Visit a Colorado State Natural Area
Explore 15 of Colorado's natural treasures
The Colorado Natural Areas Program (CNAP) identifies, designates, and supports the protection of Colorado's most rare and unique natural features through a statewide system of natural areas. A state natural area can be designated for:
- Rare plants
- Notable wildlife and insect species
- Important geologic and fossil sites
- Representative and unique natural communities
View looking out over the San Luis Valley from within the Zapata Falls Natural Area
CNAP partners with a variety of landowners to designate state natural areas. State natural areas receive extra monitoring and support from CNAP but remain under the management of the landowner. Landownership of state natural areas includes federal, state, local government, non-profits, and private landowners. Public access and recreation opportunities are at the discretion of each individual landowner.
US Forest Service Wilderness Sign at Wheeler Geologic Natural Area
The 15 sites highlighted in the map and tour below represent a collection of stunning state natural areas that you can visit. These state natural areas either have public access and/or guided tours are offered. Many of these sites include trails, restrooms, and interpretive signs. We hope you are inspired to explore and learn more about Colorado's outstanding natural treasures.
Please follow all rules and regulations stated by the landowner. Be sure to read the state natural area flyer and review the landowner's website (if applicable) before visiting.
Map showing 15 highlighted state natural areas that can be visited by the public. Click on the icon to learn more about the state natural area.
Claret cup cactus in bloom at Rabbit Valley
From the desert shrublands of western Colorado to the high mountain tundra of Mount Evans, there's a state natural area that is sure to delight and interest everyone.
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1
Aiken Canyon Natural Area
Aiken Canyon is a bird-watcher's paradise, where over 100 bird species can be seen among the dramatic red spires and outcrops. This preserve lies in the foothills zone where the intermixing of habitat types will enchant and surprise the naturalist in everyone.
For more information about visiting this site, please see the flyer on visiting the Aiken Canyon Natural Area and visit The Nature Conservancy's website.
2
City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks Natural Areas
The red rock of the Boulder flatirons paints a stunning backdrop to three of the state natural areas within the Boulder area. Visitors can experience tallgrass prairie, lush streamside habitat, shrubby foothills and serene conifer forests all within a narrow geographic area.
For more information about visiting this site, please see the flyer on visiting the City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Park's (OSMP) Natural Areas and visit the City of Boulder OSMP website.
Second photo: Owen Allen
3
Castlewood Canyon Natural Area
Cherry Creek rushes along through the cobbled canyon walls, passing through a wide range of plant communities- forests, shrublands, wetlands, and prairie. This crossroads between the plains and the foothills is home to over 100 species of birds and dozens of other wildlife species including bats, porcupine, red fox, mule deer, and more.
For more information about visiting this site, please see the flyer on visiting the Castlewood Canyon Natural Area and visit the Castlewood Canyon State Park website .
Second Photo: Dustin Doskocil
4
Dakota Hogback Natural Area
Tucked along the foothills just outside of Denver is a spectacular exposure of dinosaur tracks from the Cretaceous period. These distinct imprints transport visitors back in time to a world where large, long-necked dinosaurs roamed across beaches bordered by vast oceans and swampy forests.
For more information about visiting this site, please see the flyer on visiting the Dakota Hogback Natural Area and visit the website for Dinosaur Ridge .
5
Fruita Paleontological Locality
An abundance of unique Jurassic-era fossils lay hidden just out of sight within the endless sea of arid desert shrub. This site has produced prehistoric fossils from an array of life including extinct crocodilians and ancient chipmunk-sized mammals.
For more information about visiting this site, please see the flyer on visiting the Fruita Paleontologic Locality Natural Area and visit the Bureau of Land Management's website.
6
Garden Park Fossil Locality Natural Area
Some of the most important dinosaur fossil quarries in the United States lie tucked within the arid shrublands and woodlands north of Canon City. These quarries were picked over by the legends of paleontology and continue to inspire budding paleontologists.
For more information about visiting this site, please see the flyer on visiting the Garden Park Fossil Locality Natural Area and visit the Bureau of Land Management's website.
7
Indian Springs Trace Fossil Natural Area
Way back when, before the dinosaurs, coastal tidal flats teemed with small, prehistoric life forms. Ancient horseshoe crabs crawled along the sand, and carnivorous sea scorpions hunted for prey. The traces of this 450 million year old estuary are stunningly preserved for visitors to see at this state natural area.
For more information about visiting this site, please see the flyer on visiting the Indian Springs Trace Fossil Natural Area or visit the website for the Indian Springs Ranch Campground .
8
Mount Goliath Natural Area
Explore the ancient grove of bristlecone pines sitting below the towering scene of Mount Evans. These gnarled trees have survived 1,600 years of the drying winds and harsh conditions found at 11,540 feet. Vibrant alpine wildflowers greet visitors along the trail.
For more information about visiting this site, please see the flyer on visiting the Mount Goliath Natural Area or visit the US Forest Service's website .
9
Orient Mine Natural Area
Experience the breathtaking spectacle of hundreds of thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats exiting this old iron mine for their nightly feeding. As the sun sets, the first few bats begin to emerge, quickly increasing in numbers until the bats resemble a long, trailing plume of smoke.
For more information about visiting this site, please see the flyer on visiting the Orient Mine Natural Area or visit the website for the Orient Land Trust .
10
Rabbit Valley Natural Area
The landscape may seem vast and empty, but this site was once teeming with lush prehistoric forests and awe-inspiring creatures. Rabbit Valley contains fossil quarries from the late Jurassic period of immense scientific importance. The next big discovery may still be hidden in plain sight...
For more information about visiting this site, please see the flyer on visiting the Rabbit Valley Natural Area and visit the Bureau of Land Management's website .
11
Roxborough Natural Area
Just south of Denver, dramatic tilted sandstone formations are magnificently displayed at Roxborough State Park. These hulking red figures are interspersed within a mosaic of diverse plant communities that provide habitat for a multitude of mammals, birds, butterflies, and more.
For more information about visiting this site, please see the flyer on visiting the Roxborough Natural Area and visit the Roxborough State Park's website.
Photos: Michael Levine-Clark , Ken Papaleo/High Country Coloring
12
Slumgullion Earthflow Natural Area
Have you ever seen a landslide in action? Visitors can view an active landslide (aka earthflow) near Lake City, CO. This enormous river of earth is moving slowly, at a rate of 20 feet per year. As the earth oozes down towards Lake San Cristobal, it churns up the hillside, dragging trees down with it.
For more information about visiting this site, please see the flyer on visiting the Slumgullion Earthflow Natural Area .
13
Trinidad K-T Boundary Natural Area
Tucked away in Trinidad Lake State Park lies the remnants of an asteroid impact that may have contributed to the extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Visitors can view the thin white layer of rocks (dubbed the "K-Pg boundary") that delineates the end of the Cretaceous period and preludes the rise of mammals.
For more information about visiting this site, please see the flyer on visiting the Trinidad K-T Boundary Natural Area and visit the website for the Trinidad Lake State Park website .
Second photo: Chris Stark
14
Wheeler Geologic Natural Area
A strenuous hike into the backcountry of the San Juan Mountains will reward the intrepid hiker with breathtaking views of the Wheeler Geologic Natural Area. Prehistoric volcanic ash cemented into multi-colored pinnacles stands in stark contrast to the high-elevation forests surrounding the site.
For more information about visiting this site, please see the flyer on visiting the Wheeler Geologic Natural Area and visit the US Forest Service's website.
15
Zapata Falls Natural Area
Wade through the cool waters of Zapata Creek and cross slippery rocks to experience the roar and mist of Zapata Falls up close and personal. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the rare black swift, a peculiar bird that makes its home behind the spray of waterfalls.
For more information about visiting this site, please see the flyer on visiting the Zapata Falls Natural Area.
