Pawnee National Grassland Backcountry — Crow Valley to Pawnee Buttes via the High Plains Desert Edge
Prairie solitude and sandstone sentinels on the High Plains.
The Pawnee Buttes are two isolated sandstone towers jutting out of the northeast Colorado shortgrass prairie at around 5,500 feet, and the dirt roads connecting Crow Valley Recreation Area south of Briggsdale to the Buttes trailhead are about as wide-open as overlanding gets in the lower 48. The network of county and USFS two-tracks crosses private grazing allotments on the Pawnee National Grassland — 193,000 acres of public land managed by Roosevelt National Forest — and the route from Crow Valley to the Buttes via CR 104 and CR 112 runs roughly 35 miles through a landscape that has barely changed since the Dust Bowl. Expect washboard gravel, seasonal two-track mud, and real prairie isolation. The Buttes themselves are nesting habitat for prairie falcons and ferruginous hawks — the area closes annually March 1 through June 30 within a half-mile of the Buttes.
Honestly, a high-clearance 2WD handles this in dry conditions, but spring mud and rutted two-tracks make 4WD worth having. No technical obstacles — the challenge is distance, heat, and navigating county roads where Google Maps is unreliable. Fuel in Greeley or Fort Collins before heading out; nothing in the grassland. Dispersed camping is permitted on USFS land within Pawnee National Grassland — no fee, no reservations, common sense rules apply. Best season is September through November and April (outside nesting closure). Cell service is spotty to none.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 35 mi / 56.3 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5620 ft |
| Best season | September-November, April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD (4WD recommended spring) |
| Nearest town | Briggsdale, Colorado |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service — Roosevelt National Forest, Pawnee National Grassland |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Pawnee National Grassland |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 2WD truck handles this fine in dry conditions — it's washboard dirt and gravel two-track, nothing technical. Spring mud is the exception; that's when 4WD earns its keep, and low-clearance vehicles like sedans or crossovers should stay home.
When does the trail turn into a muddy mess, and is it passable in winter?
Spring snowmelt (roughly February through early April) can turn the clay-heavy two-tracks into axle-sucking gumbo — High Plains mud is no joke. Winter access is generally possible but unpredictable; hit it after a snow and you may be turning around. April and September through November are the sweet spots.
Do I need a permit to drive out to the Pawnee Buttes or camp on the grassland?
No permit required for driving or dispersed camping on Pawnee National Grassland. Note that the Pawnee Buttes area has a seasonal raptor closure — the trail to the buttes themselves is closed February 15 through June 30 to protect nesting hawks and falcons, so plan accordingly if you're visiting in spring.
What's the hardest part of this route — is there anything that'll actually challenge me?
Nothing on this trail will challenge a capable driver — the difficulty is environmental, not technical. The real test is navigation: the two-tracks criss-cross unmarked across open prairie and GPS tracks drift. Download offline maps before you leave Briggsdale, because you will second-guess yourself out there.
How far is the nearest gas station, and is there any water on route?
Briggsdale is the closest fuel stop and it's small — top off there or in Greeley before heading out. There is zero reliable water on this 35-mile route across open grassland; carry everything you need, minimum 1 gallon per person per day, more in summer heat.
Trail track
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