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Canyon Pintado National Historic District

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Canyon Pintado National Historic District

Take a drive along the 15-mile stretch of road called the Canyon Pintado National Historic District. While you will see some graffiti, you will want to pay special attention to the pictographs left hundreds of years ago by Fremont and Ute Native Americans. This road is officially called Colorado Highway 139, and it is also part of the Dinosaur Diamond National Scenic Byway. It is also very near the Ashley and White River national forests and a short distance off Interstate 70.

With so many fantastic opportunities to explore nearby, you will want to spend several days in this area. Therefore, you should consider staying in BLM campgrounds. You can find Bureau of Land Management free camping facilities throughout the western United States, although some Bureau of Land Management campgrounds charge a minimal fee. They often offer limited or no services, so be aware that you may need to boondock. In exchange, you usually end up with a scenic camping site where you can stay for up to 14 days. You can search online for "BLM camping near me" to find camping options for your trip.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Three Forks #2150

This trail in White River National Forest runs between Rifle Mountain Park and the Bar HL Road, and you can hike it in either direction. If you start at the park, then the first two miles follow Rifle Creek with a gradual elevation gain. Then, the trail runs up Hoover Gulch. Summiting this trail in the fall allows you to enjoy the forest's beautiful colors, which usually peak about the end of September.

Length: 5.3 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Cherry Creek Trail #225

This trail begins off Forest Service Road 819, about one mile north of the White River National Forest boundary. It runs south until ending on County Road 245. The north end of this trail starts at 9,000 feet in elevation, and it loses most of it over the first two miles. You will love the views from the second half of this trail.

Length: 3.9 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Harpers Corner Trail

Pinon and juniper trees provide shade in the summer as you hike along Harpers Corner trail in Dinosaur National Monument. This trail offers stunning views of the Whirlpool Canyon and the Green River while staying high above it. Note that dogs are not allowed on this trail.

Length: 2 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Fishing and Boating

Kenney Reservoir is a fantastic place to go fishing because the state stocks it with about 5,000 rainbow trout each spring. This reservoir sitting on the White River is also a favorite with water skiers. The docks on the south end of the reservoir are seldom crowded and often offer the best fishing opportunities.

Climbing

Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is a great place to go climbing. Note that most of the climbs are on shale rock, so you need technical climbing skills. The Maroon Bells are the most technical climbs in this area, so if you are still building your skill level, consider climbing Pyramid Peak.

Wildlife Viewing

Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge is a terrific place to spot bald eagles and osprey in the cottonwood trees. Especially during the summer, you can often see river otters playing in the Butch Cassidy Wilderness Area. Mule deer, elk, and pronghorn often spend the winter near the Flaming Gorge Dam.

Picnicking

Dinosaur National Monument is a fantastic place for a picnic. Consider taking the scenic drive to the monument's center and eating at Echo Park on the Green River's banks. You will love using the picnic tables near Echo Park Campground as they offer great views of the river, which is a favorite spot for rafting.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

There is no organized BLM RV camping in the Canyon Pintado National Historic District. While there are no hookups, you can camp at Kenney Reservoir Campground. There are also numerous choices in White River National Forest, including Bucks Campground, Cutthroat Campground, Horse Thief Campground, Shepherds Rim Campground, and Trapline Campground. All of these campgrounds surround Trappers Lake.

Free Camping

There are many options for boondocking in the Canyon Pintado National Historic District as each of the eight pullouts can be used for camping. Another fantastic option is Irish Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern, where you will find six primitive campsites. Each of the units at Piceance State Wildlife Management Area offers free camping. It is also worth noting that the campgrounds around Trappers Lake do not charge a fee from October to May.

RV Rentals Near Canyon Pintado National Historic District Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Canyon Pintado National Historic District BLM trip

A great way to explore the Canyon Pintado National Historic District is to take the 15-mile drive starting in Rangely, Colorado. The first kiosk you come to features the Waving Hands. Experts believe that the Fremont Indians created this pictograph, which looks like two hands waving at visitors. The second one is the Kokopelli, which looks like a Hopi flute player. The Ute Native Americans created other pictographs along the road. The largest site is the East Four-Mile Draw, featuring four panels of pictographs.

As you travel along the highway, you will also see rock art. Unlike pictographs, these sites were created by placing rocks together to form pictures. Furthermore, take time to stop and explore Keely's Homestead. Walter Keely built this homestead and the cistern over 100 years ago. You will have a great time exploring these sites with your traveling companions. Before you head out on your drive, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

To keep the Canyon Pintado National Historic District clean and pristine for future generations, it's important to observe a few practical "Leave No Trace" guidelines while visiting the area. Of course, this includes properly disposing of trash and other waste, but you also want to minimize your impact on the land by sticking to established hiking trails and roads when exploring. Camping on hard-packed ground that has been used previously by other campers is always better than creating your own camping area. Finally, leave all natural objects where you find them, and never approach local wildlife.