Pawnee National Grasslands
The Pawnee National Grassland lies 35 miles east of Fort Collins and 25 miles northeast of Greeley in
Weld County. Contained within the 30-by-60 mile area are 193,060 acres managed by the Pawnee National
Grassland. The rest of the land is a checkerboard of private land, State of Colorado ownership and
the Central Plains Experimental Range.
While developed facilities are limited on the grassland, recreation opportunities are not. The Pawnee
is an internationally known birding area. It supports many bird species, especially during migration.
The Colorado State Bird, the lark bunting, is very common on the grassland in spring and summer. The
grassland also has many unique high plains bird species such as the mountain plover, burrowing owl and
many birds of prey. Hiking, camping, picnicking, horseback riding and stargazing are also popular
activities. Pronghorn, mule deer, coyote, swift fox, snakes and prairie dogs are just a few of the
species that make the prairie their home.