Colorado is known for its incredible opportunities to view wildlife, and birds are no exception. With its grassy prairie lands and snow-covered peaks, Colorado is home to more than 400 diverse species of birds.

Here are some of the state’s best places to birdwatch.

1. Rocky Mountain National Park

As one of Colorado’s most popular national parks, this park offers excellent wildlife viewing. Rocky Mountain National Park consists of habitats of marsh and meadow, ponderosa pine woodland, spruce-fir forest, and alpine tundra. This habitat provides for great birdwatching. Visitors may encounter the Clark’s nutcracker, pygmy nuthatch, black-billed magpie, mountain chickadee, Steller’s jay, and broad-tailed hummingbird.

2. Barr Lake State Park

This park features a 1,900-acre reservoir which provides an ideal place for birdwatchers to view migrant waterfowl and shorebirds. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), more than 370 species of birds have been seen at the park, including bald eagles, white pelicans, great blue herons, and more.

3. Cherry Creek State Park

This state park in southeastern suburban Denver is home to rare waterbirds, gulls, and land birds. With an 880-acre reservoir, the area has great habitats of riparian woodland, marsh, and grassland. More than 300 species have been recorded at the park.

4. Colorado National Monument

This stunning landscape near Grand Junction features red rock canyons and is a great place to see southwestern bird species. The “towering walls” of the canyons are the perfect place to view golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, gambel’s quail, and more.

5. Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge

Visitors will be welcomed to this area by sandhill cranes, mallard ducks, and western meadowlarks. Located in southern Colorado’s San Luis Valley, the refuge is made up of vistas of wetlands and meadows, providing a perfect environment for birdwatching.

6. Chico Basin Ranch

This ranch is a true hotspot for birdwatching, as it’s an area of grassland with scattered woodland and ponds. It has a list of roughly 330 species. The ranch also maintains a birding and wildlife trail. Visitors must check in at the ranch headquarters, and there is a kiosk with information.

7. John Martin Reservoir State Park

Due to its reservoir in the middle of arid plains, this park attracts plenty of waterfowl, grebes, American White Pelican, shorebirds, gulls, and terns. According to CPW, the park is also home to the piping plover, bald eagles, scaled quail, mallard ducks, and turkey vultures.

8. Cottonwood Canyon

This birding hot spot is located in southeastern Colorado. Birdwatchers who make the trip might see scaled quail, wild turkey, Mississippi Kite, Rufus-crowned sparrow, and more.

9. Pawnee National Grassland

Located in northeastern Colorado, this area is home to lots of prairie birds. Viewers may encounter the golden eagle, Swainson’s hawk, mountain plover, and more.

10. Castlewood Canyon State Park

According to CPW, this state park is home to one of the largest turkey vulture populations in Colorado during the summer. Bluebirds can be found in the park from the spring through the fall, and canyon wrens can also be spotted all over the park.