Medano-Zapata Ranch,
a Nature Conservancy preserve

Higley may have secretly had the San Luis Valley in mind when he wrote the now-classic American West favorite “Home on the Range”, for few other places can boast closely co-existing herds of deer, antelope, bison and elk like the 100,000-acre Medano-Zapata Ranch, the largest Nature Conservancy preserve in the state of Colorado.

Visitors to the Nature Conservancy's Medano-Zapata Ranch are captivated by views in all directions, from snow-capped peaks towering over golden cottonwood groves to the east, the dune fields of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve to the north, and sprawling, sunlit valleys to the south and west. Even the wildlife know a good thing when they see it: herds of deer, elk, antelope and bison roam the ranch alongside coyotes, rabbits, golden eagles, numerous raptors and, occasionally, even black bears and mountain lions.

Medano-Zapata Ranch is also home to a historic, working cattle ranch, a prehistoric Native American camp and several rare species of plants and insects. Naturalist workshops and scientific retreats are offered at ranch facilities.

Visit the official San Luis Valley - Medano-Zapata Ranch website for additional information including visiting the the ranch and volunterring.