Comanche National Grassland
The Comanche National Grassland is located in Baca, Las Animas and Otero counties southeastern Colorado and mnages about 443,784 acres. The Comanche National Grassland was created in 1960 when the federal government placed the recovered lands of the dust bowl under the management of the USDA Forest Service. The Comanche National Grassland is managed to conserve and use the natural resources of grass, water and wildlife habitat and to protect prehistoric and historic areas.
The grassland has many stories to tell, from dinosaurs roaming the ancient shoreline of a vast lake 150 million years ago to Mexican and American traders traveling the Santa Fe National Historic Trail 150 years ago.
At a Glance
Operational Hours: | Comanche National Grassland, Carrizo and Timpas Unit office hours: 8am-12pm and 1pm-4:30pm Springfield: 719-523-6591 La Junta: 719-384-2181 |
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Area Amenities: |
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Usage: | Medium-Heavy |
Busiest Season: | Summer |
Water: | No Potable Water |
Restroom: | Vault toilet |
Activities
Mountain Biking
Areas for Mountain Biking at Comanche National Grassland
Road Cycling
Group Camping
Dispersed Camping
Areas for Dispersed Camping at Comanche National Grassland
Lake and Pond Fishing
Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Comanche National Grassland
Day Hiking
Areas for Day Hiking at Comanche National Grassland
- Carrizo Canyon Picnic Area
- Picket Wire Canyonlands
- Withers Canyon Trailhead
- Picket Wire Corrals Interpretive Site
- Picture Canyon
- Arch Rock Trail
- Rourke Ranch National Historic Site
- Sierra Vista Interpretive Site
- Vogel Canyon Picnic Area
- Vogel Canyon Trail System
Backpacking
Areas for Backpacking at Comanche National Grassland
Horse Riding
Horseback riding is allowed on the Comanche National Grassland. Any hay or feed brought onto the Comanche National Grassland must be certified weed free. Large groups may be required to obtain a special use permit. Please contact your local Forest Service office for more details.
Areas for Horse Riding at Comanche National Grassland
Big Game Hunting
HUNTING
- Hunting opportunities of all kinds are found on the Comanche National Grassland. The Grasslands are divided into two separate Units: the Carrizo Unit covers the far Southeastern portion of Colorado and is close to the towns of Springfield, Kim, Campo and Pritchett; the Timpas Unit is found between La Junta and the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. There are slight differences in the types of habitat these two Units provide, so hunting opportunities can differ.
- Mule deer can consistently be found in sand sagebrush and canyon habitats throughout the Comanche; while pronghorn hunting is ideal in the shortgrass prairie on the western portion of the Carrizo Unit and throughout most of the Timpas Unit.
Small Game Hunting
Game Bird/Waterfowl
- Hunting opportunities of all kinds are found on the Comanche National Grassland. The Grasslands are divided into two separate Units: the Carrizo Unit covers the far Southeastern portion of Colorado and is close to the towns of Springfield, Kim, Campo and Pritchett; the Timpas Unit is found between La Junta and the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. There are slight differences in the types of habitat these two Units provide, so hunting opportunities can differ.
- Mourning dove hunting can be good to excellent on the Comanche National Grasslands. The highest dove densities are generally found in the sand sagebrush habitats on the Carrizo Unit or throughout the Timpas Unit, depending upon the timing and amount of precipitation.
- Scaled quail populations vary from excellent to poor, depending upon annual precipitation. Sand sagebrush and cholla cactus are the best habitat types to look for these birds.
- Some years, the possibility of jump shooting early-season ducks and teal is tremendous if the playas contain water. Playas are slight depressions in the prairie that gather rainfall temporarily and are crucial stopovers for waterfowl and shorebirds during migration.
- Limited opportunities can be found for Pheasant and Merriam’s turkey.
Trapping
Viewing Wildlife
Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Comanche National Grassland
- Carrizo Auto Tour Interpretive Site
- Carrizo Canyon Picnic Area
- Withers Canyon Trailhead
- Picket Wire Corrals Interpretive Site
- Picture Canyon
- Arch Rock Trail
- Rourke Ranch National Historic Site
Viewing Plants
Areas for Viewing Plants at Comanche National Grassland
- Carrizo Auto Tour Interpretive Site
- Carrizo Canyon Picnic Area
- Picket Wire Corrals Interpretive Site
- Picture Canyon
- Arch Rock Trail
- Rourke Ranch National Historic Site
Viewing Scenery
Areas for Viewing Scenery at Comanche National Grassland
OHV Road Riding
Please refer to current MVUM (Motor Vehicle Use Map) for allowed uses on individual Forest Service roads.
OHV Trail Riding
Target Shooting
Visitor Programs
Visitor information is available at the Carrizo Unit office located at: 27204 Hwy 287, Springfield, CO 81073.
Visitor information is available at the Timpas Unit office located at: 1420 East 3rd Street, La Junta, CO. 81073
Interpretive Areas
Areas for Interpretive Areas at Comanche National Grassland
Picnicking
Areas for Picnicking at Comanche National Grassland
- Carrizo Auto Tour Interpretive Site
- Carrizo Canyon Picnic Area
- Picket Wire Corrals Interpretive Site
- Picture Canyon
- Arch Rock Trail
- Vogel Canyon Picnic Area
Group Picnicking
Scenic Driving
Areas for Scenic Driving at Comanche National Grassland