Colorado Canyons
National Conservation Area - Colorado
 The
Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area (NCA) contains many
nationally significant resources including outstanding scenery,
cultural and paleontological values, naturalness, recreation
values, wildlife, and geologic and scientific values. The NCA
encompasses a diverse landscape ranging from salt bush desert to
the spectacular canyons of the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness.
Canyons vary in
length from several miles to twelve miles in length and may
contain interesting side canyons. Geological features in these
canyons include spires, windows, giant alcoves and desert
patina. Canyons may reach a depth of almost 1,000 feet, forming
spectacular redrock cliffs. Spring runoff and summer
thunderstorms create glistening waterfalls and plunge pools. The
area contains the second largest concentration of natural arches
in the country.
Vegetation in
the meandering canyon bottoms include pinyon-juniper, grasses,
and cottonwoods, willow and box elder. The upland mesas contain
a dense stands of pinyon-juniper with some sagebrush parks.
Crypto biotic soils are well developed in the upland area.
Wildlife viewing may include deer, mountain lion, desert bighorn
sheep, along with golden and bald eagles.
Colorado Canyons Facts
- Location: Colorado - 10 miles west of
Grand Junction, in west central Colorado
- Size: The NCA encompasses 122,240
acres of which, 75,497 is designated wilderness and 5,180
acres in Utah
- Date: The Colorado Canyons National
Conservation Area and Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness Act of
2000 was signed into law on October 24, 2000
- Managing Agency: The Bureau of Land
Management
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