Experience scenic horseback riding vacations, day horseback trail rides, camping, guided utah fly fishing in the uinta mountains and book cliffs big game hunting. Fly fishing there are over 22 catch and release ponds on the property. From camping and picnicking to fishing and hiking, colorado state parks in the. Approximately 80 to wild horses roam the 36,000 acres of rugged canyons and plateaus. Although remote, youll find a trip to the cliffs will provide a wide array of outdoor activities. Flying j outfitters offers the best of utah wilderness adventures with expert wranglers and nature guides coupled with amazing utah fly fishing.
These four larger systems are also accompanied by many smaller side canyons. The area begins about 50 air miles south of vernal, utah and extends south to the book cliffs divide. The book cliffs stretch for almost 200 miles from eastern utah into western colorado. Gil folsoms indispensible guide takes the guesswork out of sorting through the confusing jumble of campground lists found in most guides. 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. The little book cliffs wild horse range, located just eight miles northeast of grand junction, is one of only three ranges in the united states designated to protect and manage wild horses on public lands.
Colorado river cutthroats returned to the book cliffs. A page out of the book cliffs july 18, 2019 the timesindependent. Book a two to fourhour guided wild horse sanctuary ride with rimrock adventures to explore the desert landscape and see herds of wild horses in their natural habitat. When you come to the dirt road continue another mile until you see a large brown sign and multiple pull offs. Whether fly fishing or other, novice or pro, colorado provides you with the chance for about 35 species of both warm and coldwater fish. Colorado campgrounds and rv parks that have fishing. 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. Rock climbers enjoy the solid rocky cliffs of the canyon and fly fishermen find abundant catches in.
The area is specifically designated for wild horses, so wild horse habitat is the primary concern here. For about 200 miles this escarpment extends from where the colorado river descends south through debeque to price canyon near price, utah. Lavern m johnson park, in the heart of lyons, colorado sits at an elevation of 5,370 feet, is bounded on three sides by the north st. The agencys grand junction field office is seeking public comments on an environmental assessment evaluating using bait and water to attract and corral wild horses in the little book cliffs herd. Map is useful for ohv use, and colorado hunting units 84, 85, 128, 3, 4, and 5. The river empties into the arkansas river at the town of nathrop, colorado. The book cliffs area is an exceptional trophy elk and mule deer unit. In the white river valley, nestled alongside the book cliffs mountains and among the mesas of the high desert of northwest colorado, the small community of rangely offers a unique lifestyle and business opportunities for those seeking an escape from the city. The book cliffs are a series of desert mountains and cliffs in western colorado and eastern utah, in the western united states. Our expert wranglers and guides at flying j outfitters will make your utah wilderness adventures unforgettable. City, state or zip code national park, national forest, state park campground name.
The wild horse area is characterized by four major canyon systems falling to gentle sloping plateaus covered in sagebrush and pinon juniper. Sep, 2019 7 colorado adventures you didnt know about. From camping and picnicking to fishing and hiking, colorado state parks in the grand junction area offers plenty of amenities and activities for everyone. Spillway campground is perched along the south platte river near the base of the dam of eleven mile reservoir. The uintah and ouray indian reservation is on the west side of the bookcliffs. Fishing lake at robb state park, fruita check out tripadvisor members 1,990 candid photos and videos of james m. Cross the colorado river and drive past the public service power plant. These isolated cliffs are uniquely beautiful and a worldrenowned hunting destination and outdoor recreation area. The wild horse area is characterized by four major canyon systems falling to gentle sloping plateaus covered in. Itty bitty lakes is an old fashioned campground on highway 50 and the arkansas river in bighorn sheep canyon. Colorado gay dude ranch adventure tour he travelhe travel. Use our interactive maps to find public lands sites, information, books and maps.
Cpw issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high priority wildlife. In the remote eastern part of the state, the 2000foot cliffs will astound you when you first see them. The float is leisurely with only class i and in some water conditions class ii rapids making it ideal for kayaks, rafts, or canoes. Both southern uintah county and northern grand county are. Blm proposes local wildhorse roundups western colorado.
Apr 10, 2009 moabs best panorama is at dead horse point state park, where the rising sun ignites the multilayered 2,000foot cliffs lining the colorado river. Wild horse driving tour through the little book cliffs. Robb colorado river state park, grand junction picture. Fly fishing trips estes park colorado fly fishing fly. Grandpa clarence and ladue liked to go to colorado camping and fishing when they got a chance. To put it lightly, denver s backyard is pretty impressive. In addition to the canyons along the river, there are multiple canyons you can get out and explore on foot some containing ancient rock art. This allnew edition of the flyfishers guide to colorado covers all of the rivers and lakes of this great fishing state. A nodule where a pocket of barite and calcite crystals may have been found, in the book cliffs area. The nearby towns of woodland park or manitou springs are not at all like colorado springs if you avoid june 20 august 20 in estes park and rmnp, labor day weekend and the weekend of elk fest 927 and. Catch all 5 species of trout and earn the honor of scoring a grand slam. Colorado national monument adjoins mcinnis canyons to the east and provides additional hiking trails. Flies, access, and guides advice for the states premier rivers headwater guides. They are so named because the cliffs of cretaceous sandstone that cap many of the southfacing buttes appear similar to a shelf of books.
Camping, fishing, and boating at lathrop state park. Picture an oldschool canvas safari tent in a sprawling mountain valley, with views of the sawatch range beyond. Colorado springs is a huge city by colorado standards and can be quite crowded with tourists even more so than rmnp. The 17 best rivers and lakesand times of year, bugs to cast, and local advice to maximize your chances of landing a wild trout while flyfishing in montana. The compact campground, sitting at the southwest corner of 160acre highline lake, offers 31 shaded and grassy campsites for tents, rvs, and trailers. The 21 junipershaded sites at kayenta campground place you within a 15minute stroll of that epic view. Main canyon, coal canyon, cottonwood canyon and spring canyon. There is ample opportunity for hiking, camping, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. Apr 15, 2020 colorado springs is a huge city by colorado standards and can be quite crowded with tourists even more so than rmnp. Float the colorado river canyon among majestic red cliffs, along some of colorados best trophy trout fly fishing. 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. Colorado river cutthroats returned to the book cliffs colorado river cutthroats returned to the book cliffs.
Itty bitty lakes campground, itty bitty lakes campground. Float the colorado river canyon among majestic red cliffs, along some of colorado s best trophy trout fly fishing. 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. Moabs best panorama is at dead horse point state park, where the rising sun ignites the multilayered 2,000foot cliffs lining the colorado river. Both southern uintah county and northern grand county are included.
Maps and brochures for the book cliffs and mcinnis canyons areas are available at the grand junction blm field office, 2815 h road, 9702443000. Camping near gila cliff dwellings national monument is easy with hipcamp, where private landowners offer oneofakind camping experiences. With over 3,900 campsites, and 50 cabins and yurts located throughout the state. Lavern m johnson park, colorado camping reservations. The book cliffs trail system consists of five interconnecting trails chutes, edge loop, frontside, prime ribjoes ridge, and zippity on both single and double track. The angling region of gunnison, colorado, offers more than 1. Little book cliffs wilderness study area has 17 trails in the vicinity, including 16 hiking trails, for trail running and 14 for other activities.
The most popular trails are main canyon and spring creek. Book cliffs recreation area bureau of land management. Part of the southern edge of this wsa is dominated by the 2,000foothigh face of the book cliffs. Mount antero borders the southern side of the river, while mount princeton borders the northern side. The longest trail in little book cliffs wilderness study area is ute a wellknown trail measuring 11. Whether flyfishing or other, novice or pro, colorado provides you with the chance for about 35 species of both warm and coldwater fish. Located just above rampart reservoir in the pike national forest near colorado springs, thunder ridge campground offers an ideal base for fishing and boating on the water, which is stocked with fish by the colorado division of wildlife, as well as hiking and biking in the surrounding mountains. The uintah and ouray indian reservation is on the west side 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. Many parks also offer campsites or cabins for large groups. Colorcoded regions and practical information regarding directions, facilities, and facts about the area make planning a snap.
Grand mesa is the largest, flattopped mountain a mesa in the world, spanning 500 square miles and rising between 5,000 feet and 11,237 feet of elevation. Eldorado canyon state park colorado parks and wildlife. Mountain bike the book cliffs, north fruita desert campground. Campground amenities at many parks include restrooms, fullelectrical hookups and shower facilities. The book cliffs are one of the most recognizable landforms in western colorado and eastern utah. Little book cliffs wild horse area hma bureau of land management. Book cliffs a project involving everything from backpacks to helicopters and taking hundreds of hours to complete is almost done. Spillway campground, cripple creek, colorado rei camping. I do like mueller state park, but there is no real fishing there. The little book cliffs wilderness study area is characterized by gentlysloping plateaus, various small canyons, and four major canyon systems. Drive the frontier pathways scenic byway and visit portions of the santa fe trail. Blm site in grand junction colorado right below the bookcliff mountains. Nestled in the book cliffs above grand junction is the little book.
Grand mesa scenic byway is a scenic drive in colorado. Whitewater raft through gorgeous glenwood canyon as we cruise a 9mile stretch of the colorado river class 3 rapids. All permits must be acquired through the utah state draw. Our experienced guides will take you on a trip of a lifetime for a full day trip or an overnight trip on one of the best trout fisheries on the colorado river for big rainbows and healthy browns. 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.
Colorado river cutthroats returned to the book cliffs utah. Haviland lake campground, durango, colorado rei camping. Northern utah just north of salt lake city, davis county is known as the ultimate playground for fun, entertainment, and outdoor adventure. We specialize in trophy bull elk, mule deer, bison, bear and lion.
After breakfast, hit the parks 9 miles of mountainbike trails, which guide riders on a. Fishing lake at robb state park, fruita picture of james. Float through two beautiful canyons along the colorado river on this 26 mile float. Little book cliffs wild horse area hma bureau of land. The size of the area, and difficult terrain, can make it a very challenging place to hunt.
The bike trails can be accessed from either 18 rd or 16 rd just north of the town of fruita. Five unexpected adventures in the grand junction area. The headwaters of the river are located at the continental divide. Nearby are renowned mountain biking trails, dinosaur sites and red rock hiking.
The agency manages 42 state parks, all of colorado s wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. Colorado parks and wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. You might want to check out the rustic elegance on offer at 4 eagle ranch before you book a basic campsite or. Book cliffs overlook is a mountain biking adventure located in or near moab, ut. Best place to tent camp in colorado fishing nearby. The park and campground is managed by the town of lyons.
Campers are awarded spectacular views of the hermosa cliffs across the lake. Best camping in and near gila cliff dwellings national monument. Little bookcliffs day outings colorado west outdoors. The campground is situated on the shore of haviland lake, among shady, towering ponderosa pines, at an elevation of 8,705 feet. Mountains, rivers, lakes, desert, vineyards, canyons there is no place. Little book cliffs get a glimpse into the untamed beauty of the wild west. Many sites have lake views and easy shoreline access. Flying j outfitters has been offering utah wilderness adventure horse pack trips in the high uinta mountains and the book cliffs area of northeastern utah for 33 years. Whether youre pitching your tent or parking your rv, this guide is all youll ever need. There are three developed camppicnic grounds within the little bookcliffs. For many, camping and fishing go hand in hand, and here in colorado one can make a lifetime of memories like the ones at the bottom of this post. Purchase merchandise, topos, maps, books and public lands items. 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.
Digging into the pocket of a nodule in the book cliffs area, working hard trying not to damage any crystals. Colorado s state parks offer some of the greatest outdoor recreation in all of the u. The little book cliffs wilderness study area is characterized by gentlysloping plateaus, various. Mar 29, 2018 for many, camping and fishing go hand in hand, and here in colorado one can make a lifetime of memories like the ones at the bottom of this post. The little book cliffs wild horse range is located in northwest colorado, about 8 miles northeast of grand junction. Adventurists and families alike will find things to do here. Directions the area begins about 50 air miles south of vernal, utah and extends south to the book cliffs divide. Bookcliff campground at highline lake state park west of grand junction is one. Amenities include rv and tent camping, fly fishing, kayaking and tubing in the river and a great playground. 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. The compact campground, sitting at the southwest corner of 160acre highline lake, offers 31 shaded and grassy campsites for. Camping, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, water sports its all here along with much more, often just a short drive from denver. Flies, access, and guides advice for the states premier rivers headwater guides mayer, landon on.