Where are the best places to see wildlife?

The diversity of terrain coupled with large elevation changes along the byway creates opportunities to observe many different plant and wildlife species adapted to specific elevation zones. At the lowest elevations near Florence and Cañon City, look for scaled quail, western meadowlarks, and mountain bluebirds in semi-arid grasslands, while prairie dog colonies often house the secretive burrowing owl. The rugged rocky canyons supporting piñon pine and juniper woodlands provide prime habitat for mule deer, and although you are not likely to see a mountain lion, you may see a roadrunner, relatively rare this far north.

At higher elevations along Shelf and Phantom Canyon Roads, look for golden eagles, prairie falcons, and red-tailed hawks riding air currents above rugged cliffs that are also home to Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. In the high country surrounding Cripple Creek and Victor, elk, black bears, and marmots inhabit subalpine forests, along with the broadtail hummingbird, blue grouse, and evening grosbeak. Look for "green ribbons" of cottonwood, willow, shrubs, and grasses bordering streams, as these riparian areas provide valuable combinations of food, water, and shelter where nearly 75% of wildlife depend to some degree on these critical ecosystems.