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Comanche National Grassland — Timpas Unit
USFSLa Junta, CO10h from Austin

Comanche National Grassland — Timpas Unit

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Accessibility baseline: Sites on this platform are reviewed for access with a standard 2WD pickup truck towing a 21-foot travel trailer unless otherwise noted below.
Fee
Free
Hookups
No hookups
Trailer
Accessible (2WD pickup + trailer)
Cell Signal
No signal
Water
Bring your own
Toilets
None
Best Season
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Reservations
None — dispersed (14-day limit)
Max Length
30 ft

Highlights

  • Purgatoire River Canyon access — North America's largest known dinosaur tracksite inside the longest unmaintained road in the USFS system
  • Lesser prairie-chicken lek habitat; Comanche-Kiowa grassland birding; unique SE Colorado shortgrass prairie
  • One of the closest CO dispersed camping options to Austin (~10 hrs via I-25)

Planning Notes

Dispersed camping prohibited inside Picketwire Canyon — camp on adjacent grassland. Watch private property boundaries. No water — bring everything. Phone signal minimal. Extreme heat in summer. La Junta (15 mi NE on US-350) for resupply.

Contact: (719) 384-2181

Always call ahead to confirm conditions, closures, and road accessibility.