Staunton State Park

Most of the park lies on a large granite formation called the Pikes Peak batholiths. Formed as the Earth's crust was pushed up from below its hot liquid core, this batholith intruded into Precambrian metamorphic rocks. Millennia of uplift and erosion exposed the granite and eroded away most of the Precambrian rocks. Different rates of erosion created spectacular groupings of granite cliffs and outcrops like Lions Head, Chimney Rock, Elk Creek Spires and Staunton Rocks.

The park has a mix of grasslands, foothills, cliffs, and streams, creating a varied landscape. With an elevation gradient of over 2,000 feet, diverse terrain and water features, the park is home to many different plant and animal communities.

1. Birds: American Robin, Hose Wren, Osprey, and Downy Woodpecker.

2. Mammals: Elk, Least Chipmunk, Pacific Marten, and Coyote

3. Reptiles and Amphibians: Western Terrestrial Garter Snake

In the upper montane forests, which cover the vast majority of the park, there are ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, Englemann spruce, limber pine and aspen scattered throughout the park.

Interspersed with the forest are several lush meadow wetlands and drier montane grassland communities. Riparian trees, and shrubs and wetland vegetation dominate the stream corridors.

Wildflowers are abundant throughout the park. Join one of our naturalist-led wildflower hikes to learn more about the plant life in the park. To help preserve their beauty for future generations, please do not pick the wildflowers or plants.