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Watchable Wildlife
Just a short drive from Glenwood Springs you can find places that have been set aside specifically for wildlife. The pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, montane shrub, and riparian environments support species from amphibians to large mammals. Elk , mule deer, rocky mountain bighorn sheep, coyote, rabbits, mink and muskrat all thrive here.Viewing tips and ethics
Slow down, take your time and enjoy wildlife. To protect your pet and wildlife, pets should be on leashes. Use binoculars, spotting scopes, or telephoto lenses to view animals from a distance. If an animal’s behavior changes by your presence, you are too close and should back away slowly. View wildlife during dawn & dusk when animals are most active. While some wildlife may seem tame and approachable, it is important to remember they are wild animals and should only be viewed from a distance. Never feed wildlife. It is illegal in Colorado and it risks your safety and the animals' future.Elk & Mule Deer
Elk and Mule Deer can be seen around Glenwood Springs in all seasons. Mule deer will be an easy species to see while just driving to different locations in the valley. The best chance to see mule deer is at dawn or dusk while they are feeding in fields and at the edges of forest. The best and easiest time to see elk is during the fall and winter when they are in large groups along the Roaring Fork or Colorado River valley floor. Please note, however, that winter is the toughest time for these animals. Don't approach them or take any action that will cause them undue stress.
Black Bear
Welcome to bear country! Colorado is home to the black bear. The black bear has all it needs for survival here in the montane forest around Glenwood Springs. Black bear especially enjoy the well-developed stand of oakbrush and berry-producing shrubs such as serviceberry and chokecherry that the Fork Valley provides. Although bears typically flee from humans, black bears can be powerful and dangerous. Whether you're camping or living in black bear country, check with the Colorado Division of Wildlife about ways to make sure you are Bear Aware.Bird Watching
Birds can be found throughout the town and the surrounding areas. Within town you might see the more common raven and magpies. If you go hiking at higher locations, like Hanging Lake, you might be able to see Clark’s Nutcracker, gray jays, tree and violet-green swallows, chickadees or Steller’s jay. In riparian areas you might find Red-winged blackbirds, mallards, gadwall, American coot, belted kingfisher, great horned owls, western screech owls and woodpeckers. And be on the lookout for birds of prey. This group of highly skilled aerial hunters includes eagles, falcons, hawks, vultures, and owls. Pick up a bird guide at an area bookstore and discover just how many different species of birds call Glenwood Springs home.Bighorn Sheep
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep have been designated as Colorado’s state mammal. These spectacular animals are typically found in steep, high mountain terrain. They prefer habitat dominated by grass, low shrubs with rock cover and open terrain which provides escape from predators (bears, mountain lions and coyotes). Most days, Bighorn sheep can be seen above the bike path throughout Glenwood Canyon, from the overlook at Glenwood Caverns and on the road to Ruedi Reservoir from the town of Basalt. To increase your chances of spotting a bighorn sheep, scour the slopes for their white rumps during the early morning and late afternoon, when they are most active.
