Natural Resources at Staunton State Park

From high grassy meadows at 8,100 feet to soaring granite cliffs over 10,000 feet, Staunton State Park's varied geology, soils, water features, and climate support rare and unexpected plant communities and a rich diversity of wildlife.

When the Park opens, visitors will enjoy:

Wildlife and vegetation resources such as:

• Wildlife. Staunton provides habitat and is a movement corridor for many wildlife species. Mountain lions, bear, fox, turkey, elk, deer, migratory birds, and other species have been documented. There is lynx habitat, but no lynx have been documented in the Park.
• Raptor nests. Several birds of prey nest in the Park, including hawks, falcons, and owls. Several birds of prey nest in the Park, including hawks, falcons, and owls.
• Old-growth ponderosa pine habitat. Some of the Front Range's most dramatic old-growth ponderosa pine forests, with many trees over 150 years old, are in Staunton State Park. . Some of the Front Range's most dramatic old-growth ponderosa pine forests, with many trees over 150 years old, are in Staunton State Park.
• Aspen forests. Aspen stands of any size are few and far between along the Front Range, and Staunton has two larger stands that provide important habitat for wildlife and migratory birds.
• Native plant communities. Staunton has several intact native vegetation communities that represent a wide range of elevation gradients. The Colorado Natural Heritage Program has ranked two wetland communities as rare at Staunton. Additionally, two rare plants have been located within the park, both of which are of major conservation value and concern.

Water resources such as:

• Elk Creek Falls. The waterfall drops almost 300 feet, creating what will become one of the most popular attractions at the park.
• Wet meadows. Staunton has a number of healthy meadow systems that provide important flood mitigation and habitat for many wildlife species and vegetation communities.

Geological resources such as:

• Large rock outcrops and cliffs. Different rates of erosion created spectacular groupings of granite outcrops and cliffs that are the Park's rocky sentries, including Lions Head, Chimney Rock, Cathedral Rocks, and Staunton Rocks. The erosive forces also initiated soil development, leaving behind a mosaic of soil types that support a range of vegetation communities mirroring this mosaic.