Monte Vista NWR

Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is an intensively managed 14,800 acre refuge established in 1953

to create and maintain habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado.

In the years immediately following establishment of the refuge, the Rocky Mountain population of Greater Sandhill Cranes was expanding

and the refuge became an important stopover for these birds during their spring and fall migration.

Today the refuge plays host to 20,000 cranes twice each year.

It is also important to a wide variety of ducks, geese, shorebirds, raptors and songbirds.

The refuge may be experienced along a four mile auto tour route, from pull-outs with benches and scopes along Highway 15, and from a one half mile walking trail provided by the Friends of the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuges.

Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge

Please wait while slide show loads.