Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
Answers field/weather and mapped habitat context; it does not predict migration or bird presence.
Tomorrow looks better than today
Tomorrow’s planning score is 86/100 versus 69/100 today. The main forecast change is that maximum wind drops from 15 to 10 mph, and peak rain probability falls from 73% to 54%.
Most important: Mapped wetland habitat: The surrounding area has a substantial mapped wetland footprint. That supports habitat context, but it does not prove birds are present today.
What the numbers actually change
Mapped wetland habitat
15,937 acres within 10 miThe surrounding area has a substantial mapped wetland footprint. That supports habitat context, but it does not prove birds are present today.
Wind / field setup
15 mph maxThere is enough wind to matter for field setup and travel.
Official recreation record
Source: Recreation.gov / RIDB. Verify current reservation, closure and facility details on the official service.
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is located in the San Luis Valley, a high mountain basin located in south-central Colorado. It’s one of three national wildlife refuges in the Valley that provides crucial feeding, resting, and breeding habitat for over 200 bird species and other wildlife. Alamosa and Monte Vista Refuges are located at the south-central end of the Valley and Baca Refuge is located at the north end. The Refuge’s wetlands are artificially made and…
Official directions: Directions to Monte Vista Refuge: From the town of Monte Vista, drive south on State Hwy 15 (Gunbarrel Road) for 6 miles to the entrance of the wildlife. The small office and visitor contact station at the Refuge is located at the start of the Wildlife Drive. The visitor contact station is operated by volunteers…
Terrain context
Sampled terrain is planning context, not a survey or route assessment.
Wetland context
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory. Mapping is not a regulatory wetland determination or property-boundary survey.
15,937 mapped wetland acres were returned within the 10-mile query area.
Important gaps
- Regional snow/freeze progression, crop/food context and live bird observations are not yet part of this score; do not treat it as a migration forecast.
Gear justified by these conditions
Packable waterproof shell
The forecast contains a meaningful precipitation risk, so this recommendation is tied directly to today’s conditions.
See options on Amazon →Wind-resistant outer layer
Forecast wind is high enough to affect comfort and exposure.
See options on Amazon →Waterproof field bag
The mapped wetland footprint makes waterproof storage more relevant than on a dry-land outing.
See options on Amazon →