Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area is a wilderness study area characterized by its rugged canyons and gently sloping plateaus. The landscape features the dramatic 2,000-foot-high face of the Book Cliffs, along with major canyon systems like Main Canyon, Coal Canyon, Cottonwood Canyon, and Spring Canyon. This diverse terrain, marked by sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, and unique geological formations such as natural bridges and hoodoos, provides a setting for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, jogging, and road cycling. It is also…
19
Routes
5
(8)
Average rating
316
People visited

5.0
(1)
46
hikers
5.67km
02:25
510m
510m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
14
hikers
14.3km
06:18
420m
420m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(2)
14
hikers
13.5km
04:49
410m
410m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(1)
5
hikers
7.47km
02:02
110m
110m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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14
riders
87.2km
05:11
650m
650m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
17.5km
01:01
90m
90m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8.81km
00:53
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

69.2km
04:13
640m
640m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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10
runners
5.67km
01:07
510m
510m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

18.7km
02:20
210m
210m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

14
runners
7.10km
01:04
230m
230m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4
runners
5.66km
00:35
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
59
riders
68.8km
03:18
150m
150m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

27
riders
56.9km
02:52
120m
120m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

18
riders
110km
05:49
1,980m
1,980m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

16
riders
23.4km
01:22
60m
60m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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The Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area features rugged canyons and gently sloping plateaus. It is defined by the 2,000-foot-high face of the Book Cliffs and major canyon systems like Main Canyon and Coal Canyon. The area is home to wild horse herds and ancient Fremont Culture sites.
Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area offers opportunities for hiking, touring cycling, jogging, and road cycling. The diverse terrain supports unconfined recreation and solitude. Komoot lists 4 routes across these sports, with an average rating of 5.0 stars.
Yes, the area is well-suited for hiking, with diverse terrain and numerous canyons. Popular routes include the Coal Canyon trail, a moderate 4.6-mile (7.4 km) path, and the Main Canyon trail, an 11.1-mile (17.9 km) route. More information can be found in the Hiking in Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area guide.
The area offers routes for touring cycling and road cycling, with terrain suitable for mountain biking in some areas. The Cycling in Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area guide provides an overview. Specific guides include Traffic-free bike rides and Road Cycling Routes.
Yes, the area is suitable for jogging and running. The diverse terrain, including canyons and plateaus, provides varied running experiences. Consult the Running Trails in Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area guide for more details.
The Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area features impressive geological formations. Visitors can discover natural bridges and hoodoos, particularly in areas like Spring Creek Canyon. The dramatic 2,000-foot-high face of the Book Cliffs also provides significant vistas.
Yes, the Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area is one of only three areas in the United States designated to protect wild horse herds. Between 80-120 mustangs roam the more than 30,000 acres of canyons and plateaus. This offers a unique opportunity for wildlife viewing.
Beyond wild horses, the area is home to diverse wildlife. Species include mule deer, elk, mountain lions, black bears, wild turkeys, gray foxes, and coyotes. Golden eagles, rattlesnakes, and collared lizards are also present, making it suitable for wildlife observation.
The Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area has been explored by more than 500 visitors on komoot. There are 4 routes available across various sports, which have received an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars from 9 ratings.
Komoot offers several guides for the area, including Hiking in Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area, Cycling in Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area, and Running Trails in Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area. There are also guides for specific cycling types like Traffic-free bike rides and Road Cycling Routes.
The Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The official website for information is blm.gov/visit/little-book-cliffs-wsa. The BLM Grand Junction Field Office can be reached at +1-970-244-3000.

