· Comanche

Picture Canyon

Like most of the southeast’s remote canyons, Picture Canyon has abundant pinyon-juniper woodland and rimrock/cliff habitat. In addition to those, there are some excellent permanent springs, with some associated riparian growth, and some high-quality yucca grassland. A nice system of trails allows access to all these habitats, and a wide array of great scenery. Look for Rufous-crowned and Cassin’s Sparrows, Eastern Phoebe, and Long-billed Curlew (on the drive in) and wild turkeys; the rimrock has a few owl nests in the rock and harbors rattlesnakes, and some of the semi-permanent pools along the intermittent streams are home to the striking black-and-yellow tiger salamander.

County: Baca

Attractions: Some spectacular pictographs and great scenery

Habitat: Cliff Face, Cholla, Yucca, Lowland Riparian, Grassland/Prairie, Pinyon-Juniper Forest

Directions: Go south on US 287/385 to CR M (18 miles south of Springfield) and go west on CR M. Go eight miles to GR 18 and turn left (south). About eight miles south of CR M, where the road begins to curve left, turn right onto the entrance road to Picture Canyon (signed).

Delorme: 101 D6-D7
Roads of Colorado: 158 A3-A4

Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours:
Ownership: USFS
Admission: Free

Restrictions: Beware of rattlesnakes

Parking: Gravel parking area
Lodging: Tent camping in the parking area only

Other Wildlife: herps

Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Easy walking trail

Elevation: 4350

Latitude: 37.012317
Longitude: -102.744623

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Contact Info:

Contact the Forest Service Office in Springfield for more information:
Comanche National Grassland
Carrizo Unit
P.O. Box 127, 27204 Highway 287
Springfield, CO 81073
(719) 523-6591