The Comanche National Grassland, located in Baca, Las Animas and Otero counties southeastern Colorado. The total land area of the Grassland is approximately 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 utilize 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 travelling 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
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
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
Hunting opportunities of all kinds are found on the Comanche National Grassland.
The entire Comanche offers excellent coyote, cottontail and jackrabbit hunting. Limited opportunities can be found for Merriam’s turkey, northern bobwhite, pheasant, elk, bobcat, and white-tailed deer.
Limited opportunities can be found for Merriam’s turkey, northern bobwhite, pheasant, elk, bobcat, and white-tailed deer. Picket Wire Canyon has hunting potential for deer (whitetail and mule), elk, Merriam’s turkey, quail, mourning dove, coyote, and bear. There is no overnight camping or vehicles allowed in Picket Wire Canyon, but hunting on horseback or foot can be successful.
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
Nature Viewing
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Viewing Wildlife
Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Comanche National Grassland
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