National park · United States
Comanche National GrasslandsComanche National Grassland
Go if you want empty prairie and canyon trails: entry is free, but plan a full tank of gas and 1–2 days per unit — Picketwire Canyon for dinosaur tracks, Picture Canyon for rock art.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,793 km² (692 sq mi)692 sq mi (1,793 km²)
approximate
Established
1960
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 1,793 km² (692 sq mi)692 sq mi (1,793 km²)
- About 443,000 acres across two units, the Timpas Unit in the northwest and the Carrizo Unit along the Oklahoma border (check).
- Established
- 1960
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Comanche National Grassland is two separate units of public prairie and canyon country in southeast Colorado, run by the US Forest Service and free to enter. The Timpas Unit, northwest near La Junta, holds Picketwire Canyon and the largest set of dinosaur trackways in North America, plus Vogel Canyon and a marked Santa Fe Trail walk. The Carrizo Unit, southeast along the Oklahoma line, holds Picture Canyon, Carrizo Canyon and the sealed Crack Cave. There are no hotels, no shops and almost no fuel inside the boundary, and the public land is a patchwork mixed with private ranches, so the trip is a car-based one: fill the tank, carry the official map, and give each unit a full day.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1960.
Size and age
1,793 km² (692 sq mi)692 sq mi (1,793 km²) · national park since 1960
About 443,000 acres across two units, the Timpas Unit in the northwest and the Carrizo Unit along the Oklahoma border (check).
Why go
- Two units of public grassland and canyon country where you can walk all day and see no one.
- Picketwire Canyon holds the largest set of dinosaur trackways in North America, along the Purgatoire River.
- Rock art at Picture Canyon, Vogel Canyon and Carrizo Canyon, plus prehistoric rock shelters at Vogel.
- The Santa Fe Trail crossing in the Timpas Unit still shows wagon ruts beside a marked 3-mile walk.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, wind, short days; roads may ice
- FebCold and exposed; little shelter
- MarMild spells; Crack Cave equinox tours
- AprCool walking; wildflowers start
- MayWarm, green, best all-round month
- JunHot by midday; start at dawn
- JulPeak heat and afternoon storms
- AugHot; flash-flood risk in canyons
- SepCooling; Crack Cave equinox tours
- OctDry, clear, comfortable
- NovCrisp; quiet
- DecCold; some access roads rough
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk, mule deer and pronghornOct–Apr · Most visible at dawn and dusk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Birding (about 235 species recorded)Apr–May, Sep–Oct · Migration months bring the most variety. | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Prairie dogs and burrowing owlsApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| RattlesnakesApr–Oct · Watch your step; wear boots and long trousers. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Denver
I-25 south to La Junta, then CO-109 south into the Timpas Unit.
3.5–4 h
Open the page →
From La Junta
CO-109 south to the Timpas trailheads; the Carrizo Unit is a further drive east.
30–60 min
From Trinidad
US-160 east, which cuts through the southern part of the grassland.
1–1.5 h
From Oklahoma or Texas panhandles
US-287/385 north from Boise City, then west into the Carrizo Unit.
1.5–2.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Timpas Unit | Northwest unit: Picketwire Canyon, Vogel Canyon, Apishapa Canyon and the Santa Fe Trail section. | Free; drive to marked trailheads. |
| Carrizo Unit | Southeast unit along the Oklahoma border: Picture Canyon, Carrizo Canyon and Crack Cave. | Free; dirt roads, Crack Cave by guided tour only. |
| Picketwire Canyon | The Purgatoire River canyon and its dinosaur trackways. | Day hiking and some tours; camping not allowed inside the canyon. |
| Private ranchland | Public grassland is a patchwork mixed with private land. | No entry; carry the official map and stay on public ground. |
Sketch map
- 1La Junta · Town≈37.985, -103.544Map ↗
- 2Timpas Unit (approximate) · Gate≈37.550, -103.550Map ↗
- 3Picketwire Canyon trailhead · Trail≈37.620, -103.680Map ↗
- 4Vogel Canyon · Cave≈37.520, -103.580Map ↗
- 5Carrizo Unit (approximate) · Gate≈37.200, -102.900Map ↗
- 6Picture Canyon · Trail≈37.100, -102.800Map ↗
- 7Springfield · Town≈37.408, -102.614Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for the two units and their main trailheads, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry to the grasslands | Free | person | No entrance fee; the grassland is free to visit. |
| Primitive camping | Free | night | Dispersed tent camping is free; no facilities. |
| Official grassland map | US$10–15 | map | 2026 estimate; sold through the US Forest Service map store (check). |
| Guided Picketwire Canyon tour | US$0–20 | person | 2026 estimate; some ranger-led tours are free, others charge a small fee (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
General visiting no permit
Crack Cave permit or guide
Picketwire Canyon group tours permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Dispersed tent camping is allowed on grassland, but not inside Picketwire Canyon; camp near a trailhead instead.
- Private land
- The grassland is a patchwork with private ranches; do not cross fences or camp on private ground.
- Rock art
- Do not touch, chalk or photograph with flash at petroglyph panels; the surfaces are fragile.
- Crack Cave
- Sealed outside guided equinox tours; do not attempt to enter on your own.
- Fires
- Check current fire restrictions before lighting anything; the prairie is dry most of the year.
Where to stay
In the park
Primitive camping on the grassland
Free dispersed tent sites; no water, no hookups, no rubbish collection.
In the park
Picture Canyon trailhead campsite
Basic tent site in a sheltered part of the canyon.
Near the park
La Junta
Motels and services, the usual base for the Timpas Unit.
Near the park
Springfield
Small-town rooms and the area's only RV campsite.
Near the park
Trinidad
More lodging on I-25, about an hour from the western trails.
Safety
Heat and no shade high
Running out of fuel high
Flash floods in canyons medium
Rattlesnakes and cactus medium
Muddy dirt roads medium
No phone signal medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Trailheads are reached by dirt roads that are usually fine for normal cars in dry weather.
- The Santa Fe Trail walk and the Vogel Canyon loop are the shortest and least rough options.
- Canyon trails are sandy, uneven and unshaded; there are no paved paths or railings.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all rubbish; there are no bins in the grassland.
- Stay on marked trails at rock-art sites and never touch the panels.
- Keep to public land and respect ranch fences and gates.
- Use established campsites and keep fires out when restrictions are in force.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Comanche National Grasslands?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee and no parking charge. Dispersed tent camping is free, and the main costs are fuel, food and the official map (about US$10–15, 2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Comanche National Grasslands?
Picketwire Canyon for the dinosaur trackways, Picture Canyon for rock art and Crack Cave, Vogel Canyon for a short loop past rock shelters, and the marked 3-mile Santa Fe Trail walk in the Timpas Unit.
When is the best time to visit Comanche National Grasslands?
April, May, September and October. Summer days are hot with little shade and afternoon storms, and winter can leave dirt roads icy or muddy.
Do I need a permit or a guide?
No permit for normal visiting. Crack Cave is sealed except on guided tours around the March and September equinoxes, and some Picketwire Canyon access is ranger-led only, so check dates with the district office first.
Can I camp in the grassland?
Yes. Dispersed tent camping is free on grassland, but not inside Picketwire Canyon. There are no facilities, so bring water and pack out everything.
Can I see the dinosaur tracks without a tour?
The trackways sit along the Purgatoire River in Picketwire Canyon and are reached on foot; the walk is long and exposed. Some sections are visited on ranger-led tours only, so confirm before you go.
Is there anywhere to eat or sleep nearby?
Not in the grassland. La Junta and Springfield have the nearest rooms and food, with more lodging on I-25 near Trinidad.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go