Hundreds of Tarantulas Will Swarm Southeast Colorado This Fall

Brace for Tarantula Season in Southeast Colorado

If you happen to have a fear of spiders, like my wife does, you might want to steer clear of southeast Colorado in the next few weeks. Soon, there will be hundreds of large spiders roaming freely, looking for a mate.

Many find it surprising that Colorado is home to the large spider species known as the tarantula. Each fall, large male spiders scour over 443,000 acres of the Comanche Grassland, looking for a mate.

Where and How Long to Spot These Furry Friends

The brown tarantula is most commonly found near the Colorado town of La Junta. However, there are numerous species of arachnids in the state of Colorado. Female tarantulas create their burrows in the prairies of the Comanche Grasslands and tend to stick close to them for their entire lives, which is upwards of 25 years. I had no idea that spiders could live this long.

Get our free mobile app

READ MORE: Best Time to Spot Moose in Colorado’s Backcountry

If you want to see tarantulas in Colorado in person, the best thing to do is to head to southeast Colorado in mid-September through early-November. According to Visit La Junta, the timeframe for watching tarantulas migrate in search of a mate is dependent on the weather in the plains of the Comanche Grasslands.

Ideally, the perfect time is going to be in the month of September, right before sunset. The viewing times will be fleeting as peak viewing of these large eight-legged spiders only lasts about an hour.

READ MORE: Colorado Wolf Relocations Spark Rancher Concerns

Planning on visiting southeast Colorado to view tarantulas? You might want to take a trip during the La Junta Tarantula Fest. Not only will you get the chance to see a tarantula in the wild, but you will also be able to celebrate the large spider in Colorado during a festival.

Save the Date: La Junta Tarantula Fest

The La Junta Tarantula Fest will take place September 26 and 27, and will feature a parade, food vendors, shopping, and more. Find out more about the La Junta Tarantula Rest by visiting visitlajunta.net.