If you ask me, one of the coolest parts of Colorado (aside from the mountains, ample outdoor recreation, and epic sports teams, of course) is the fact that we are rich in history. From dinosaurs to pre-historic peoples to mining, there is no shortage of places and artifacts to check out, including this hidden Centennial State trail that leads to an unforgettable archaeological treasure:
Welcome to La Junta, a small town in southeast Colorado that is home to Bent’s Old Fort, Otero Junior College, and…
Wikimedia Commons
…the fascinating Picketwire Canyon!
Flickr/mark byzewski
Also known as the Purgatoire River Track Site, Picketwire Canyon boasts more than 100 dinosaur track-ways.
Flickr/mark byzewski
There are 1,500 individual footprints, making it the largest track site for dinosaurs in the country!
TripAdvisor/funtobeme
In addition to the tracks and pristine prints, Picketwire features artifacts from both the prehistoric peoples and early settlers/explorers, as well as must-see dinosaur fossils.
Flickr/mark byzewski
As if the tracks, fossils, and artifacts were not reason enough to visit, Picketwire Canyon is also home to a nearly 17-mile out-and-back trail, which passes through the previously mentioned sites and well as the scenic Comanche National Grassland.
Flickr/IIP Photo Archive
TripAdvisor/409josephk For more information about the Picketwire Canyon, including current conditions and closures, please visit the National Forest Service website.
Have you visited the Picketwire Canyon to check out the dino tracks? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to share any photos you snapped on your trip on our Colorado Nature Lovers Facebook group!
Wikimedia Commons
Flickr/mark byzewski
TripAdvisor/funtobeme
Flickr/IIP Photo Archive
TripAdvisor/409josephk
For more information about the Picketwire Canyon, including current conditions and closures, please visit the National Forest Service website.
If you want to discover even more to do in La Junta, check out our previous article: This One Small Colorado Town Has More Outdoor Attractions Than Any Other Place In The State.
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