Flora & Fauna

Flora & Fauna

Since 2000, wildfires have claimed thousands of Mesa Verde's acres. Visitors will see the scars for a long time, as it can take 300 years for an evergreen woodland to restore itself. In spring and summer, however, you'll still see brightly colored blossoms, like the yellow Perky Sue, sage, yucca, and mountain mahogany. Sand-loving blue lupines are seen along the roadways in the higher elevations, and bright-red Indian paintbrushes are scattered throughout the rocky cliffs.

Mule deer are the park's most frequently sighted larger animals. About 200 species of birds, including red-tailed hawks and golden eagles, live in Mesa Verde, as does the poisonous prairie rattler (give it plenty of space and it'll likely just mosey along on its way). The animals seek shade in trees and under brush, so the best times to spot them are in the early morning and just before dusk.