The Land
Set across 172,000 acres in southern Colorado, Trinchera – formed from two historic ranches – stretches from the high desert of the San Luis Valley through piñon woodland to the alpine peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Six ecological zones unfold across the reserve, culminating in three 14,000-foot summits. Trinchera Reserve & Lodge exists for two reasons; to help protect this landscape in perpetuity, and welcome guests into it in a meaningful way that builds respect, curiosity and connection.
Trinchera’s conservation easement donation — the largest ever received by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — helped establish the Sangre de Cristo Conservation Area as the nation’s 558th unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It also contributed to a landscape-scale network of more than 800,000 acres of protected land stretching from Great Sand Dunes National Park to northern New Mexico, forming one of the most significant contiguous conservation landscapes in the continental United States.
Location & Getting Here
Reserve At A Glance
- 172,000 acres, more than 250 square miles of protected land
- 3 peaks above 14,000 feet
- ~200 miles of streams
- 2 high-alpine lakes
- ~50 miles of trails
- 170+ species of birds in summer
- ~100 miles of scenic, bikeable roads
- 4 wilderness outposts for overnight or dining
History and Presence
The Reserve reflects a broader history of the American West–its ambition, use, and consequence. That legacy is present across the land and within the Lodge, where books and artifacts hold its weight in quiet continuity. Today, stewardship focuses on protecting habitat and water through long-term care of the land, reflected in how the landscape is managed and maintained.
Our Mission