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Places We Protect

High Creek Fen Preserve

Colorado

A shallow meandering creek running through grassy fields with mountains in the far distance.
High Creek Fen High Creek runs through High Creek Fen in Colorado. © Harold E. Malde

A thriving wetland nestled in the Rocky Mountains.

Viewing

Overview

Description

Why You Should Visit

Situated at just under 10,000 feet, this fen is an astonishing vestige of the last Ice Age. The preserve is the most ecologically diverse, floristically rich fen known to exist in the Southern Rocky Mountains. Indeed, it contains more rare plant species than any other wetland known in Colorado.

Visit during mid-July to enjoy wildflowers in bloom: You can see Indian paintbrush, bluebell, day lily, pale blue-eyed grass and shrubby cinquefoil.

 

What is a fen?

A type of wet meadow or marshland fed primarily by groundwater that is constantly flowing to the surface. 

 

Why TNC Selected This Site 

In the late 1980s, Dr. David Cooper identified High Creek Fen as the best example of an extreme rich fen wetland in Colorado. (Only 2-3 other fens with this classification exist in the entire United States.) TNC is working to keep the fen intact and protect the extraordinary diversity of plants and animals that it supports.  

 

What TNC Has Done/Is Doing

Since 1991, TNC has worked to protect the areas in and around the fen. In the late 1990s, research indicated the need to protect not only the land, but also the water and watershed in the region. Today, TNC is working with partners and the local community to protect upwards of 15,000 acres in this area.

Access

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Highlights

Bird and wildflower watching, hiking, camping and other nature-based activities.

Explore our work in Colorado

When to Visit

Open year-round, dawn to dusk 

 

Camping

You can camp at the U.S. Forest Service's Buffalo Springs Campground, located 5 miles south of the preserve on U.S. Route 285. 

 

Please observe the following preserve rules during your visit:

  • No pets. Dogs and other pets are prohibited on the preserve to protect sensitive wildlife from disturbance.
  • Foot travel only. No bicycles, horseback riding, or off-road vehicles.
  • No alcohol, smoking or vaping.
  • No hunting, camping or campfires.
  • Taking off or landing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) is prohibited on the preserve.
  • Do not feed or disturb wildlife or damage or remove any plants, animals, wood, minerals or artifacts. Collecting of any kind is prohibited.

Please report to us any problems you observe (e.g. visitors with pets, camping, etc.).

Use of other power-driven mobility devices (OPDMDs) may only operate on the existing road to the parking area. OPDMDs must not be operated in dangerous or reckless manner. A person may be asked to leave the site if the OPDMD is being operated in an unsafe or disruptive manner. OPDMDs must yield to pedestrians. OPDMDs must be able to safely negotiate road features, including turning around, without going off the road.  

 

What to See: Plants

High Creek Fen supports two rare plant communities and 14 state-rare plant species, most of which are isolated populations that survived here after the glaciers receded.

State-rare plants include the following:

  • Autumn willow
  • Bladderwort
  • Green sedge
  • Greenland primrose
  • Hoary willow
  • Little bullrush
  • Moss
  • Myrtleleaf willow
  • Pale blue-eyed grass
  • Porter feathergrass
  • Ragwort
  • Sedge
  • Wood lily 

 

What to See: Birds

  • Mountain plover, a candidate for listing as an endangered species, live in the prairie uplands surrounding the fen.
  • Shorebirds, such as the spotted sandpiper and Wilson's phalarope, can be found here. 

 

What to See: Animals

  • Antelope, coyote, elk, Wyoming ground squirrels

 

High Creek Fen is a very boggy area with level terrain. There are no established trails. Traversing the fen can be hazardous: It is quite easy to get, if you'll pardon the expression, "stuck in the muck." Please wear either rubber boots or a pair of old shoes that you're willing to throw away afterwards.

During summer months, deer flies are an issue; please come prepared with long sleeves/pants and insect repellent.

Also, please leave pets at home while you enjoy the native plants and animals at High Creek Fen.