Plains Conservation Center | Denver

Plains Conservation Center is a 1,100-acre preserved shortgrass prairie habitat and outdoor education facility located in Aurora, Colorado, at 21901 E. Hampden Avenue. It provides an immersive experience into the natural, cultural, and agricultural history of Colorado's Eastern Plains. The center serves as a living laboratory, museum, and heritage village-all surrounded by wide-open skies and panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains.

The center is co-managed by the City of Aurora and the Denver Botanic Gardens, with a shared mission: to preserve the native prairie ecosystem, promote conservation awareness, and educate the public on the human and ecological history of the region.

Natural Landscape and Ecosystem

The land encompasses authentic shortgrass prairie, one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. This landscape once covered millions of acres stretching from eastern Colorado into Kansas, Nebraska, and beyond. The center protects a large intact piece of this ecosystem, including native grasses such as:

Blue grama

Buffalograss

Western wheatgrass

Yucca and rabbitbrush

The region is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including:

Pronghorn antelope

Coyotes

Black-tailed prairie dogs

Red-tailed hawks

Western meadowlarks

Burrowing owls

Bald eagles (during migration)

Because of its relatively undisturbed state, the Plains Conservation Center serves as a critical refuge for grassland-dependent species, making it a prime spot for birdwatching, nature photography, and quiet observation.

Historic and Cultural Components

One of the most distinctive features of the center is its replica 1800s homestead and Native American camp, providing a side-by-side view of two vastly different but overlapping cultural experiences from the Colorado frontier.

Pioneer Homestead Village

Features reconstructed buildings that portray life for Euro-American settlers in the 1800s, including:

Sod house (soddy) – Built from soil and grass, typical of early prairie homes.

One-room schoolhouse – Complete with desks, slates, and a teacher's lectern.

Blacksmith shop

Chicken coop and barn

Vegetable and herb garden using heirloom cultivars from the 19th century.

Interpreters often wear period clothing during scheduled tours and events, explaining the day-to-day challenges of homesteading in a dry and windy environment with limited resources.

Cheyenne Tipi Village

Reflects the nomadic lifestyle of the Cheyenne and Arapaho, the Indigenous peoples who lived on the plains before and during the early settlement era.

Features:

Authentic-style tipis

Interpretive signage about food, family structures, tools, clothing, and seasonal movements

Comparisons between Indigenous and settler ways of life

Educational programming explores land use, cultural survival, and environmental adaptation from the Cheyenne perspective.

Trails and Outdoor Exploration

Visitors can access approximately 14 miles of trails winding through grasslands, dry creek beds, and historical features. These trails are open for hiking and nature walking only-no pets, bikes, or horseback riding are allowed to protect the fragile ecosystem.

There are both self-guided options and ranger-led tours. Along the way, interpretive signs highlight:

Prairie plant identification

Geological formations

Animal tracks and burrows

Cultural context for the buildings and structures

Benches and shaded areas are located throughout for rest and quiet observation.

Educational Programs and Events

The Plains Conservation Center is deeply focused on experiential, hands-on education, especially for families and school groups. Programs are designed to integrate Colorado state curriculum with practical, outdoor learning.

Public Programs

Family workshops such as:

People of the Plains: explore the daily life of Cheyenne and settlers.

Prairie Ecology: teaches soil, wildlife, and water cycles through hands-on activity.

Earth Day celebrations, Prairie Harvest events, and Star Parties with astronomy groups occur seasonally.

School Field Trips and Homeschool Programs

Students engage in wagon rides, pioneer chores, prairie wildlife identification, and historical role play.

Customizable educational units for K–12 include:

Plant and animal adaptations

Soil science

Westward expansion

Water conservation

Volunteer and Youth Programs

Conservation projects for older students and scouts

Garden maintenance with Master Gardeners

Wildlife monitoring and citizen science activities

Demonstration Garden and Agriculture

In partnership with CSU Extension and Master Gardeners of Arapahoe County, the center operates a half-acre heirloom demonstration garden, growing crops such as:

Beans, onions, tomatoes

Amaranth, corn, squash

Medicinal and culinary herbs

This garden follows no-till, organic, and water-wise practices, teaching sustainable agriculture principles and donating fresh produce to local food banks. Visitors are welcome to explore the garden during open hours.

Composting, rainwater collection, and natural pest control methods are showcased throughout.

Visitor Amenities and Information

Visitor Center

Modern building with exhibits, classrooms, restrooms, and gift shop

Contains dioramas, interpretive displays, and rotating nature exhibits

Open Wednesday–Friday (12:00 PM–4:30 PM)
Saturday–Sunday (9:00 AM–4:30 PM)
Closed on Mondays and major holidays

Accessibility

Buildings and paths around the homestead and visitor center are wheelchair-accessible

Interpretive signage includes visual and tactile components

Admission

Self-guided visits are free; no reservation needed for trails

Workshops and guided programs have fees (typically $10–$15 per person)

Wagon rides, festivals, and group events require registration in advance

Rules

No pets, bicycles, drones, or smoking

Stay on marked trails to protect wildlife and plants

Respect cultural areas and artifacts

Why Visit

Plains Conservation Center is a hidden gem that offers a rare window into Colorado's prairie past, both ecologically and culturally. It’s ideal for:

Nature lovers who want to walk through unspoiled grassland

Families looking for meaningful outdoor education

Educators seeking place-based learning experiences

Anyone curious about pioneer history, Native American life, and conservation

The combination of wide-open landscape, living history exhibits, and wildlife-rich trails makes this destination deeply immersive and educational. It offers peace, perspective, and insight just minutes away from the city.