The Binocular Site
Colorado National Monument, Colorado
Colorado National Monument is located in the western part of the state near the city of Grand Junction, high on the Colorado Plateau. It is a haven for plant and wildlife covering 32 square miles. Approximately 500,000 people visit The Monument each year to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.
Campers can take advantage of the 80 campsites that are open year round. There are plenty of hiking opportunities, and because The Monument is on a plateau, even bicycle riding is feasible and fun. Local groups also offer plant and wildlife identification walks, geology lectures, and even stargazing into the clear, Colorado sky.
The pinyon pines and juniper trees that grace The Monument are home to at least 63 species of bird, and make ideal rest stops for the many other species that migrate through annually. Some of the more common species that are easy to spot are the raven, quail, turkey vulture, and Say's phoebe. The Monument was designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society and the American Bird Conservatory in 2000.
The Colorado National Monument is currently working to improve its services as part of the Centennial Initiative, in celebration and recognition of the National Park Service's 100th anniversary in 2016. See the Colorado National Monument website for more information.
The Colorado state bird is the Lark Bunting and you can find a checklist of birds to watch for in Colorado here.
Photo credit to margolove, used with permission under the creative commons license.
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