Pawnee Buttes

The Pawnee Buttes are made of soft sedimentary rock, sandstone and clay laid down over millions of years, capped by a harder, more resistant layer that has protected them from the erosion that wore down the land around them. As the surrounding plains washed and blew away over the ages, these two capped remnants were left standing, monuments to a land surface that once reached far higher.

The bluffs and badlands near the buttes are rich in fossils, and the region has long been of interest to paleontologists studying the ancient life of the plains. Erosion continues to shape the buttes and the nearby cliffs, slowly and steadily, so the landscape you see is a snapshot of a very old, very gradual process still at work.

The Pawnee Buttes Trail sets out from a small parking area and crosses the open grassland toward the buttes, running for a few miles round trip. It is mostly level and straightforward, though the sun, wind, and lack of shade make water and preparation essential, and it delivers big rewards for modest effort.

Along the way the path passes crumbling clay bluffs and the West Butte, with the taller East Butte standing beyond on private land. The walk gives you time to absorb the scale of the plains, the layered colors of the eroding cliffs, and, if you are lucky, the sight of hawks or an eagle drifting along the rimrock ahead of you.

The cliffs of the Pawnee Buttes are important nesting habitat for birds of prey, including hawks, falcons, and eagles, which favor the ledges and overhangs of the eroding bluffs. Because of this, part of the trail and cliff area closes each year during the nesting season to protect the birds during a sensitive time.

Those seasonal closures are clearly posted, and honoring them is part of visiting responsibly, since a disturbed nest can mean lost young. Even when the cliffs are closed, the buttes and the grassland reward a visit, and watching a prairie falcon or golden eagle work the winds along the bluffs is one of the great sights of this remote corner of Colorado.

This is the land of the shortgrass prairie, a subtle ecosystem that reveals its riches to those who slow down: pronghorn out on the flats, prairie dogs in their towns, and a wealth of grassland birds. It is also the homeland of Plains peoples including the Cheyenne and Arapaho, whose history is woven through this landscape. The dark night skies out here, far from any city glow, are magnificent.

Spring and fall are the best times to visit, mild and often stirring with bird activity and, in spring, wildflowers among the grass. Summer is hot and exposed, with the ever-present risk of afternoon storms and lightning on the open plains, so early starts are wise. Winter is cold, windswept, and stark, but a snow-dusted butte under a huge quiet sky has its own austere beauty.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The Pawnee Buttes are two dramatic, isolated rock buttes rising several hundred feet above the surrounding shortgrass prairie in the Pawnee National Grassland on the high plains of northeastern Colorado. These striking landmarks, remnants of an ancient landscape left standing as the surrounding terrain eroded away, punctuate the vast, open plains with their sculpted cliffs and offer a scenic destination for hiking and photography. Reached by a trail across the grassland, the Pawnee Buttes are a beloved and unique feature of the Colorado prairie, drawing hikers, birdwatchers, and those seeking the wild, wide-open beauty of the eastern plains.

Yes, a trail leads across the open prairie to and around the Pawnee Buttes, a hike of a few miles round trip over relatively flat but exposed terrain, offering close-up views of the dramatic buttes and cliffs. The trail is moderate, but the lack of shade and the exposure to sun and wind make it feel more demanding, so carrying plenty of water and sun protection is important. Note that portions of the area near the buttes close seasonally, typically in spring and early summer, to protect nesting raptors, so checking current trail status before you go is wise.

The trail crosses exposed, shadeless prairie where heat, strong sun, and wind can be intense, so bring ample water, sun protection, and layers, and avoid hiking in the heat of the day in summer. Afternoon thunderstorms bring dangerous lightning on the open plains, so check the weather and leave if storms threaten. The area is remote with limited services and possibly no cell coverage, so be self-sufficient and tell someone your plans. Near the buttes, stay back from cliff edges. Being prepared for the exposed conditions and weather ensures a safe hike to the buttes.

Spring and fall offer the most pleasant temperatures for the exposed hike, with spring bringing wildflowers and green prairie, though note that seasonal closures to protect nesting raptors may restrict access near the buttes in spring and early summer, so checking current status is important. Summer can be hot and stormy, so early morning hikes are best then, and winter is cold and windy. For comfortable weather and open access, fall is often ideal, or spring outside the closure areas, always preparing for the exposed, remote conditions of the high plains.

The Pawnee Buttes rise within the Pawnee National Grassland on the high plains of northeastern Colorado, near the grassland's famous prairie-dog towns and raptor-watching areas, the town of Greeley to the southwest, and within reach of Fort Collins and the Front Range. That makes the Pawnee Buttes a dramatic and unique stop to combine with the birding and wildlife of the Pawnee National Grassland and the northern Colorado Front Range attractions on a visit to the state, offering a striking prairie landmark far from the mountains.