Gilbert Baker Wildlife Management Area
Sioux County
Biologically Unique Landscape: Pine Ridge
Looking for Butterflies: This, along with Indian Cave State Park, is one of the premier butterfly habitats in the state. Nearly 40 Nebraska Natural Heritage Program listed butterflies have been found here. While other area forests have suffered from devastating wildfires this area and it’s Ponderosa Pine forests have remained intact along with many butterfly species affiliated with it.
Special Instructions: There is a entrance to the property and a primitive campground on the west side of Monroe Canyon Road about 6 miles north of Harrison. From there restricted roads at the north and south ends of the campground lead to excellent butterfly viewing.
Links for More Information: https://visitnebraska.com/harrison/gilbert-baker-wma
Other sites nearby: Fort Robinson State Park, Sowbelly Canyon/Pants Butte, Oglala National Grasslands
Butterflies Present (NENHP S Rank):
- Afranius Duskywing – S2
- Garita Skipperling – S2
- Colorado Skipper – S3
- Pahaska Skipper – S2
- Uncas Skipper – S2
- Hobomok Skipper – S3S4
- Taxiles Skipper – S2S3
- Polites
- Northern Broken Dash – S3
- Dun Skipper – S3
- Orange Roadside Skipper – S1
- Dusted Skipper – S3
- Phoebus’ Parnassian – S1
- Indra Swallowtail – S1S2
- Anise Swallowtail – S3
- Spring White – S3
- Western White – S2
- Queen Alexandra”s Sulphur – S3
- Coral Hairstreak – S3
- Striped Hairstreak – S2
- Purplish Copper – S3
- Ruddy Copper – S3
- Olive Hairstreak – S3
- Silvery Blue – S3
- Arrowhead Blue – S1
- Shasta Blue – S2
- Aphrodite Fritillary – S3
- Coronis Fritillary – S3
- Callippe Fritillary – S1
- Regal Fritillary – S3
- Anicia Checkerspot – S3
- Tawny Crescent – S1
- Gray Comma – S3
- Weidemeyer’s Admiral – S3
- Milbert’s Tortoiseshell – S3
- California ringlet – S2
- Uhler’s Arctic – S2S3
- Monarch – S2
