Southwest of La Junta portions of Comanche National Grassland can be found that provide access to thousands of acres of canyonlands. Private ranches hold a significant amount of land in the southwest portion of Purgatoire Canyon.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife estimates the Purgatoire herd to be close to 275 bighorns. Bighorns are breeding during this season. Glass for bands of ewes and wait until rams show up. Weather conditions can change rapidly and are important to a successful hunt in this area.

Purgatoire and Chacuaco are two wide, steep canyons created by the Purgatoire River and Chacuaco Creek. Many other rocky, rugged and steep canyon areas connect to these two canyons. These areas are surrounded by tens of thousands of acres of open prairie steep plateaus, flat top mesas, arroyos and isolated buttes.

Vast areas of shortgrass prairie made up of buffalo and blue grama grasses, pinyon/juniper, sagebrush, yucca, prickly cactus, sumac, mountain mahogany, willow, box elder, salt cedar and cottonwoods are found along creek bottoms.

Trinidad and La Junta provide a wide variety of motels, cafes, restaurants, medical facilities and 24/7 gas and diesel. Motels in Trinidad include Trails End, La Quinta, Quality Inn. La Junta has Mid-Town, Stagecoach and Hampton Inn. Restaurants in Trinidad include Black Jacks, Rino’s Italian, Wonderful House Chinese. La Junta also has many restaurants including Rattlesnake Bar & Grill, Mexico City Café, Boss Hogg’s Restaurant and Saloon.

Large private ranches in the southern portion of the unit join with Comanche National Grassland to make over 11,000 acres along the Purgatoire River Canyon. High winds and blowing snow can create blizzard conditions as early as late November or early December. County and secondary dirt roads become slick or impassable in wet weather. Four-wheel-drive is recommended. During thunderstorms use caution crossing low areas or dry washes.