When traveling to the Little Bookcliffs area on Winter Flats Road, you will drive through an extensive area of colorful sculptured badlands. A spectacular view of the Grand Valley can be seen from the cliff line that forms the southwestern boundary of the wild horse range. Don't miss the "Goblins" along Dry Fork Road.

There is a monument to Velma B. "Wild Horse Annie" Johnston at Indian Park. With the passage of the 1959 "Wild Horse Annie Act", thousands of Americans became aware of the plight of the west's wild horses and burros. In 1971, Congress passed the "Wild, Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act" because of Velma's continued efforts and school age children writing to their congressmen. Little Bookcliffs is one of three herd management areas dedicated to the memory of "Wild Horse Annie".

Today the majority of horses within the Little Bookcliffs area are descendants of horses escaped or abandoned by local ranchers, migrating farmers and miners. There are some horses whose ancestry has been traced back to indian ponies, and small amounts of Spanish barb blood can be found in present day herds.

Go approximately 20 miles west of DeBeque. Access through DeBeque on Dry Fork Road or Winter Flats. For additional maps or further information about this area, contact the Grand Junction Resource Area Office.

The herd runs from 110 to 120 head. Bays, blacks and sorrels are dominant. Mixtures of grays, pintos, roans, buckskins, browns and palominos can also be seen.

The horses are typically 13 to 15 hands high; weight 800 to 900 pounds

This wild horse area encompasses 30,261 acres of rugged canyons and plateaus. Elevations vary from 5,000 to 7,421 feet. Climate is semiarid; droughts are common.

Wintering mule deer, elk, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, bald eagles, hawks, owls, peregrine falcons and golden eagles can be found in the Little Bookcliffs.

Beware of frequent summer thunderstorms that can result in flash flood conditions. Roads become slick from rain storms and impassable, even with chains.

Coal Canyon and Main Canyon are excellent viewing areas. Gates into Coal Canyon are closed to vehicles from December 1 through May 31 during the foaling season and for wildlife protection.

Park your vehicles and horse trailers at the Coal Canyon Trailhead entrance. You will probably see wild horses around that vicinity, in the North Soda area and around Indian Park. Please keep a respectful distance from the horses so as not to disturb them.

There are many hiking, horseback and four-wheel drive trails in this area. You must stay on designated roads and trails to protect fragile vegetation and soils, especially in the Wilderness Study Area.

• Wild Horses, Monitoring a Western Legacy

  • USGS' presentation on the wild horses.

• Wild Horse Resources

  • Information resources for several herds

• Little Bookcliffs

  • Cowilderness Network's presentation on the HMA.

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This is not a BLM operated or BLM sponsored site. It is run by private wild horse and burro enthusiasts. We are thankful to the BLM for providing the information which is presented here.

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