Lonesome Highway — Pawnee Buttes Road to Pawnee National Grassland via Crow Valley
Prairie spires, pronghorn, and no cell bars.
The Pawnee Buttes are one of those landmarks that make the eastern Colorado plains feel like the set of a Western film. The buttes — North Pawnee and South Pawnee — top out around 5,800 feet and rise nearly 300 feet above the surrounding grassland, visible for miles in every direction across a landscape that hasn’t changed much since the Pawnee hunted it. The road into the Pawnee National Grassland off State Highway 14 east of Briggsdale cuts through working ranch country on maintained dirt and two-track, crossing Crow Valley before arriving at the trailhead parking area beneath the buttes. The drive itself covers some of the most open, treeless terrain in the lower 48 — pronghorn, raptors, and prairie dogs in every direction. The Crow Valley Recreation Area has been a base camp for grassland access since the 1930s.
This is not a technical route — a stock 2WD pickup handles it in dry conditions, though the clay soil turns to axle-sucking mud after any real rain and the two-track spurs require high clearance. No permit required for vehicle travel. Greeley is your last full-service stop, about 35 miles southwest. Water is not available in the grassland — carry everything you need. Best season is late April through June for wildflowers and raptor nesting activity, and again September through October. Dispersed camping is permitted in the national grassland with no fee and no hookups. Wind is constant and genuine.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 30 mi / 48.3 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5820 ft |
| Best season | April-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 2WD (dry), High-clearance recommended |
| Nearest town | Briggsdale, Colorado |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service — Pawnee National Grassland |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 2WD truck or SUV handle Pawnee Buttes Road in dry conditions?
Yes — in dry conditions a stock 2WD with reasonable ground clearance can complete this route. The surface is dirt and gravel two-track with no major obstacles, but high clearance is recommended because rutting and washboard sections can bottom out low-slung cars.
What happens to this trail after rain — is it passable when wet?
No. The Pawnee Grassland clay soils turn into axle-deep mud after any significant rain and will swallow vehicles regardless of drivetrain. Check weather 48 hours out and avoid it entirely if storms have passed through — it can stay impassable for days.
Do you need a permit or pay a fee to drive and camp here?
No permit and no fee for dispersed camping on Pawnee National Grassland. Standard Leave No Trace rules apply, and there's a 16-day stay limit. Campfire restrictions may be in effect seasonally — check with the Pawnee National Grassland office before you go.
What's actually the hardest part of this route and what should I watch for?
Nothing on this trail is technically difficult — the challenge is navigation on unsigned two-tracks that branch constantly across the grassland. Bring downloaded offline maps or a dedicated GPS unit; signage is minimal and the roads look identical in every direction.
How far is the nearest gas station from the trailhead, and is there water on route?
Briggsdale is the closest town but has no fuel — Ault or Greeley (roughly 30-40 miles southwest) are your real fuel stops, so top off before heading out. There is no potable water anywhere on this route; carry everything you need for the full 30 miles plus camp.
Trail track
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