Explore Vails Nature Discovery Center

Experience the Rocky Mountains Through the Eyes of a Naturalist

Many visitors arrive in Vail expecting incredible mountain scenery, hiking trails and world-famous ski slopes. What surprises many first-time travelers is that one of the most rewarding experiences on Vail Mountain isn’t an adrenaline-filled activity at all—it’s slowing down long enough to truly understand the incredible ecosystem that surrounds you.

The Nature Discovery Center offers visitors the opportunity to discover the fascinating wildlife, plants, forests and alpine environment that make the Colorado Rocky Mountains one of North America’s most unique natural landscapes. Operated in partnership with Walking Mountains Science Center, this educational center welcomes visitors of all ages and combines interactive exhibits with guided outdoor adventures led by experienced naturalists.

Whether you’re traveling with children, enjoy photography, love wildlife or simply want to learn more about the mountains you’re exploring, the Nature Discovery Center is one of the most rewarding places to visit during your stay in Vail.

Where Is the Nature Discovery Center?

One of the most unique aspects of the Nature Discovery Center is that reaching it is part of the adventure.

Unlike a traditional museum located in town, the center sits near the top of Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19) in Lionshead, adjacent to Eagle’s Nest. Your visit begins with a scenic gondola ride that carries you high above forests, ski runs and mountain valleys before arriving at one of the most beautiful viewpoints on Vail Mountain. During the ride, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Gore Range and the surrounding Rocky Mountains, making the journey itself an unforgettable experience.

For many visitors, especially those seeing the Rockies for the first time, this gondola ride becomes one of the highlights of their vacation.

A Small Center Filled with Big Discoveries

Although the Nature Discovery Center is housed inside a cozy mountain yurt, don’t let its size fool you.

Inside you’ll find fascinating exhibits explaining how wildlife survives at elevations above 10,000 feet. Interactive displays introduce visitors to many of Colorado’s native animals, including black bears, Canada lynx, ravens, pine martens, weasels, marmots and numerous bird species that call these mountains home. You’ll also learn about alpine forests, wildflowers, insects, mountain geology and the delicate ecosystems that have evolved over thousands of years in this high-altitude environment.

Children especially enjoy the hands-on exhibits, while adults often discover fascinating facts they never expected to learn during a mountain vacation.

Guided Nature Hikes

One of the biggest reasons visitors return to the Nature Discovery Center year after year is its free guided nature hikes.

Instead of simply walking through the forest on your own, you’ll be accompanied by knowledgeable naturalists who explain everything happening around you.

As you explore mountain trails, you’ll discover:

Native wildflowers
Medicinal plants
Animal tracks
Bird habitats
Forest ecology
Alpine ecosystems
Local geology
Colorado’s changing seasons

Rather than memorizing scientific facts, guides help visitors understand how every part of the mountain ecosystem works together.

You’ll begin noticing details that most hikers simply walk past. These guided hikes are suitable for families, couples and anyone interested in learning more about the natural world. Easy and moderate guided hikes are typically offered during the summer season.

Snowshoe Tours During Winter

When winter transforms Vail Mountain into a snowy wonderland, the Nature Discovery Center offers a completely different experience.

Guided snowshoe tours take visitors into peaceful snow-covered forests where naturalists explain how wildlife survives Colorado’s long winters. As you quietly walk through the snow, you’ll learn how animals adapt to freezing temperatures, identify tracks left by local wildlife and discover why alpine ecosystems remain active even beneath deep snow. The peaceful silence of the winter forest creates an unforgettable experience that’s very different from spending the day on the ski slopes.

For many visitors, these snowshoe tours become one of the most memorable activities of their winter vacation.

Perfect for Families

If you’re traveling with children, the Nature Discovery Center offers one of the best educational experiences in Vail.

Kids naturally become curious about the mountains around them.

Questions such as:

“What animal made those footprints?”

“Do bears really live here?”

“Why are the trees different from the ones at home?”

are answered through interactive exhibits and engaging conversations with experienced educators.

Instead of simply reading signs, children touch, observe, explore and ask questions throughout the visit.

It’s an experience that combines education with outdoor adventure, making learning fun for every member of the family.

Wildlife You May Discover

The Rocky Mountains surrounding Vail are home to an incredible variety of wildlife.

Depending on the season, visitors may learn about or even spot:

Black Bears
Canada Lynx
Mule Deer
Elk
Marmots
Pine Martens
Red Foxes
Ravens
Golden Eagles
Mountain Bluebirds
Snowshoe Hares

Although wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, understanding the habitats and behaviors of these animals makes every hike much more exciting.

Suddenly every sound in the forest becomes something worth noticing.

Why First-Time Visitors Love It

Many travelers arrive in Vail expecting only outdoor recreation.

They leave realizing they also learned something fascinating about the mountains themselves.

The Nature Discovery Center transforms an ordinary hike into an educational experience.

Instead of simply admiring beautiful scenery, visitors begin understanding:

Why wildflowers bloom at different elevations.
How forests recover after avalanches.
Why certain animals are active only during specific seasons.
How climate influences mountain ecosystems.
Why Colorado’s alpine environment is so unique.

That deeper appreciation often changes the way people experience the rest of their vacation.

Helpful Tips Before You Visit

Before visiting the Nature Discovery Center, keep these recommendations in mind:

Purchase a Scenic Gondola Ticket during summer or use a valid lift ticket or season pass during winter to access Eagle Bahn Gondola.
Wear comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots.
Bring a reusable water bottle.
Apply sunscreen before boarding the gondola.
Wear layered clothing since temperatures are usually cooler at the top of the mountain.
Bring a camera or binoculars if you enjoy wildlife photography.

Because weather conditions can change quickly at higher elevations, having a light jacket is always recommended, even during summer.

Great Divide Transportation Makes Your Mountain Adventure Easy

Your journey into Colorado’s natural world begins long before you reach the mountain.

At Great Divide Transportation, we provide luxury private transportation from Colorado’s major airports directly to Vail, allowing you to begin your vacation comfortably and stress-free. Instead of navigating unfamiliar mountain highways, renting a vehicle or driving through Interstate 70 traffic, you can simply relax while our professional chauffeurs safely transport you to your hotel, resort or vacation rental.

Whether you’re planning to visit the Nature Discovery Center, ride the gondolas, hike alpine trails or simply explore everything Vail has to offer, we make arriving in the mountains easy.

Airports We Proudly Serve

Great Divide Transportation offers private luxury transportation from:

Denver International Airport (DEN)
Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE)
Centennial Airport (APA)
Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC)
Colorado Springs Airport (COS)
Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN)
Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT)
Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL)
Private Jet FBOs throughout Colorado

Our experienced chauffeurs provide reliable door-to-door service throughout Vail, Beaver Creek, Avon and Colorado’s premier mountain destinations.

Discover the Mountains in a Whole New Way

The Nature Discovery Center isn’t simply another attraction on your vacation itinerary.

It’s an opportunity to slow down, ask questions, explore the forests and understand the incredible natural world surrounding Vail. Whether you’re fascinated by wildlife, traveling with curious children or simply looking for a meaningful outdoor experience, this mountain-top learning center offers something every visitor can appreciate.

Begin your Colorado adventure with Great Divide Transportation, discover the beauty of the Rocky Mountains from a new perspective and create memories that extend far beyond the hiking trails.

Explore Vails Nature Discovery Center