Winter Wildlife Viewing is an One of a Kind Experience

Winter in the Colorado Rocky Mountains is the stuff of legends. From the towering peaks and lush river valleys to our eternal blue skies and glistening open spaces, winter in Colorado is unsurpassed when it comes to your mountain experience. North Park stands as one of the best places to visit in Colorado, not only because of its scenery and easy access to wilderness, but also because of the abundance of wildlife in the area.

If you are looking for the best places to view wildlife in Colorado, North Park is a destination that cannot be overlooked. The low population of people, highways, and towns in the area make for great wildlife habitats. The highways and backroads of Jackson County allow for all day long adventures, spotting your favorite animals along the way. So fill up the tank, grab your camera, and start exploring!

A Change in the Seasons

As February fades into March the animals become more active in the mountains. The subzero temperatures that hold much of the season in an icy embrace begin to give way to longer days and more sunshine. Large game animals such as deer, pronghorn, and elk gather in the river bottoms and plains of Jackson County. They are drawn to easier to forage grasses and water sources. Most of what they eat during the summer months is buried under tens of feet of snow at higher elevations until May and even June.

The wind and warmer temperatures make a crusty snow that grazing animals break through with their hooves. The nutrient rich grass has been hibernating underneath since the first snows of the year fell. Hundreds of animals might gather together, creating enormous herds that migrate together in search of more to eat. You might get lucky and see one of these migrations across one of the highways, so always be sure to drive carefully and always be on the lookout for wildlife. (Fox photo courtesy of Helen Yoder).

Wildlife Viewing

North Park has such an abundance of wildlife to see. We are known for our herd animals such as elk, pronghorns, and two species of deer—white tail and mule deer—to more solitary grazers such as bighorn sheep, moose, and even mountain goats. Predators in North Park range from black bears (which might start waking up in late winter from hibernation) to mountain lions, badgers, martens, and even wolves.

If you are a bird watcher or are simply in awe of the large raptors that live in the Colorado mountains, we have endless blue skies to spot your favorites. Great horned owls, hawks, falcons, and ravens call North Park home all year long. In the winter, you might see a snowy owl hunting mice or snowshoe hares in an open field. Kestrels and other small raptors have been spotted as well, standing on fence posts on the lookout for prey. Bald eagles are a common sight throughout North Park as well as golden eagles and even turkey vultures.

Canada geese, several species of ducks, herons, and other waterfowl also call North Park home. A visit to the Arapaho National Wildlife Reserve will put you up close and personal with all sorts of birds. In the mountains, several species of jays call the pine and aspen forests home and begin to reappear towards the end of winter. Hummingbirds return to North Park at the end of Spring when flowers and other sources of nectar become available.

Wolves in North Park

Wolves have become a subject of controversy in the rural areas of Colorado. Eradicated in the 1940s during World War II, wolves have made a comeback in Colorado due to the expansion of packs from Yellowstone. The grey wolves that are being introduced to Colorado originate from British Columbia, and not only present livestock and wildlife with another apex predator, but also serious competition for coyotes, foxes, and the wolves that are already in North Park.

The subject of wolves is an important conversation that people are having in North Park, especially among ranchers and others who are concerned with their impact on the safety of their livestock and livelihood. As with traveling anywhere in the world, always be considerate and respectful of the perspective of other people. You might see signs in North Park that are very vocal about the opinion of locals. It’s better to visit anywhere you travel with questions and conversations, rather than arguments.

Regardless of your position on the wolf debate, you need to be aware that they are in North Park. Wolves, like any wildlife, are potentially dangerous. Never feed, bait, or antagonize wildlife. Yes, that includes trying to pet them. Never approach wildlife and give them plenty of space. Keep your pets safe by not allowing them to roam or be off the leash in areas where they might attract attention from predators, and never allow your pets to interact with wildlife.

Avalanche Danger

As intense as the idea of wolves might be in Colorado, the biggest threat to life and limb here is still the weather. The same conditions that create the crusty snow that draws deer and elk out of the high country are also the same as what creates the danger of avalanche. As temperatures rise and fall throughout the day, the top layers of snow form an icy layer of packed snow. Beneath the surface, especially on mountainsides and high elevations, the snow underneath is drier, made up of the accumulation of dry winter storms. Check the CPW website for information about trail conditions or closures.

In spite of all the snow you might see on our mountains, North Park is relatively dry. The little amount of precipitation we get during winter falls in the form of snow with a surprisingly low moisture count. This creates a softer layer underneath with much less structural support. When the packed snow at the surface breaks loose, it can cause a massive shift in the snow, with harder snow gliding and rolling along the looser packed snow underneath. All that snow is incredibly heavy and can plow over trees, rocks, and anything else in its path. 

Be On the Lookout

During the late winter and early spring months, snowshoers, skiers, and snowmobilers need to always be on the alert for avalanche conditions. Every year people adventuring in the outdoors lose their lives in avalanches. Even if you survive the force of an avalanche, you might be too disoriented or buried too deep to dig yourself out. The weight of an avalanche could mean you would succumb to constriction, trauma, or hypothermia. If you are in the path of an avalanche, rescuers might only have minutes to get you out.

Unlike higher traffic areas such as ski resorts and national parks, the untamed beauty of North Park also means that very rarely are avalanches triggered by humans for safety. CO HWY 14 which crosses over Cameron Pass into North Park from Larimer County is most often set off to prevent the road from being blocked during avalanches. That isn’t to say the road will always be clear. It is impossible to predict every avalanche, even if conditions don’t seem like one is likely, they have been known to happen. You never really know when an avalanche will occur until it does.

What Precautions Can I Take?

If you are adventuring in the backcountry of the Colorado mountains, there are a few things you need to do before you go.

• Never go alone: Always use the buddy system when you trek in the high country. Also, let someone know where you plan to go, how long you expect to stay there, and when/where you will be coming back.
• Come prepared: even a short hike can get serious in no time at all. Always dress appropriately, carry water, a first aid kit, emergency food,fire-making equipment, and have a plan in case something goes wrong. North Park is still very much wild and untamed and the backcountry is recommended only for experienced travelers to the outdoors.
• Carry an avalanche beacon: If you are going to be in the avalanche zone, a beacon is a must. This will reduce precious time in the event you need to be rescued. It can mean the difference between life and death.
• Avalanche kit: Some experienced outdoors enthusiasts carry avalanche kits, which include a variety of tools, from an expanding airbag and air supply to e-tools that will help you get out of the snow. 
• Go only if you know: Even the most experienced mountaineer or outdoorsman can fall prey to bad luck. An avalanche is just about the worst luck you can get. Ignoring the possibility of an avalanche is one way to find out the hard way what happens.

Your Wildlife Photography Destination

It’s almost impossible to take a bad picture in North Park. Our snow capped mountains and windswept prairies offer an incredible backdrop for just about any photo, all year long. Some of the best shots you can get can be taken from the side of the road. As you go deeper into the wilderness, you’ll discover even more.

The Rainbow Lakes trail system, Michigan ditch, Gould Loop, and Rabbit Ears trail systems (along with sections of the Continental Divide Trail) offer visitors access to some of the best spots for nature photography in Colorado. Check with the CPW website, or COTrex for detailed maps of these areas to plan your next adventure!

In March and April, North Park has even become a spot for the great Sandhill Cranes to stop over on their migration towards Grand Island, Nebraska. You can see these impressive animals in the fields and meadows near Walden. (Photo courtesy of Kathi Manville)

A Unique Opportunity for Wildlife Photography

Each year the North Park Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a trip of a lifetime. Jackson County is one of the best kept secrets of birding in the United States. The Greater Sage Grouse have called North Park home for thousands of years, giving intrepid photographers and bird enthusiasts a chance to visit a leck and experience the mating dance of the greater sage grouse.

With the expansion of populated areas and the destruction of much of the land the greater grouse used to inhabit, either from fires, development, or climate change, their territory is shrinking and their numbers are diminishing. The Chamber of Commerce is offering a guided tour of a few of these mating grounds of the greater sage grouse in April, 2025. 

An Unforgettable Experience Year Round

Traveling to North Park any time of year can be the experience of a lifetime. Not only will you find beautiful sights to see in winter, but also the other seasons of the year. You’ve already found the VisitNorthParkCO.com site. If you like what you’ve seen subscribe to our the Visit North Park Newsletter and follow us on social media on  Facebook or Instagram, for regular updates of events, stunning photos, and historical tidbits. Whether you are an aspiring photographer, outdoor adventurer, or simply looking for a social media detox, make North Park your favorite destination all year long. We will see you soon!