The Pawnee National Grasslands are located within a 30 x 60 mile quadrant of northeast Colorado between Highway 14 and the Wyoming border. The grasslands span 193,060 acres of native short grass prairie in the South Platte River Basin. The Pawnee Buttes are among the grasslands' most prominent topographic features, rising nearly 300' from the open prairie floor. The Pawnee Butte Trail leads to the base of each butte with magnificent views and excellent wildlife viewing along the way.

The trail lead through brilliant grasslands on its way to several 300' buttes

The Pawnee Grasslands are an internationally known birding area, and are also home to swift fox, pronghorn, mule deer and rattlesnakes

The Pawnee Buttes trail is open year round but certain sections are off limits from March 1 – June 30 to protect nesting raptors

Rattlesnakes are commonly found in the grasslands so please watch your step and where you place your hands

Prickly pear cactus flourishes within the grasslands - be careful as it can be hidden by tall grass

The Pawnee Buttes are comprised of fragile sandstone which crumbles to the touch

Cattle trails cut for endless miles through the Pawnee Grasslands

Skeletal remains are a reminder of the harsh winters which can trap animals in the snow

Pinyon and juniper are found in small clusters, offering a shaded respite from an otherwise exposed landscape

A spiny backed lizard catches morning sun off the Pawnee Buttes Trail

The east side of Lips Bluff

A hiker meanders through the Pawnee Grasslands

Sandstone formations are constantly reshaped by wind, rain, and freeze-thaw cycles on the high Colorado plains

While snakes are the paramount reptile, many other species live in the grasslands

Close up of a butte wall - segmented eroding sandstone creates highly unstable formations which will crumble if climbed upon

Sharp contrasts between sandstone and prairie brush create a surreal landscape at the base of East Pawnee Butte

Rising from the ground and eroding from all directions, buttes tower over the grasslands

Hidden washes support small oases of water and vegetation used by wildlife for concealed travel and shelter

A pronghorn stands in a field of colorful cactus - pronghorn can exceed 60 mph at full speed

Mesa tops, like those of Lips Bluff, are made of 'conglomerates' - stones or pebbles cemented into sandstone

Sandstone slots cut deep through the grasslands, a naturally protected thoroughfare for wildlife

Sandstone fins along the base of Overlook escarpment

Heavy erosion down the east face of the Overlook escarpment

East Pawnee Butte from Lips Bluff

West Pawnee Butte

The trail drops through heavily vegetated washes before spilling into the open plains