Mountain bike the book cliffs, north fruita desert campground. Little book cliffs area 22 big wash round trip distance. There are markers for the little book cliffs wild horse range as you enter coal canyon road. The book cliffs area is an exceptional trophy elk and mule deer unit. The elevations listed above are a little deceiving. As mountain bikers and hikers flock to moab for their outdoor fix before winter hits, grand junction, surrounded by the grand mesa, colorado national monument, and. Robb colorado river state park travelers can visit coming from the west into colorado on interstate 70. Full information on grand junction tourist attractions. As a mecca for outdoor fun, bring your gear and plenty of sunscreen for the perfect spring day in western colorado.
The book cliffs appear mostly along the southern and western edge of the tavaputs plateau. Winding for 250 miles across utah and colorado, it is the longest continuous escarpment in the world. Digging into the pocket of a nodule in the book cliffs area, working hard trying not to damage any crystals. Things to do in grand junction, colorado thrillist. The city of grand junction is located in the grand valley at the confluence of the gunnison and colorado rivers. The little bookcliffs are north of grand junction colorado and is home to the. Bookcliff campground at highline lake state park west of grand junction is one of the best and most popular summer camping areas on colorado s western slope. Blm site in grand junction colorado right below the bookcliff mountains. Little bookcliffs day outings colorado west outdoors. The size of the area, and difficult terrain, can make it a very challenging place to hunt. Cross the colorado river and drive past the public service power plant. The area is strewn with litter of all types, but mostly the type that was used as a shooting target first.
Little book cliffs wild horse range palisade, co blm land. Valley residents and is the first section of james m. There are 33 moderate trails in grand junction ranging from 1. The tellerico trail is located in the little book cliffs wild horse range north of grand junction, colorado. This is an area of desert land high on the colorado plateau, with pinion and juniper forests on the plateau. The little book cliffs wild horse area grand junction. The distinctive formations offer plenty of hiking, camping and more. What companies run services between book cliffs, ut, usa and colorado springs, co, usa. Nestled between the book cliffs and the colorado national monument, grand junction is the largest city between denver and salt lake. You can simply use your smart phones gps to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast our community provides the best free camping information available. The little book cliffs wild horse range is located in northwest colorado, about 8 miles northeast of grand junction. Youll also find some great local park options, like little book cliffs wilderness study area or connected lakes state park.
The book cliffs are a range of eroding, steepsloping cliffs, also called escarpments. Spectacular canyons cut deep into sandstone, and even granitegneissschist, rock formations. Red rock buttes rise above the colorado river, calling to hikers, bikers, and climbers. The wild horse area is characterized by four major canyon systems falling to gentle sloping plateaus covered in sagebrush and pinon juniper. When you come to the dirt road continue another mile until you see a large brown sign and multiple pull offs. Colorado, grand junction, little book cliffs, menu. With magnificent views of both the colorado national monument and the book cliffs area, the fruita section provides exceptional camping facilities, lake. Grand junction is a topnotch adventure town outside online. Your guide to the grand junction bookcliffs rmhp blog. Grand junction and the colorado national monument have become an essential place for offroad, onroad, and bicycling events. This book contains detailed route descriptions for over 170 trails in the colorado national monument. In grand junction, they define the regions impressive skyline and offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun and recreation. Nestled in the book cliffs above grand junction is the little book cliffs wild horse area. No overnight camping is being allowed at a campground in eastern utahs book cliffs after a black bear broke into two unoccupied camping trailers.
This 36,000acre preserve is one of only three wild. You can walk up to the panel that contains a camellike figure and a handful of other figures and shapes. Stretching 200 miles from grand junction, colorado to central utah. These four larger systems are also accompanied by many smaller side canyons. The drive would be lonely but for a constant companion. This small area is known as the, little book cliffs and includes the western slopes famous peak, mt. Between price, utah and grand junction, colorado, highway 6 and interstate 70 cross 170 miles of barren and windswept terrain. Bookcliff campground and highline lake state park make perfect base camps for exploring the grand valley area, including grand junction, colorado national. Camping primitive camping is also available at the preserve. A word of warning though, this is not a pristine camping location. Geographically speaking, this area is roughly 240 miles long laterally latitude. Baryte and calcite found in concretions ranging from a half an inch to over 6 feet with some concretions in a linear configuration, up to the size of a sedansaloon.
The trail system and associated camping provide great opportunities to experience the diverse terrain of the desert environment along the base of the bookcliffs. Horseback riding and rafting are also popular pursuits in the area. Beginning in the floor of the valley the trail follows a route that leads to the top of the little books cliffs near corcoran point. Friends of the mustang friends of the mustang is a very active and sociable group of horsemen. For those with an extra day, be sure to check out nearby colorado national monument, where you can camp and hike and look back towards the book cliffs for excellent views. View grand junctions wild horses visit grand junction. From grand junction take i70 east to the cameo exit. Nov 16, 2018 grand junction is a topnotch adventure town this little crossroads in western colorado has cycling, boating, hiking, and camping to rival any of those adventure towns we usually rush to. The wild horse area is characterized by four major canyon systems falling to gentle sloping plateaus covered in. There is ample opportunity for hiking, camping, horseback riding and wildlife. Camping closed at utahs book cliffs because of bears. Monument canyon colorado national monument locally referred to as the monument is a national park service unit near the city of grand junction, colorado. Hiking trails in the grand junction, colorado and surrounding area. Many times these concretions are quite fossiliferous while others contain beautiful crystals of barite andor calcite.
The desert mountains and cliffs that make up the bookcliffs also sometimes spelled book cliffs stretch almost 200 miles across western colorado and eastern utah. Experience the majesty of the american west in grand junction, a small city in western colorado. Grand junction, colorado campground grand junction koa. This is an awesome stretch of blm land about five miles from the city with views of the book cliffs. The canyon is located a few miles east of mount garfield and is easily accessible from i70 the main interstate from denver to utah. The book cliffs are an enormous area that spans two states. See more ideas about colorado, grand junction colorado and colorado national monument. Best trails near grand junction, colorado alltrails. Just eight miles northeast of grand junction, the little book cliffs wild horse area encompasses more than 36,000 acres of rugged canyons and plateaus. Nearby, millions of acres of public lands overflow with forest and mountain campsites. Jan 09, 2016 blm site in grand junction colorado right below the bookcliff mountains. These colorado cliffs look like books on a shelf outthere. They are so named because the cliffs of cretaceous sandstone that cap many of the southfacing buttes appear similar to a shelf of books.
These colorado cliffs look like books on a shelf outthere colorado. Friends of the mustang is a very active and sociable group of horsemenhorsewomen who support the blm in the management of the wild horse management area on the little book cliffs. The 30 best campgrounds near grand junction, colorado. Cultural activities and attractions such as the worldfamous hot springs and colorado national monument are located in glenwood springs and grand junction, respectively. The bookcliffs, which border grand junction, define our regions skyline and offer plenty of. Their club is a 501 c 3 organization the is open to membership and actively seeks new members and. This is a great place to hike, especially in the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the horses are readily seen. Bookcliff campground at highline lake state park west of grand junction is one of the best and most popular summer camping areas on colorados western slope. Whether you have offroad toys, such as mountain bikes or atvs, or if you just want a relaxing evening or weekend away, youll find what youre looking for. Start checking them out and youll be out on the trail in no time.
The bookcliffs define the skyline of grand junction. Arizona 6 colorado 947 new mexico 45 utah 535 nevada 27 wildflowers. Home to wild horses, theres always something new to see or do in the bookcliffs. All permits must be acquired through the utah state draw.
In town, rv parks with full hookups sit near vineyards and golf courses. Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, weve got you covered. Other mountain bike trails in the area are kokopelli loops and tabeguache pronounced tabbywash and known as the lunch loops by people who cant pronounce it. To the east is the grand mesa with lakes, forests, a scenic byway and terrific fallcolor displays. You can take a bus from book cliffs to colorado springs via green river, ut, grand junction, co, and denver, co in around 12h 44m. The 2019 budget book cover shows apano ramic night time view of the city of grand junction looking east from the colorado national monument towards the lit. And with the exception of a few privately held parcels of land, almost 96% of the 2. A nodule where a pocket of barite and calcite crystals may have been found, in the book cliffs area. Searchable list of grand junction tour companies, guides and outfitters, rental companies and more. The compact campground, sitting at the southwest corner of 160acre highline lake, offers 31 shaded and grassy campsites for. I agree that this camping location is convenient to grand junction and that the stars and sunsets are beautiful. You can simply use your smart phones gps to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast. The little book cliffs wild horse area grand junction 2020 all. Camping, rv parks, campgrounds grand junction, colorado.
Hiking, camping, and wild horses near grand junction. I70 and u s highways 50 and 6 link grand junction with the state and the nation. The countryside near parachute and the neighboring town of rifle is also a hunters paradise. Grand junction and western colorado are home to hundreds of trails for hikers, bikers, runners, cross country skiers and snowshoers. The best grand junction camping of 2020 with prices.
The little book cliffs wild horse area, grand junction. The area is specifically designated for wild horses, so wild horse habitat is the primary concern here. You can take a bus from book cliffs to colorado springs via green river, ut. Approximately 250 yards away from the parking area, look towards the northfacing cliffs just above the road. Book cliffs to colorado springs 5 ways to travel via. Main canyon in the little bookcliffs wild horse area is a part of the main book cliffs range extending from the western colorado, to the eastern utah. The compact campground, sitting at the southwest corner of 160acre highline lake, offers 31 shaded and grassy campsites for tents, rvs, and trailers. Main canyon, coal canyon, cottonwood canyon and spring canyon. The little book cliffs wilderness study area is characterized by gentlysloping plateaus, various small canyons, and four major canyon systems. To the west is the colorado national monument, a little grand canyon of red rock formations, steep dropoffs and high vantage points, including the 23mile rimrock drive. Best trails in little book cliffs wilderness study area. Directions there are two routes to access the little bookcliffs wsa.
Grand junction and the surrounding area is full of unlimited activities and recreational opportunities perfect for a family getaway. Part of the southern edge of this wsa is dominated by the 2,000foothigh face of the book cliffs. The mancos formation and its stratigraphic equivalent to the east known as the pierre shale, often contain concretions. Grand junction is a topnotch adventure town this little crossroads in western colorado has cycling, boating, hiking, and camping to rival any of those adventure towns we usually rush to. A hidden gem hubby and i were looking for a nice easy hike since we spent a whole day on the top of the. Grand junction trails and camping guide nattana johnson, christopher schnittker on. This geological wonder cuts through beautiful desert terrain and parallels steep canyons and raging rivers, making it a yearround destination for scenic viewing, hiking, camping and rafting below. Book cliffs to colorado springs 5 ways to travel via train. See more ideas about grand junction colorado, colorado and colorado homes. Little book cliffs wild horse area hma bureau of land. In addition to privately owned facilities in the region, you will find a plethora of colorado state parks and campgrounds in the area where you can stay during your adventure.
From grand junction to reach this unique trip to the days of the old west, take interstate 70 east from grand junction and take exit 46 cameo exit. Quivering stands of aspen wave visitors on past towering peaks to the atmospheric mountain heart of top colorado snowsport destination, aspen. This geological wonder cuts through beautiful desert terrain and parallels steep canyons and raging rivers, making it a yearround destination for. The book cliffs are a series of desert mountains and cliffs in western colorado and eastern utah, in the western united states. For this site the little bookcliffs area consists of the bookcliff range from the west side of i70 near debeque colorado and stretching around to nearly 18 road near fruita colorado.
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