Quick Tips
- Travel sections of the Santa Fe Trail
- View Bents Old Fort Historic site
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 130"-150" | 160"+ |
| Antelope | 65"-75" | 75"+ |
On The Ground
Southeast of La Junta are vast canyonlands created by the Purgatoire River. Mule deer, white tails, antelope and a few elk frequent the canyons as well as Comanche National Grassland.
Before applying for any tag, get landowner permission. The Oxbow State Wildlife Area provides access to Arkansas River.
Terrain
Open prairie and broad flats climbs to rolling hills, long arroyos, draws, steep plateaus, deep canyons and wide valleys carved by Purgatoire River.
Roughly 485 square miles
15.9% public land
Elevation from 3,901-4,790 feet.
Vegetation
A large expanse of shortgrass prairie with areas of sagebrush, yucca, prickly cactus, pinion/juniper and agricultural crops is present. Cottonwoods line creeks and river bottoms.
Access
Comanche National Grassland, Timpas Unit consists of 23,000 acres south of La Junta east of Colorado Route 109. Purgatoire River 960 acres, take Colorado Route 101 south of La Animas connecting County Road DD.
Oxbow 400 acres, US Highway 50 east of La Junta and north on County Road 36
Setchfield 2,438 acres, south of Las Animas to County Road 11
Higbee Canyon 640 acres, south of La Junta on Colorado 109 to County Road 804
Camping and Lodging
John Martin State Park open is all year long with over 100 RV and tent camping sites. La Junta provides motels, restaurants, gas and diesel and medical facilities, while Las Animas provides hospital, food and gas.
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