Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range

About

The Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range is a 36,000-acre Bureau of Land Management area located in Mesa County, approximately eight miles northeast of Grand Junction and near Clifton. It is one of only three ranges in the United States designated specifically to protect wild horses under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The terrain consists of gently sloping plateaus, sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and four major canyon systems: Main, Coal, Cottonwood, and Spring. The area is accessible year-round via gravel roads, with the primary Coal Canyon Trailhead located off I-70 at Exit 46. A second access point exists via Winter Flats Road from De Beque, though this route is typically impassable in winter. The range supports a wild horse population that fluctuates between 90 and 220 animals, alongside other wildlife including mule deer, elk, mountain lions, and black bears. Hiking trails within the range are designed for foot and horse travel, with nine identified paths ranging from one to five miles in length. The elevation gain on these trails varies between 439 and 2,221 feet. Parking is available at the trailheads, and pets are permitted. The moderate difficulty level makes it suitable for a typical two-hour hike during the fall season, from September through November.