La Junta in Otero County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Recreation on the Comanche Grassland
Photographed by Leslie Eudy
1. Recreation on the Comanche Grassland Marker
Recreation on the Comanche National Grassland
Get into the Canyons!
Vogel Canyon
Hike five trails that feature rock art and the remnants of the historic Barlow Sanderson Stage Road. Drive 13 miles south of La Junta on Hwy 109 to the well-marked trailhead parking lot (an additional 5 miles). Half-day or full-day hike.
Picket Wire Canyon
Hike, mountain bike, or horseback ride into Picket Wire Canyon. Drive 13 miles south of La Junta on Hwy 109 to the turn-off to Picket Wire Canyonlands Trailhead (an additional 17 miles). At Withers Canyon Trailhead, the Loop Trail is one-half mile long, and Picket Wire Canyon Trail is 17.6 miles long.
Explore one of the largest dinosaur tracksites in North America, made over 150 million years ago by Allosaurus (carnivore), Apatosaurus (herbivore), and other dinosaurs. This tracksite contains over 1800 footprints in 130 trackways, and shows evidence of Apatosaurus herd behavior.
Rourke Ranch National Historic District is a 1871 family-owned cattle and horse ranch that persisted for 100 years. The buildings reflect the ethnic blend of canyon settlers with Anglo and Hispanic influences.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas River Valley and in the Eastern Plains. It is also in the American Mountain West, on the Great Plains, on the Southern Plains, on the High Plains, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comancherνa, the Dust Bowl, and the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bent's Old Fort along the Santa Fe Trail (here, next to this marker); Railroads Built this Town (here, next to this marker); Explore the La Junta Region (here, next to this marker); Ranching and Farming (here, next to this marker); City of La Junta (here, next to this marker); A Cast of Colorful Characters (approx. 7.7 miles away); No Fur, No Fort (approx. 7.7 miles away); Mountain Men to Merchants (approx. 7.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Junta.
Photographed by Leslie Eudy, October 5, 2025
2. Recreation on the Comanche Grassland Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2025, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 14, 2025, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
