Sage-grouse Lek Viewing Protocol

The Gunnison Sage-grouse is a seriously threatened species and highly vulnerable to human disturbance. Sisk-a-dee, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Western Colorado University are actively managing the Waunita Watchable Wildlife site to minimize the impacts of viewing the birds.  Please help us make this viewing experience quality for you and other birders by following the protocol below. Thank you for your efforts, and enjoy the rare and beautiful dance of the Gunnison Sage-grouse!

• • • The Waunita Watchable Wildlife Site State Wildlife Area is the only site where Gunnison Sage-grouse viewing is permitted on public or private land.
    • Plan ahead and know the protocols and viewing dates!
    • From Gunnison head east on U.S. Highway 50 and turn left (north) on to Gunnison County Road 887. This is a well-maintained gravel road.  Proceed for 0.6 miles and arrive at the pull off on the right side of the road.  This is the Waunita Watchable Wildlife Site State Wildlife Area. The State Wildlife Area is located on the side of a county road and is surrounded by private lands. The sage-grouse lek is located on private land as well.  Please be highly respectful of the neighbors and recognize that movement away from the parking area is trespassing on private land.
    • Viewing Gunnison Sage-grouse is permitted only from the Waunita Watchable Wildlife parking area or trailer. Gunnison County installed no parking signs along County Road 887 north of the parking area.  The county sheriff, USFWS, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife District Wildlife Managers patrol the area and issue wildlife harassment violations for individuals who deviate from the protocols.
• Arrive at the viewing site at least 1 hour before sunrise. You should leave Gunnison at least 1 hour and 45 minutes before sunrise. See the sunrise timetable on this page. No overnight parking or camping is allowed at the site.
• If you are the first vehicle to arrive in the morning, drive as far north as you can into the semi-circular drive behind the rock wall.  Subsequent vehicles parallel park behind the first car.  Please pull up as close as possible to the vehicle in front.
• When you arrive at the Waunita Watchable Wildlife Site, a volunteer will greet you.  They can help answer questions and will be monitoring your activities through the morning.  Please do not leave your vehicle. Plan ahead when you leave Gunnison so you have your equipment ready and reduce the need for setup when you arrive at the viewing site.  Remember that you will stay in your vehicle and only one side of the car will face the lek (the right side, passenger side).  If you have two people in a car and a backseat you might put one person in the back so both can view out of the right side windows.
• Turn off vehicle engine and turn all lights off when you arrive and do not start the engine until you leave. It is important to roll your windows down when you turn your engine off and leave them down to reduce car sounds that are produced when you turn the engine on to roll down the window.  Because your windows will be down throughout the morning, be sure to wear warm clothes and bring blankets to wrap up.  You must remain in your car until all birds have flushed from the lek or until a volunteer signifies it is ok to get out of your car and/or leave the site.
• The Gunnison Sage-grouse are often seen over 1 km from the viewing site. Therefore, it is important to have a spotting scope and it works best to have a window mount for your scope.
• Please remain in your vehicle and set up your spotting scope.  Remain as quiet as possible: Avoid radios, cell phones, horn honking, car door slamming or other automobile noises, and avoid turning on lights. 
• This site is not designed for photography. The grouse are over 1 km from the viewing site, they are often active at very low light levels, and the site faces into the sun.  If you attempt to photograph the birds, flash photography is not permitted.
• An outhouse is available at the site. After the grouse have flushed or the volunteer has indicated it is ok to depart your vehicle you are welcome to leave your vehicle, use the outhouse, and read the interpretive literature.
• Remain very quiet; if you do talk keep your voices to a whisper.
• Do not leave the site. Remain in your vehicle until the birds have ended their displays and a volunteer has indicated when it is appropriate to leave.
• All visitors to the Waunita Watchable Wildlife Site State Wildlife Area must have a valid Colorado fishing or hunting license or a State Wildlife Area pass. To obtain these you can visit your local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office, a sporting goods store that sells licenses, or the CPW webpage.

  Directions to navigate CPW Webpage to purchase SWA Pass:

  1. Click on the link above to take you to the CPW webpage.
  2. In the blue header on the CPW webpage, choose “Buy and Apply”
  3. Select the box indicating State Wildlife Area (SWA) Pass
  4. A box appears asking you to input your Age, a second box asks you to indicate your residency status
  5. Then click “GO”
  6. A menu appears on the left side of the page, choose “Land and Trails”
  7. Then you have the option of buying an annual SWA pass or a daily SWA pass.

Gunnison Sunrises 2024

Times are adjusted for daylight savings.