Monte Vista Walking Trail

If you and Fido enjoy seeing some unique birds and vegetation, the Monte Vista Walking Trail is the place to be. Despite its short length, the path is jampacked with over a dozen species of wildlife and plants, along an asphalt path of 67 inches that surrounds one of the area's main habitats.

The trail resides in the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, a bird sanctuary with different displays and trails with over 15,000 acres. The Monte Vista Walking Trail is just inside the main entrance of the preserve and offers a small trailhead with a kiosk full of information. With only half a mile of space, the trail loops around a pond and some wetland area and connects back to the main road, where people can walk on the get back to their cars, or backtrack along the trail to get back to.

Although the scenery is nice and the trails are easy and flat for walking, bird-watching is the main activity for visitors. A number of different waterfowl live in the area, including mallards, egrets, Canadian geese, American avocets, killdeer, white-faced ibis, and herons. Not only that, but the preserve offers grounds for nearly 21,000 Sandhill cranes that migrate here. The best time to see these birds is during the morning or early afternoon hours. Although there is still plenty to see later in the day, not as much activity goes on then.

There are no amenities on the trail, so you will need to bring water and clean-up bags for your dog. Benches on the trail allow a space to sit and relax while enjoying the views. The trail can get popular, thanks to the income of normal visitors and school field trips to see the natural wonders of the area.

With people around or not, you and Fido will have plenty to view along with your walk, which will provide a short but enjoyable time outside.