Southeast Colorado Wildlife Weekend Express: Fall Migration & Tarantulas
Trip Overview
Southeastern Colorado offer visitors unique historical, cultural, and natural wonders. A region of far-ranging contrasts with a rich heritage, this is one of the least changed areas of the state. Much of the terrain looks as it did centuries ago and wildlife are plentiful here, especially in September. This trip is timed to maximize opportunities to observe a diversity of Southern Great Plains icons including bison, burrowing owls, black-tailed prairie dogs, swift fox, coyote, and pronghorn, as well as the famed “tarantula migration.”
We have special permission to explore Audubon Certified bird-friendly ranches and Southern Plains Land Trust, in addition to other legendary wildlife hotspots. Our ranch visits will highlight how two fifth generation family-owned ranches near Kit Carson are implementing regenerative grazing techniques to work with nature to maintain wildlife habitat. These innovative ranching techniques are helping sustain Great Plains biodiversity.
Southern Plains Land Trust, founded in 1998, creates and protects a network of shortgrass prairie preserves, ensuring a future for grassland flora and fauna. By visiting the preserves at Southern Plains Land Trust, you can witness first-hand the impact of conservation efforts aimed at protecting this endangered habitat, which supports a variety of wildlife including bison, prairie dogs, coyotes, beavers, badgers, tarantulas, and numerous bird species.
We have strategically selected areas away from crowds, so we have the time and space to enjoy these wildlife spectacles in true Reefs to Rockies style. We’ll travel along scenic and historic byways in a custom American safari van with a conversion pop-top and spacious seating. It’s not the traditional passenger van you may have traveled in on past trips. This one-of-a-kind vehicle has been specially designed by two wildlife biologists to allow for optimal viewing. It makes a perfect ‘blind’ and there’s ample room for everyone to view at the same time.
Join Reefs to Rockies for this unforgettable weekend getaway highlighting what makes Southeast Colorado so special. You won’t be disappointed!
Itinerary
Day 1 | Audubon Certified Bird-friendly Ranches
Morning departure from Denver. Within a few hours of leaving Denver, we’ll arrive to Flying Diamond, a fifth-generation family-owned Audubon Certified bird-friendly ranch that’s been running cattle and caring for arid grassland and riparian habitat in Kit Carson since 1907. After a birding and nature walk at Flying Diamond, we’ll enjoy lunch in Kit Carson. This afternoon, we’ll visit Collins Ranch, another fifth-generation family-owned Audubon Certified bird-friendly ranch nearby to hear about their ranching philosophy and holistic conservation initiatives. Even though these two ranches are close to one another, they each offer unique landscapes and wildlife habitat. There are sure to be Great Plains surprises as we explore these stunning seas of grass. Evening arrival to Lamar for our overnight stay.
Accommodations: Historic Cow Palace Inn
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2 | Southern Plains Land Trust (SPLT)
The mission of SPLT is to purchase and preserve land in Southeast Colorado for prairie wildlife. To date, more than 60,000 acres have been protected providing refuge for an array of grassland flora and fauna. Piece by piece, SPLT is restoring the American Serengeti. We’ll see the impacts of SPLT’s efforts firsthand today as we explore their prairie preserve. We’ll also learn from SPLT’s directors about current and future conservation initiatives including reintroduction of black-footed ferrets, one of North America’s most endangered mammals, stream restoration for beavers, fence removal to allow for free-ranging animals including bison, pronghorn, and elk.
Oklahoma brown tarantulas are a common species in undisturbed grasslands of southeast Colorado. Every fall, adult males set out in large numbers in search of female tarantulas who stay close to their burrows for their entire lives. Males use their senses of touch and vibration to locate females. Often incorrectly referred to as a migration, this walkabout of males across the southern plains is a remarkable wildlife spectacle.
During our late afternoon wildlife drive, we’ll search for tarantulas on the move. We’ll stay until after dark for a nocturnal experience at SPLT. Once prairie dogs go to sleep, other animals including badgers, swift foxes, and coyotes become more active. Today will be a wildlife experience to remember.
Accommodations: Historic Cow Palace Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3 | May Ranch & Return to Denver
Our final morning together will include a special visit to May Ranch, where intentional management for wildlife supports abundant grassland mammals and birds. Wander prairie edges and open fields where prairie dogs herald the presence of burrowing owls, horned larks, lark buntings, and western meadowlarks. Raptors such as Swainson’s and ferruginous hawks cruise overhead. After lunch, we’ll return to Denver, wrapping up our fall prairie adventure.
Accommodations: Historic Cow Palace Inn
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
About Your Expedition Leader
Sheridan Samano, Co-Founder of Reefs to Rockies, is thrilled to lead this three-day safari to southeastern Colorado. This trip is timed to place you in prairie wildlife hotspots during the peak of September activity. Throughout the journey, Sheridan will share her extensive field experience, deep knowledge, and passion for wildlife and habitats, while guiding you through scenic landscapes and highlighting collaborations that advance our mission of conservation-based, sustainable tourism.
Details
Price: $1950* per person based on two people sharing double occupancy accommodations. Add $115** if you prefer private, single occupancy accommodations.
Inclusions: double occupancy accommodations, Expedition Leader (Sheridan Samano), transportation in custom 4WD safari van from Denver meeting point, daily guided wildlife viewing with spotting scope available, special access fees, and all meals starting with lunch on Day 1 through Lunch on Day 3. Conservation donations to Audubon Rockies and Southern Plains Land Trust will be made on behalf of all participants.
Exclusions: transportation to/from the meeting point in Denver, activities not listed, travel insurance, gratuities, and personal expenses.
*Price is for payment by ACH or check. Credit card fees, if applicable, will be assessed at time of payment.
**If you are a solo traveler who prefers to share a double occupancy room, but no suitable roommate is available, the private room surcharge will apply.
Group Size: Min 5; Max 7 participants + guide. This trip starts and ends in Denver, Colorado.
Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. Ability to climb up and down from a passenger van that is lifted for 4WD (stool provided) is required. This trip involves multiple short daily walks on varied terrain with most walks between 1.5–2.5 miles in length and a total distance of up to 3–5 miles on a given day.
Conservation Impact
This trip directly supports the long-term protection of North America’s grasslands. On behalf of all participants, a donation will be made to both Southern Plains Land Trust and Audubon Rockies, helping advance complementary conservation efforts across the region. Founded in 1998, Southern Plains Land Trust creates and protects a network of shortgrass prairie preserves that secure a future for native prairie wildlife through land acquisition, restoration, and stewardship.
Audubon Rockies works to conserve and restore vital grassland and bird habitats, supporting science-based conservation measures that benefit birds, wildlife, and working landscapes alike. Together, these organizations ensure that the landscapes we explore, and the wildlife that depends on them, continue to thrive.
