The Plains Conservation Center is an 1,100 acre nature preserve in Aurora, Colorado. There’s a nature center and hiking trails with views of the Rocky Mountains.

I visited back in August when my pal Johnna and I met for a whirlwind road-tripping adventure around the state. We stopped here for a walk on the way to the airport. It was exactly the right choice.

A red-tailed hawk played above us while prairie dogs scurried to avoid us on the ground.

There’s a homestead village with a handful of buildings and animals.

And a tipi camp that caught my eye.

There’s a collection of old farm equipment too.

Want to visit? Check out their website for more!