FAQs

  • How do I register? It’s simple! After registration opens on March 22, 2025 at 10:00 MST, go to the registration tab above and click on the registration link that will appear.
  • What if I need to cancel? Please don’t—we want you to join us! But if you must cancel, please be aware there are no refunds and registration is not transferable.
  • What’s the schedule for the festival?
    • March 1: Festival schedule published. Start planning, and remember to pick second favorites in case your first choices fill up.
    • March 22 – April 5: Registration open
    • April 6 – 27: Late Registration still available
    • Wednesday, May 14: Materials pick-up at either Fountain Creek or Bear Creek Nature Center – materials will stay at the location you choose during registration until you pick them up. Please don’t delay!
    • Thursday, May 15: The festival begins with field trips starting as early as 6:00 a.m.!
    • Friday, May 16: Field trips, seminars, workshops all day and into the evening
    • Saturday, May 17: Field trips, seminars, workshops all day until Birds, Brews, and Bites from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Bear Creek Regional Park.
    • Sunday, May 18: Field Trips all morning, the latest wrapping up around 1:00 p.m.
  • I’m flying to Colorado. Will I need to rent a car? Yes. You’ll need to get to your hotel and restaurants, plus the various festival venues and field trips, some of which leave quite early in the morning.
  • Where should I stay? Our festival has no real central location or exhibitor’s hall. Field trips, workshops, and seminars meet up and go all over the Pikes Peak Region. Choose the lodging option you like best. We recommend somewhere with easy access to I-25. There are numerous hotel and rental options.
Field trips take place all over this map, and many are off the map! Choose a central location that works best for you.
  • What should I pack? Be prepared with layers of clothing, a warm jacket, rain gear, scarf & gloves, a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, camera, binoculars (and scope if you have one), and perhaps a field guide. A day pack is helpful, and don’t forget a reusable water bottle.
Families are welcome!
Families are welcome!
  • Should I bring my kids? Absolutely! There are some festival activities and hikes appropriate for children. Introduce them to nature now and they’ll reap the rewards for a lifetime. Any minimum age requirement is noted in the event’s description.
  • Are meals provided? With the exception of Saturday’s Birds, Brews & Bites event (from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm), participants are responsible for all of their own meals. Most trips end by noon, and for longer trips, a number of local restaurants sell carry-out lunches. Note that some field trips leave very early, so you may want to plan ahead for breakfast and snacks on the go.
  • Isn’t Colorado all mountains? The Pikes Peak area includes all types of terrain. To the east, short-grass prairie stretches for hundreds of miles. To the west, Pikes Peak dominates the landscape at 14,115 feet. Aiken Canyon Preserve to the south hosts one of the largest, intact pinyon-juniper habitats along the foothills, while Monument Creek and Fountain Creek provide vital riparian habitat through the center of El Paso County and beyond.
  • What about the altitude? If you’re coming from sea level, you can expect some shortness of breath. Elevations range from 5,075 feet at Chico Basin Ranch to 14,115 at the top of Pikes Peak. Many of the field trips take place at elevations between 6,000 and 7,000 feet. Make sure to drink plenty of water, and pace yourself. Also, the thin air lets more sunlight through, so use sunscreen to avoid getting burned.
  • What birds can I expect to see? Of course, you never know what will appear during migration. We provide links to both state and county checklists, here. What are your target birds?
  • What is the difference between a walk and a hike? A walk is generally an easier paced, on-trail trip. A hike is more difficult (either altitude or distance), often on uneven ground with some bushwhacking or fence traversing expected.