An awesome hidden gem is Pawnee National Grassland located in Colorado! It really was a slice of prairie and beautiful middle America. The area is secluded and wide-open. This place is a great overnight spot and worth stopping by if you’re in the area. This part of Colorado is an area I haven’t explored much but now I will have to return to see this beautiful wide-open area.
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Pawnee National Grassland Area
The grassland is separated into 2 sections and comprises a mix of public and private land in northeastern Colorado. It’s a large tract of original short grass prairie and has a mix of ranching and oil use. The main tract of minimally touched original prairie is located around the Pawnee Buttes Trail. The nighttime views may also be interrupted by flashing lights on the many windmills in the area. I didn’t mind it.
The camping is along the Pawnee Buttes trail area and there are several pullout spots to stop and stay. I didn’t inspect any of the other camping areas because the majority of people I saw were camping on the Pawnee Buttes road. The road is single lane and rough but there were lots of people pulling trailers and made it to the main camping area. I saw about 50 people in the area camping during the night I was there.
Pawnee Buttes Trail
The Pawnee Buttes Trail is the main trail in the area which is about 2.25 miles long one-way. It’s an easy trail but there is very little shade. Be prepared for the bright sun and protect your skin. It is also very dry so bring lots of water!
The grassland didn’t disappoint on the hike! There was a lot of wide-open space to see the buttes and the washes and creek beds in the area. Watch out for any off-trail hiking because of the small cacti in the grassy areas around the trail. I’d also watch out for nesting birds in the area during mid-summer. Finally, always be ready for rattlesnakes and keep pets on leashes!
The grassland is located in Weld County Colorado. It is a 30 by 60 miles area of intermixed public and private land.
Like the national forests, dispersed camping is allowed in most national grassland areas.