Eastern PlainsHutch2021-04-22T11:52:29-06:00
Eastern Plains
The Trails
Explore Wild Colorado!
The Colorado Birding Trail links outdoor recreation sites, both public and private, into a network through a designated driving route. There are 20 trails on the Eastern Plains containing a variety of sites where you can view watchable wildlife. Some trails include hiking or walking paths where you can observe different wildlife and scenery. Start your adventure today and explore wild Colorado!
UPDATE: A valid hunting or fishing license is required for everyone 18 or older accessing any state wildlife area. Beginning May 1, 2021, a valid hunting or fishing license OR SWA pass is required for everyone 16 or older accessing any state wildlife area.
Please note: As of April 2021, We have a group of dedicated volunteers currently updating the sites listed on the Colorado Birding Trail. Some private lands or bird tours may no longer exist or be open to the public, so be sure to check on the site/event before heading out.
Waterfowl TrailThis trail encompasses the parks and waterways of northeast urban Denver, plus a large swath of the adjacent plains, stringing together the finest spots to enjoy nature right in the shadow of the city.
» Hit the Trail St. Vrain TrailThe towns of Longmont and Lyons, along the St. Vrain River north of Boulder, support an amazingly high density of places to watch birds and other wildlife.
» Hit the Trail Sandsage TrailThe northeast corner of Colorado sits atop a special ecosystem, a mix of desert and prairie known as sandsage, home to tallgrass species with a little southwestern spice.
» Hit the Trail Red Rocks TrailThe west side of urban Denver runs smack into an area of hogback ridges, huge red sandstone rock formations, and semiarid shrublands. Thanks to a spectacular system of parks, huge tracts of beautiful habitat have been preserved for posterity, only minutes from the city.
» Hit the Trail Pronghorn TrailThe Arkansas River Valley is so thickly packed with top-notch places to view wildlife that it sometimes boggles the traveler's mind.
» Hit the Trail Prairie Oases TrailThanks to a chain of large lakes that attract birds by the tens of thousands in migration and winter, this has long been one of the most popular wildlife watching routes in Colorado.
» Hit the Trail Plover TrailThe "Trail that Has It All", visitors can see a plethora of plovers, visit the Old Santa Fe Trail, or visit some of the areas large reservoirs.
» Hit the Trail Playa TrailNamed for the shallow prairie lakes that appear and disappear with the unpredictable rains, the Playa Trail showcases ephemeral beauties.
» Hit the Trail Pawnee TrailThis lush prairie is home to seasonal wetlands, dramatic buttes, and some of the most famous migrant traps in Colorado. It is rightly one of the most popular wildlife watching destinations in the state.
» Hit the Trail Mile High TrailDenver, the Mile High City, is famous as the gateway to the Rocky Mountains and as the capital city of Colorado. It also has an excellent system of parks and natural areas that make it possible to find nature right in town.
