Pawnee National Grassland
The Pawnee National Grassland in northeast Weld County, Colorado is part of the Roosevelt National Forest and has the accessible Trail of the Mourning Dove and a Birdwalk in the Crow Valley Recreation Area. The grassland is a part of the short grass prairie and a fine location for spring wildflowers and for birding. Wildlife includes pronghorn, bison, prairie dogs and many others. The Buttes, which rise about 300 feet above the plains are erosional remnants of the High Plains. They consist of the soft clay-rich Brule formation overlain by the sandstone and conglomerates of the Pawnee Creek and the Arikaree formations.
Be sure to call ahead to learn of trail conditions and of seasonal closures. Here is the website. Phone 970-834-9270 Map
Crow Valley Recreation Area
Trail of the Mourning Dove Short trail from the Steward J. Adams Education Site along the usually dry Crow Creek”
Birdwalk Trail Short walk across a dry creek bed and into a cottonwood stand.
Pawnee Buttes Trail
1.5 mile trail to the first butte and 2.1 mile to “slightly beyond the eastern base of the western Pawnee Butte. The trail is rated easy or “easy to intermediate” depending on which reference you find. Here is a detailed description. Call ahead to learn more.