Keenesburg (Wild Animal Sanctuary)
Walk an elevated boardwalk above rescued lions, tigers, bears and wolves on the Colorado plains.
About Keenesburg
The Wild Animal Sanctuary sits on the open prairie outside Keenesburg, a small Weld County town northeast of Denver. It's a nonprofit refuge for rescued large carnivores, and visitors watch the animals from an elevated walkway system that winds above large natural habitats.
The Keenesburg sanctuary covers about 1,450 acres with roughly a mile and a half of walkways. The original Mile Into the Wild walkway opened in 2012, and the expanded system was later certified by Guinness at nearly 8,000 feet long. You'll see lions, tigers, bears, wolves and more roaming grassland enclosures rather than cages.
The sanctuary is open seven days a week. Check its website for current hours, sunset closing times and ticket prices before you go.
A 501(c)(3) rescue northeast of Denver caring for large carnivores — lions, tigers, bears, wolves — most rescued from illegal or abusive situations, now roaming large, species-specific habitats across more than a thousand acres of open plains. A 1.5-mile elevated walkway lets you shoot down into the enclosures without a fence line cutting across the frame, which is a real advantage over most zoo-style wildlife photography.
History
Pat Craig started the sanctuary in 1980 after taking in a jaguar cub on his family's farm near Boulder. The operation moved to Lyons and later to Keenesburg. It nearly closed in 2006 when donations fell, which led it to open to the public. In 2011 it took in 25 lions rescued from Bolivian circuses. The organization has since expanded with a large refuge in southeastern Colorado and a ranch near Craig for rescued horses. Keenesburg itself was incorporated in 1919 and is named for early settler Les Keene.
Photographing Keenesburg
Best light: Clear mornings and late afternoons give warmer, lower light across the grassland habitats; harsh midday sun flattens fur detail. Big cats often rest in the heat, so cooler days can mean more movement.
Shots to look for
- A lion or tiger resting in prairie grass shot down from the walkway with a 100-400mm
- Bears in their habitat with the open plains horizon behind
- Wolves moving through grassland, panning at a moderate shutter speed
- A wide shot of the walkway snaking over the habitats to tell the sanctuary story
Photo tips
- Bring a long lens; animals are often far from the walkway
- Shoot from the observation decks, which the sanctuary recommends for photography
- Commercial or for-profit photography has strict guidelines; contact the sanctuary first
- Don't stop or slow on the drive in to view animals, and stay away from habitat fences in the lot
Know before you go
- No dogs anywhere on the property, and you can't leave them in a car outside the entrance
- No smoking or vaping anywhere on site
- Running and yelling aren't allowed because they stress the animals
- Check current hours, sunset closing times and ticket prices on the sanctuary's website
Prints from Keenesburg
Every photo is available as a print on metal, canvas, wood or fine art paper.
Frequently asked questions
Can you bring dogs to the Wild Animal Sanctuary?
No. Dogs aren't allowed anywhere on the property, including left in cars outside the entrance.
How long is the walkway at the Wild Animal Sanctuary?
There are about 1.5 miles of elevated walkways above the habitats.
Can you take photos at the Wild Animal Sanctuary?
Yes, personal photography is welcome from the observation decks. Commercial work requires contacting the sanctuary first.
Featured in: Where to Photograph Wildlife in Colorado
Combine it with
Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR, Commerce City · Barr Lake State Park · Eastern Plains (general) · Anderson Farms (Erie)
More Colorado spots
Sources & further reading: wildanimalsanctuary.org · en.wikipedia.org · wildanimalsanctuary.org · en.wikipedia.org. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.