Little Bookcliffs Wild Horse Range

Hiking and Biking: The Little Bookcliffs Wild Horse Area is one of only three areas in the western United States set aside for wild horse herds. There are more than 30,000 acres of rugged canyons and plateaus northwest of Palisade where about 80-120 mustangs roam. The area is open to vehicles, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and hikers. However, the area is not easy as most of the interior is essentially trackless with some primitive four-wheel drive roads. The best season for riding or hiking is May to September.

The Rapid Creek Trail and Horsemountain Trail loop east and southeast of Palisade. Both involve steep, rocky ascents at the base of the Grand Mesa. Coal Canyon Road can be accessed from the I-70 Cameo Exit and ridden for the first 3 1/2 miles. You may see some wild horses along this southern margin of the Little BookCliffs Wild Horse Range. From Coal Canyon, a singletrack climbs around the west end of Mount Lincoln. Pause at the rim for a beautiful view of the Grand Mesa and fruit orchards and vineyards below, and then descend along the old stagecoach road north of I-70.