La Junta Tarantula Fest

Each fall, male tarantulas emerge from their burrows across the vast Comanche National Grassland in a mating‑expedition that draws visitors to spot these skittering bachelors in action, typically around dusk from mid‑September through October.

La Junta’s annual Tarantula Fest takes place each late September, offering a weekend of activities including a parade, live art, vendors, educational programs, and tarantula tours to celebrate the region’s unique tarantula migration.

Discover the Tarantula Trek

Each fall, large numbers of tarantulas skitter across the landscape in La Junta and southeast Colorado. While this phenomenon has traditionally been called a migration, it is actually an annual mating ritual performed by male tarantulas who roam across the 443,000-plus acres on the Comanche National Grassland looking to mate.

For a chance to observe such extraordinary natural behavior and be a part of a truly exceptional adventure, Visit the Tarantula Trek for more information!

Get Involved

Tours Adventure out on Tarantula Tours to see the tarantulas in their natural habitat Registration opens in August.

Parade Want to be part of the annual Tarantula Fest parade? Sign up to join here.

Donate Become a Spidership Donor to support the Tarantula Fest!