Wild horses live in the Little Book Cliffs, northeast of Grand Junction

A short drive northeast of Grand Junction, the land rises into the canyons and benches of the Little Book Cliffs. Wild horses roam here, and the BLM manages this area as a wild horse range.

This is not a petting zoo or a ranch. The horses are wild and free-roaming, and the BLM manages the herd to keep it in balance with the land, sometimes by gathering and removing extra horses. The range is rugged canyon country, with hoodoos, natural bridges, and pinyon-juniper. You may also see mule deer, elk, black bear, mountain lion, golden eagles, and rattlesnakes.

Why this matters: it is a genuine chance to see wild horses close to a city, but wild animals deserve distance. Crowding or feeding wild horses is harmful and unsafe. Stay back, give them room, and let them stay wild. Watch for rattlesnakes on warm-weather hikes, and remember this is dry, exposed terrain.

For directions, viewing tips, and current management, check the BLM’s official pages for the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range before you visit.