See the Tarantula Migration at Vogel Canyon
For a few weeks each fall, the short-grass prairie south of La Junta puts on one of southeastern Colorado’s strangest and most wonderful shows: the tarantula migration at Vogel Canyon. Male tarantulas leave their burrows in search of mates and cross the roads and trails in the hundreds, usually from mid-September through mid-October, most active in the couple of hours before sunset.
When to go
Late September into early October is the sweet spot. Aim for the golden hour — the spiders move most as the day cools, and the light on the canyon walls is worth the drive on its own. Weekdays are quieter if you’d rather have the trails to yourself.
What else is out there
Vogel Canyon is about a 20-minute drive south of the inn. Beyond the tarantulas, you’ll find four hiking trails, Native American rock art, the ruins of a stagecoach stop, and — a little farther along the Purgatoire River — some of the best-preserved dinosaur trackways in North America.
Make a day of it
Bring water, sturdy shoes, and a hat; there’s little shade on the prairie. Start early with breakfast at the inn, spend the cooler morning hiking, and time your loop back through the canyon for late afternoon. When you’re back, the Yak & Yeti Lounge is right on the property for dinner and a drink.
Planning a fall trip? Check availability or call the front desk at 719.383.3946 — the migration weeks book up early.