A free day at the Plains Conservation Center. A small but interesting museum and helpful staff. Replicas of 1860 sod houses and life on the plains at the time. The houses are located a good , hot walk from the visitor center, and I guess you can't drive closer.. our hike suddenly ended when we came upon this large snake! The staff was unfazed-a common beneficial bull snake-got our hearts racing! read more

Plains Conservation Center - Very large but non venomous snake and a bunny fighting. - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Aurora, Colorado

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I had no clue this place existed until I went looking for Girl Scout outings. We had a wagon tour of the place and it was absolutely phenomenal. I wish I could remember his name but he said he had been there about 5 years. And there wasn't a question asked that he couldn't answer. We learned about erosion at the water table. We learned about prairie ecosystems. We experienced what it was like living in a sod homestead. And we got a brief overview of the Cheyanne way of life. All of this was followed by s'mores. We saw the eagle nest and several pronghorn and dozens of prairie dogs. The eagles weren't around but they should be back in the spring. If you are looking for a fun and educational experience not too far from Denver, this is the place you are looking for. read more

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Solid free day experience with my little one! It was definitely geared for older kiddos but it was still fun to get out and about with my 1.5 year old. She really enjoyed chasing the bunnies we saw near the homestead. read more

Staff were so helpful and informative. They clearly love their work. Good walk/ hike during cooler weather. No shade

I bought tickets for a wagon ride at the center. I have never visited this natural space even though o have driven past it many times before. We drove through the entrance and towards buildings. There were two signs directing us to the parking lot. We walked towards the wagon and were directed to check in at the visitor center. They had craft tables set up in the visitor center. Also restrooms available. They announced the ride would begin soon and for us to gather outside. We boarded the wagon and took advantage of the cushioned mats for us to sit on. They also had quilts for the cold. I must have not read the description well because the naturalist, David, told us Santa was riding with us! What a surprise. He was the western Santa with cowboy hat and curled mustache. Slightly bumpy ride but David told us lots of interesting facts about the area and plants and animals which thrive there. The ride stopped in different areas for us to look at the various locations of interest. The herd of pronghorn were amazing. We saw a bald eagle nest and the bald eagles. That was even more amazing. After the ride we got to visit with Santa, Mrs Claud and an elf. Drink hot chocolate or cider and sit by the fire. Restrooms were available in that building as well. I complete the chime stick craft I started before the ride and made an ornament for our tree as a momento. What a fun day. Even my son enjoyed it. I was afraid it would be boring for him as he had visited the center twice before. Another memory made. read more

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The Plains Conservation Center is such a cool and beautiful place. It's definitely a bit out there, but it's worth it to feel a bit more out of the city. They have some nice walking trails and it's cool to see all of the historic artifacts and buildings. Highly recommend checking it out! read more

Plains Conservation Center - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Aurora, Colorado

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Go to this place when it's SCFD free day because they have a full day of fun things. When we went, HawkQuest was there with Kin introducing us to an owl, Harris Hawk, Bald Eagle, and Perrigrine falcon. Next there was a wagon ride where we learned about all those pronghorns and prairie dogs who we're watching us pass by. We got introduced to Cherokee Indian artifacts while inside one of the teepees. The sod houses are interesting to see too as they remind us that the are was once without trees. The staff is always so informative and engaging. read more

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The PCC is an excellent glimpse into Colorado's past. I went there one late afternoon and there were no activities, but it's not hard to see this place would be an excellent place for kids and school groups, and adults will enjoy this place to. While walking down the gravel road, I took in the vast plains views, and contemplated what life would be like in the eastern plains as a settler trying to carve out a living in what is essentially a barren wasteland much of the year. I enjoyed the geese flying in formation, the cattle running in the distance but did not, unfortunately, see the antelope. I wasn't certain how much of the structures were real versus reproduction, a testament to the quality of the work put into the park. The road is lined with the remains of farm implements from several different periods of history. The trails provide a beautiful place to get a long gentle hike. If you love history, scenery and wildlife, this is the place to go. Just minutes from Denver, yet a world away. read more

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I recommend calling in advance of your visit to confirm open hours. Their website currently lists weekday visitor hours as 8 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday. I drove to the center today (Thursday morning) to discover a permanent-looking sign at the gate listing today's opening time as noon. Disappointing as I was looking forward to exploring the prairie ecosystem and viewing birds. It was a drive out of my way and a waste my time and gas. Please-update your website! read more

This is a fun interactive place to tour. It's a gem near Aurora, Denver, and Centennial. We rode the wagon on a Saturday tour with Julie, who was knowledgeable and fun. Tourists ranged for 5 to 80 years old and it looked like it could accommodate a wheelchair. Binoculars were even provided. Julie shared some interactive props illustrating how much water the area gets per year and we all got to touch prong horn antlers and skin. We saw many animals and learned a lot about short grass prairies. We hiked around a bit too and checked out the teepees. I'd recommend this as a nature experience to anyone into the open plains, old west history, or viewing wildlife. read more

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What an absolutely fantastic place! I am very thankful that the Yelp community introduces me to these types of hidden gems! This place is a wonderful place for hiking, star gazing, learning, and more! If you have not checked the Plains Conservation Center out, pick a sunny day and make it happen! Great, great experience! read more

It was absolutely stunning to visit the Plains Conservation Center. I often imagine what Colorado looked like before the malls, housing developments, and shopping centers were erected and I was so happy to get a glimpse of this during my visit. The staff were extremely friendly and approachable. The bones, furs, and live snakes/turtles within the nature center were really fantastic. I especially enjoyed posing with the stuffed pronghorn and bison heads. Within a short walk from the parking area I enjoyed feeding chickens and perusing the blacksmith shop and Johnson homestead. There were also some tipis to explore which I was excited to learn are available for camping. I look forward to returning to the Plains Conservation Center with out of town guests as well a to walk/run/snowshoe their many trails. read more

Who knew a place like this existed in the Denver Metro area? The Plains is a 1000 acre (and 9000 additional acres 30 miles further east) outdoor education facility, where kids of all ages can learn a bit about the 19th century prairie settlers, the plains indians, and all kinds of prairie wildlife. It started out in 1949 to educate farmers in farming and ranching techniques to avoid another dust bowl disaster. It is now an educational non-profit, funded by private donations. The best part? It's FREE! They do have programs that will charge a nominal fee, such as guided nature walks, bird watching , and constellation programs. The site also hosts a farm to table dinner each season, where the chefs use cooking techniques of the era. But for 6 days a week you can stroll the grounds at no charge, for as long as its open. The grounds are just lovely, in a windblown, Little House On The Prairie sort of way. You could spend all day out here, listening to the prairie dogs warning each other of your presence (did you know their yips have adjectives?), checking out the sod houses, the one room schoolhouse, petting the big cows, chasing chickens, or viewing the reptiles in the prairie house. Want to ride your bike? Come on out, and avoid the crowds on the metro bike paths. With 1000 acres to explore, there's a good chance you will have some privacy. This is an especially great place for kids to run around and get some fresh air, and learn something in the process. read more

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I had a blast here at yesterday's Yelp Harvest Hoopla Event hosted here. The center gave us educational information about insect/animal sex behaviors. I learned that prairie female dogs have sex once a year. They have tons of prairie dogs, some chickens, some hawks and some antelope. The plains are 1K acres big and they offer hay rides that pass by little homes made to mimic the 1800s styled farm-styled structures. They have cool teepees and educational boards about rattle snakes, dung beetles and birds found in that area. read more

Anything that preserves the history of Aurora and how the people lived before we became the sprawling suburbia we are today is awesome in my book. There are tons of programs offered by the PCC, including: Full Moon Walks Prairie Preschool Reenactments of prairie living Plant sales Cheese making lessons Herbal remedy lessons Wildlife viewing Meteor shower watching There are also different fundraisers such as Hops for Habitat and dinners. What a cool place to go and experience some Colorado history! read more

I can't believe I haven't written a review of the Plains Conservation Center yet. Such a shame. This non-profit boasts some wonderful views, educational programs, and friendly visits back in time to life on the plains. It truly makes you appreciate our habitat here in the Western region of the country, as well as what we ned to do to preserve it. School groups are given in depth tours and fun, interactive sessions where the staff actually dress in character like people back in the day living off the land. Yeah, that's right...Oregon Trial style. Plus, there's Prairie Dogs scurrying around in their holes everywhere you look. I'm also eager to return for the scenic, sunset rides out to their sister ranch where the "buffalo roam, where the deer and the antelope play, where seldom is heard a discouraging word. And the skies are not cloudy all day..." okay - I'll stop now. read more

The Plains Conservation Center is a photographer's dream. A wide variety of wildlife and scenery all within a relatively small area. A great place to photograph one of Colorado's amazing sunsets. read more

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I have been coming here for years and always had a good time. The offer many different programs to choose from. My favorite event is hops for habitat, you pay $30 and you get to drink all you want. There is 14 different breweries who are attending and you get to keep your glass when you leave. It takes place and the end of july. Check out there website for all the different programs that they offer. read more

I was hoping for more activities or interests for the kids, but they got bored quickly. There was a large sand area that lasted about 5 minutes, a few teepees that you can just see from a distance since I don't think you can go inside, and a yurt that was locked so we couldn't go in. The visitor center had some reptiles and a display of taxidermed animals, which held the kids' interests for a bit. We went on a trail hike and saw plenty of prairie dogs, an owl, and a pronghorn, but it was quite hot and sunny on the graveled, unleveled trail so we turned around after 15 minutes. The staff was friendly. read more

Oh my god! Such a great place for kids. We saw so many animals on the wagon ride! Totally worth it. A hidden gem :)

This place is right by my house in the conservatory and I love it! Not only do they hold events sometimes but I don't have to fear someone building a townhouse right behind me! I love being able to look at the open space. Classic Colorado beauty. read more

The Plains was a wonderful place to visit. On our first visit we enjoyed the farm - especially the chickens - and just walking around the prairie and all of the wildlife. Oh the prairie dogs! The children also liked the exhibits in the visitors center. Then we discovered the huge sandpit play area which occupied at least two more hours of fun creative play. We brought our own picnic lunch, there were plenty of tables. We must have come on a quiet day. Felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. Can't wait to come again! read more