Best Place to See Wildlife in Fort Collins – Todd’s Top Six
There are so many great reasons to live in Fort Collins. Right at the top is how close we are to nature and wildlife. Almost any animal that is native to Colorado, and many that are not, can be found right in Fort Collins. So where do you go to see all the wildlife? I have narrowed down my list to my top six.
Coyote Ridge Natural Area is on Taft Avenue about one mile south of the Larimer County Landfill. Visitors often see mule deer and coyotes. I have seen both there. Mountain lions, bears and rattlesnakes have even been spotted at Coyote Ridge. It's also home to many songbirds, lizards, rabbits, deer mice, and foxes.
Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area is designated an “Important Bird Area” by the National Audubon Society. It provides habitat to bald eagles and other types of raptors, and many species of shorebirds, songbirds, and waterfowl. You may also see coyotes, deer, and prairie dogs. It can be found on Carpenter Road or Highway 392 between I-25 and College Avenue.
Approximately 80 wildlife species are found at Red Fox Meadows, which you can find on Taft Avenue, just south of Prospect Road. When I pulled into the parking lot recently to take a few pictures, I was met by a family of five deer, including the doe in the picture above. Obviously many red foxes live in natural area. I have seen dozens myself. Believe it or not, a bear and a mountain lion have both passed through the area as well. It's also a great place for bird watchers.
The Poudre Trail meanders along the Poudre River for 10.10 miles. It currently runs between the Overland Trail at Lyons Park and the Environmental Learning Center on East Drake. The most common mammals that live along the Poudre River are squirrels, rabbits, skunks, mice, opossums, raccoons, porcupines, prairie dogs, voles, foxes, bats, coyotes and deer. The moose in the picture at the top of the page was spotted just off the Poudre Trail in Northwest Fort Collins.
Birders enjoy Riverbend Ponds. over 200 species of birds feed, rest, nest, and migrate through including green herons,a wide variety of ducks, American white pelicans, double-crested cormorants, Osprey and others. You will also find all the mammals that live along the Poudre River well represented at the ponds, including deer, foxes, and coyotes.
Horsetooth Mountain Open Space is 2,711 acres located on the west side of Horsetooth Reservoir. It's about 4 miles west of Fort Collins, but I will always consider Horsetooth a vital part of the city. You will encounter deer, fox, coyote, skunk, bobcat, mountain lion, and bears and event the occasional rattlesnake. In my opinion, it is the best place in Fort Collins to see wildlife.
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