You'd never expect to find a thriving reptile sanctuary in the middle of the San Luis Valley, but that's exactly what makes this place so special. What started as a fish farm now uses its geothermal waters to house hundreds of rescued alligators, crocodiles, and other reptiles. You can get surprisingly close to the animals, hold a baby gator, and even watch the staff feed the larger residents. It's a fantastic and slightly surreal stop, especially with the stunning mountain backdrop.

Insider Tips:

• Do the hands on stuff early in your visit. The small gator holding, feeding tilapia to gators, and interactive demos can get busier later in the day with tour groups.

• Don’t skip the tilapia ponds + geothermal setup walk-through. A lot of people go straight for the gators, but the whole system is wild; geothermal water keeps the habitat warm year round, and the fish farming loop is part of the rescue ecosystem (it’s oddly fascinating once you understand it).

• Bring shoes you don’t care about. You’re outdoors around water, fish feed, dirt paths, and active animals. Your shoes will get dirty.