What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Main Canyon Trail
The Main Canyon Trail is a very long out-and-back trail located within the Little Book Cliffs WSA. The route is located near the town of Mesa Lakes, CO and regularly sees horseback riders in addition to hikers. The trail features several creeks that hikers must cross and can get a bit muddy in some areas, but overall, it's a leisurely route to traverse that leads to beautiful desert scenery and views of the nearby canyons.
Length: 11.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
Coal Canyon Trail
Coal Canyon Trail is an out-and-back route that's excellent for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and off-roading. It features a river, beautiful wildflowers, gorgeous desert views, and plenty of wildlife inhabitants. Many who have visited the trail have reported spotting wild horses, desert bighorn sheep, and other cool creatures. You can bring your pups along on the trail as long as they stay leashed, and the ideal time to visit is between June and November.
Length: 5.7 miles
Intensity: Easy
Fishing & Boating
Perhaps the most popular fishing destination near the Little Book Cliffs WSA is the Grand Mesa, CO area, which features hundreds of different lakes for anglers. You can do your fishing from a boat if you like, as both motorized and non-motorized crafts are permitted on the reservoirs. When you do cast your line, you'll have a good chance of coming away with a few rainbow, brook, or cutthroat trout. Another quality nearby option is the majestic Colorado River, which also offers opportunities to catch several kinds of trout. Alternatively, you can hop in your canoe, kayak, or paddleboat and spend a pleasant afternoon on the river.
Climbing
With such a large variety of canyons and cliffs in the area, the Little Book Cliffs WSA is filled with options for those who enjoy bouldering and adventure climbing. The rock formations in the area come in all sorts of sizes and qualities, and the canyons vary greatly in size and difficulty as well.
Wildlife Viewing
Due to its impressive variety of animal inhabitants, the Little Book Cliffs WSA is a popular destination for wildlife photographers and enthusiasts. Although the WSA is perhaps most known for its population of wild horses, many other interesting species roam the area as well. You might be lucky enough to glimpse a mountain lion, wild turkey, gray fox, black bear, ringtail, chukar, collared lizard, or coyote. If you enjoy bird-watching, you'll want to keep your eyes open for great horned owls, golden eagles, and the various other raptors that live in the region.
Picnicking
The Little Book Cliffs WSA is surrounded by beautiful scenery and areas of high elevation. Although there may not be any designated picnic areas at the site, it shouldn't be too hard to find a spot with a lovely view to enjoy your meal. All you need to do is bring your own picnic blanket and whatever you plan to eat, and you'll have everything necessary for a pleasant snack or lunch in nature.
