Pawnee Grasslands Willow Creek Loop

Sprawling across the plains northeast of Greeley, Colorado, the Pawnee Grasslands are criss-crossed by a network of gravel county roads and 2-track dirt Forest Service Roads. These easy roads offer an alternative to the usual mountain ‘wheeling of the Colorado Rockies, especially from late fall to early spring when many of the mountain trails are snowed in. The Pawnee Grasslands are an internationally recognized bird-watching area and support many species of birds, especially during migration season. Pronghorn, prairie dogs and other wildlife are plentiful and there are opportunities for hiking, target shooting, camping and star gazing as well as a rich history with a mix of abandoned homesteads and working farms and ranches. This route combines several Forest Service Roads connected by a few short sections of County Roads along the northern edge of the Willow Creek drainage providing wide open views of the rolling hills and plenty of solitude.