Owl Canyon Pinyon Grove

Location: Larimer county
Size: 658 acres
Designated: 1978, 1979, and 1985
Landowner: Private, CO Parks & Wildlife, and State Land Board

Owl Canyon supports a disjunct, dense population of Pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) which is at the northeastern extremity of its range in North America.  The closest other pinyon pine community is about 100 miles distant.  Individual trees in the grove are from 200 to 500 years old.  The area serves as a study site for the biology of pinyon and its associated biotic community.  It also contains populations of other plant species of special interest such as the uncommon dry-site fern, Pellaea atropurpurea  (purple cliff-brake).