Picketwire Canyon - North America's Largest Dinosaur Tracksite

Description: With over 1,300 dinosaur tracks to discover on a quarter mile long site along the Purgatory River, the Picketwire Canyon is an outdoor exhibition of the Jurassic Period, right here in Southeast Colorado.

Picketwire Canyon - A Southeast Colorado Treasure 

A view from the canyon edge. There is overnight camping available with sites near the canyon rim. (Photo Credit: Gannon Hart)

The view from the canyon rim is a lot to take in. If you are going to hike to the dinosaur tracks I would recommend going in the Spring or Fall. If you do go in the Summer, leaving camp at dawn is the best way to shorten your exposure during the heat of the day. We didn't leave camp until about 7:30 and got back about 3:30, but we also used a shortcut. (Photo credit: Gannon Hart)

Watch your footing while taking in the view. Picketwire Canyon is a long way from the hospital. You should also make sure to pack in plenty of water regardless of what time of year you go. (Photo credit: Gannon Hart)

The Cedar trees had a large crop of inedible berries.

This picture is taken from the start of the shortcut that connects with the main trail just before the Dolores Mission and Cemetery. Compared to starting at the trail head (Whither's Trail), it's just over a mile shorter each way to the dinosaur tracks and back. As you can see good hiking shoes or boots are a requirement, and you should be mindful of the cactus which is plentiful in the Prickly Pear, Barrel, and Walking Stick varieties.

Long before the Catholic settlement, Picketwire Canyon was well traveled and marked by local indigenous people. Watch for lots of Indian writings as they are common in the region and plentiful in the canyonlands.

A friendly reminder not to damage the ruins of the Dolores Mission and Cemetery any further. Some of the tombstones have intricate details reflecting the area's culture.

The cemetery has graves from the late 1800's, wildflowers, and reminders of times long past.

The morning light causes the walking stick cactus to cast a shadow over this tombstone.

There's not a lot of shade along the trail, but we took a moment to have a drink and cool off whenever we could find some.

You have to cross the Purgatoire River to get to most of the dinosaur tracks. They are easier to spot after a rain.

Searching for tracks in the river is easier with a big stick. As long as the dog is high energy and can handle the heat it's a great place for exercise.

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This image of this large nautilus fossil was captured while hiking in the Picket Wire Canyon lands.

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