Vail Bighorn Preserve - Eagle Valley Land Trust

Generations of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep have called the steep cliffs of East Vail home, finding refuge on the sunny slopes that overlook the valley below. From that vantage point, they’ve watched ranchland transform into a world-class mountain community — and their habitat grow smaller in the process. Today, that landscape and its wildlife have a permanent home in the newly established Vail Bighorn Preserve, a 146.9-acre sanctuary that protects critical winter range for the Gore Range bighorn herd.

The preserve includes four parcels on the north side of North Frontage Road in East Vail, owned by the Town of Vail and now permanently protected under a single conservation easement held by Eagle Valley Land Trust. Together, these lands form a unified natural area that will never be developed, divided, or sold. Their protection ensures that the open space, scenic views, and essential wildlife habitat of East Vail are safeguarded forever.

This land provides vital winter habitat for bighorn sheep and other wildlife, including elk, deer, black bears, mountain lions, and golden eagles. It also serves as a natural buffer between the Town of Vail and the Eagle’s Nest Wilderness, maintaining a critical connection for wildlife movement and reducing the threat of habitat fragmentation. As EVLT Executive Director Jessica Foulis noted, “This is more than just land — it’s a vital lifeline for iconic wildlife.”

The creation of the Vail Bighorn Preserve is the result of collaboration and commitment — a true community conservation success story. Made possible through a partnership between the Town of Vail, Eagle County Open Space, and Eagle Valley Land Trust, this project represents the highest level of land protection available. It stands as a model for how Eagle County can continue to protect the places that matter most — ensuring that people and wildlife can thrive together for generations to come.