Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is a delightful United States National Wildlife Refuge within the beautiful San Luis Valley, located near the town of Monte Vista in Rio Grande County. The refuge was originally established by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission in 1953 as a habitat for native San Luis Valley waterfowl and wildlife, located on the site of a former agricultural area. It is known as a major stopover point for migrating greater sandhill cranes traveling between southern Canada and the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, seeing approximately 20,000 cranes migrating each spring and fall. Each year in March, the refuge hosts the annual Monte Vista Crane Festival, celebrating the return of the beautiful birds.

6120 CO-15, Monte Vista, CO 81144, Phone: 719-589-4021

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