Hallam Lake (ACES) Description

Hallam Lake is a 25-acre nature preserve and environmental education center in Aspen, Colorado, serving as the original location of the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. The property was donated in 1968 by Elizabeth Paepcke and remains open to the public year-round. Located at the end of Puppy Smith Street behind the Aspen Post Office, the preserve can be accessed through a set of stone gates with parking available on the left. Visitors follow a trail to the Hallam Lake Nature Center, where on-site naturalists are available to answer questions during regular business hours.

The preserve features a half-mile loop nature trail that meanders through wetlands, aspen forest, and meadows with multiple observation decks along the route. A self-guided tour book is available for those who want to learn about the local landscape, or visitors can explore independently. The property supports diverse wildlife including mule deer, elk, foxes, coyotes, bears, beavers, golden eagles, hawks, and songbirds. Binoculars are available to borrow for wildlife observation. During summer, the trail showcases wildflowers, while winter provides opportunities to identify animal tracks. From spring through fall, visitors can explore an organic teaching garden that demonstrates flowering, pollination, and local food cultivation with native plants, traditional herbs, and cultivated species arranged around a walking labyrinth.

Hallam Lake houses resident raptors including a Great Horned Owl and Red-tailed Hawk, both native birds that cannot be released due to injuries preventing flight or hunting. These birds can be viewed during regular business hours, and a Bird of Prey program runs Monday through Saturday at 4 PM during summer months. The preserve operates as a permitted raptor rehabilitation center. An indoor lab features additional animals including a bearded dragon, ball python, salamander, and cockroaches, with naturalists available for introductions. The riparian ecosystem supports active wildlife throughout the day, with swallows and American dippers feeding during daylight hours and foxes, bears, deer, and beavers appearing near sunset.

Services: Nature Trail Access, Wildlife Observation, Raptor Viewing, Bird of Prey Programs, Educational Programs, Organic Garden Tours, Indoor Animal Exhibits, Guided Naturalist Services, Environmental Education, Binocular Loans
Category: Outdoor
Features: Family, Hiking, Nature
Address: Hallam Lake 100 Puppy Smith ST. Aspen, CO, 81611
Directions: View on Google Maps