there east to a T intersection with the north-south CR LL.5. Directly ahead of you, to the east of this intersection, are the Hale hedgerows. To check the other spots, turn left (north). In a short distance, CR 4 heads east; this is the access road for the South Republican SWA, which stretches along the road and the river for several miles, and for Hale Ponds SWA, which is on the left a few miles farther east, just shy of the Kansas border. Much of the wooded area along CR 4 is open to birders; obey posted access signs. Finally, to get to the South Republican Wildlife Easement (Sprague's Pipit spot), continue north on LL.5 from Hale across the S. Fork Republican River and take the first left into the property.'
Habitat: Lake/Pond/Reservoir, Lowland Riparian, Marsh, Hedgerow/Shelterbelt, Grassland/Prairie, Yucca
Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours: 24 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: Various
Lodging: Camping in designated areas. Hotel in Burlington or Idalia
Disabled: No
Disabled Access: Limited
Delorme: 102 B4
ROC: 79 D2
Latitude: 39.61019
Longitude: -102.18551
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