Located along Sheridan’s western edge, the 68-acre Gillispie Draw Natural Area protects open space, healthy wildlife habitat, and productive ranchland while giving the community a place to explore, learn, and connect with nature. Home to the a portion of Hidden Hoot Trail, the property demonstrates how conservation, recreation, and agriculture can coexist on the same landscape.

• 68 acres of permanently conserved open space
• Nearly 2 miles of Hidden Hoot Trail
• Important wildlife habitat and habitat connectivity
• Active working ranch
• Creek, reservoir, native grasslands, and mature trees

Gillispie Draw Natural Area exists because of the vision and generosity of longtime Sheridan rancher Don Roberts.

In 2025, Don donated this property and the neighboring Ridgetop Natural Area to Sheridan Community Land Trust, ensuring these landscapes would remain open, productive, and accessible for generations to come. Rather than seeing the land developed, he chose a future where wildlife habitat, working ranches, and outdoor recreation could continue side by side.

Today, every hike along Hidden Hoot Trail is part of that lasting legacy.

Gillispie Draw offers a unique mix of native grasslands, a tree-lined creek corridor, wetlands, and a reservoir that supports a wide variety of wildlife throughout the year. Whether you’re hiking, bird watching, or simply enjoying the scenery, every visit offers a chance to experience conservation in action.

Current stewardship efforts include:

• Improving wildlife habitat
• Enhancing habitat connectivity and wildlife movement
• Removing invasive plants
• Installing wildlife-friendly fencing
• Managing sustainable livestock grazing
• Partnering with researchers and conservation organizations to improve land management practices
• Interpretive signs highlight overlooked wildlife that rely on the natural area’s wetlands and others that are primarily found at night

Future improvements include expanded trail opportunities, continued habitat restoration, educational programming, and new projects that showcase innovative land stewardship while maintaining the property’s agricultural heritage.

• Help build a trail around Pollywog Pond with your gift today. Help make this trail a reality here. 
• Help plant native trees for shad so we can remove invasive Russian olives in the future. Visit the SCLT Volunteer Corner to see how you volunteer now. 
• Have an outdoor education top you would like to share with the community? Consider becoming an SCLT Discovery Session leader.

To help protect this special place:

• Stay on designated trails.
• Keep dogs on a leash.
• Respect wildlife and livestock.
• Pack out what you pack in.
• Observe temporary trail closures when posted.