Take a trip back in time to Colorado’s high plains and pioneer life in the late-1800's. The Plains Conservation Center is a true-to-life homestead with short-grass prairie views stretching across 1,100 acres of dedicated open space located at 21901 E. Hampden Ave. Aurora, CO 80013.
Visit the nature center before you head out on the trails to pick up a map and learn the history of the site. Visitors can hike along rolling trails and may see bald eagles, prairie dogs, pronghorn, coyotes and red-tailed hawks.
Hours of Operation
Wednesday - Friday: noon - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday - Tuesday: CLOSED
View the site map
Programs
Plains Conservation Center Wagon Tour
Get to know the prairie in a whole new way. On our ride across the plains, participants watch for wildlife in the landscape. With stops at the sod homes and tipi camp, your group will experience what it was like to be a homesteader and a Native American living on the prairie in the 1800s. Tours are on most Saturdays with registration through the Denver Botanic Gardens website. Cost is $10 per person, children ages 2 & younger are free.
Home on the Range: The Story of A Prairie Farm
Enjoy a wagon ride and light snack while touring an 1800's-style sod village, then interact with and feed our resident farm animals. Learn how early settlers survived life on the prairie, including how they got their food and endured the many hardships of Homesteading. This program occurs Wednesdays - Sundays from 3-4 p.m. Cost: $10 per person; children 2 years and under are free. Registration is done through the Denver Botanic Gardens website.
Please visit the Denver Botanic Gardens website to see other available programs at the Plains Conservation Center.
SCFD Free Day Offerings @ PCC
Every third Thursday of the month from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. the Plains Conservation Center, in partnership with the Denver Botanic Gardens, will participate in the 2019 Scientific and Cultural Facilities District Free Days program by offering special ecological and historical educational programming including wagon rides, sod-village tours and refreshments.
(Except the months of Sept. and Oct.)
View the Aurora Nature News to find out about upcoming nature programming. Sign up here to receive it in your email inbox every quarter.
Contact
21901 E. Hampden Ave Aurora, CO 80013
303.326.8380
nature@auroragov.org