Pawnee Trail

Sites on this Trail

Lower Latham Reservoir
Description:
Although the reservoir itself is hard to see from the road, the extensive marshes on the south side are a good place to find Yellow-headed Blackbird, “Western” Marsh Wren, Savannah Sparrow, Great-tailed Grackle, Sora, Ibis, Virginia Rail, and Black-necked Stilt. American Bitterns nest here but are hard to see; White Pelicans also nest here. Keep an eye out for other marsh-dwelling creatures such as muskrats. Be sure to respect private property and pull off as far as possible on the gravel road.

Directions:
From I-76: go north on US Hwy 85 towards Greeley. Turn right (East) onto County Road 44 to CR 43. Turn left (north) to CR 48. Go east on CR 48, which runs through the marshes at the south end of the reservoir.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Greeley
Description:
In this small Great Plains city, the best place to bird is Glenmere Park. The pond in the park attracts ducks and geese, and Snowy Egret and Black-crowned Night-Heron have nested on the island in the pond. Mississippi Kite have sometimes been seen in and around the park in late summer and early fall, and migrants can be attracted to the mature trees.

Directions:
From I-25: take exit 257, US Hwy 34/Eisenhower Blvd. and go east to Greeley. Exit at 23rd Ave. and head north to Reservoir Rd. Go east onto Reservoir Rd. to 14th Ave. Head north on 14th Ave. to Glenmere Blvd., then head west to 17th Ave., and then go south. Parking spaces will be on the east side of the street.

Access:
Open all year, 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Poudre River Trail and Greeley Gravel Pits
Description:
A paved bicycle and walking trail follows the Cache la Poudre River through Greeley and west to Windsor. Some stretches of the river are lined with tall trees; be sure to scan them for nesting Bald Eagles. The Poudre River Trail is a 21-mile paved pathway extending from Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley to Colorado Highway 392 in Windsor, so there are many miles to explore (on foot or bike) for birds and more!

Directions:
From I-25: take exit 257, US Hwy 34/Eisenhower Blvd. and go east to Greeley. Transition onto US Hwy 85/Business Route and head east until 11th St, then head north to island Grove Park to the new parking lot right before the bridge.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
The Poudre Learning Center
Description:
The Poudre Learning Center (PLC) offers easy hiking trails adjacent to the Poudre River, which provides the perfect habitat to attract a diversity of birds and other wildlife. Look for Bald Eagles in the large trees along the river, as well as the usual suite of breeding species during the summer, and migrant sparrows and warblers during the spring and fall. A small pond can occasionally host small numbers of waterfowl. The PLC also offers a variety of nature-based programs and activities for schools and people of all ages - check their website for more information.

Directions:
From I-25: take exit 257, US Hwy 34/Eisenhower Blvd. and head east towards Greeley. Use the right 2 lanes to continue on US Hwy 34 toward 10th St./Greeley/Business Route. Continue on US Hwy 34/10th St. to 83rd Ave. Go north on 83rd Ave. for 1.3 miles to CO 62/F St. Head west on CO 62/F St. at the eagle tower. The PLC is located immediately on the north.

Access:
Open all year (closures during certain school holiday periods and special events), Learning Center: 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM, M-F;. Grounds: Sunrise to Sunset, 7 days a week
Windsor Lake/Boardwalk Community Park
Description:
Often confused with Windsor Reservoir, which is three miles north, Windsor Lake is right in the town of Windsor. At times it attracts huge numbers of ducks, gulls, and grebes. The lake is easy to view from Boardwalk Community Park, and a nice walking trail runs all the way around it.

Directions:
From I-25: exit 262, CO 392/East County Rd. 32 and head east 4.5 miles to CO 257/Weld County Rd. 17. Go north on CO 257 to Birch St. Go east on Birch St. for 2 blocks to Boardwalk Park's parking lot.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Windsor Reservoir
Description:
Windsor Reservoir is larger than the nearby Windsor Lake and often attracts more birds. It is a good place to find diving ducks and flocks of gulls, but can be difficult to view; a scope is required. Scan from the end of the dam, near the busy intersection of CR 74 and CR 19. Please be cautious of traffic when parking and walking.

Directions:
From I-25: take exit 265, CO 74/Harmony Rd. Head east on CO 74 for 5.5 miles and the reservoir will be on the north. Viewing is from the roadside; best spot is on the north side of the road by CR 19.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Black Hollow Reservoir
Description:
This large reservoir is far from the road, so a scope is required for good viewing. Between late fall and spring, the large flock of gulls here regularly includes Lesser Black-backed and Thayer’s. In recent years, a pair of Bald Eagles has nested at the reservoir, providing another good reason to visit.

Directions:
From I-25: take exit 269-A, CO 14/Mulberry St. and go east for 6 miles. At CR 19, head north and in 2 miles, the reservoir is located east of the road.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Drake Lake
Description:
A small lake with great marsh edges and a few trees, this area can be very attractive to ducks, geese, and especially gulls between fall and spring, as long as it is not frozen. The gulls gather here when they are not feeding in the nearby Weld County Landfill. In April and May, shorebirds can visit in good numbers.

Directions:
From I-25: exit 269-A, CO 14/Mulberry St. and go east for 8 miles. At CR 23, head south and in 0.5 miles, the lake is on the west.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Raptor Alley
Description:
The Raptor Alley tour route originates from the Town of Nunn, perhaps one of the best places to see most common birds of prey and where some 23 species of raptors have been recorded. When driving on county roads, please watch for traffic and only pull over to look for birds in visible, safe locations. Also, be careful pulling onto the shoulder of roads, as many are soft and you could get stuck.

Directions:
From I-25: take exit 269-A, CO 14/Mulberry Street and go east to the town of Ault. Head north on Highway 85/CanAm Highway to the town of Nunn. The Raptor Alley Route is a series of loops around Nunn and between Nunn and Pierce. See Birding Trail website for detailed directions.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Crom Lake
Description:
Crom Lake is a small pond near the town of Pierce and is a reliable place to see ducks, pelicans, and herons; sometimes it hosts impressive numbers of geese or shorebirds in spring migration. The lake tends to freeze in colder months and during summer hosts fewer birds, but prairie species such as Burrowing Owl and McCown's Longspur can sometimes be found in the surrounding area.

Directions:
From I-25: exit 269-A, CO 14/Mulberry St. and go east to the town of Ault. Head north on US Hwy 87/ CanAm Hwy, for 4 miles to the town of Pierce and then go west on CR 90. In one mile, go south on CR 31. The reservoir is 0.5 mile south along this road.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Clark Lake
Description:
This small lake is just southeast of the town of Ault and can attract good numbers of geese in winter, along with various ducks. In spring and summer, look for Bullock's Oriole in the cottonwoods around the lake, and Yellow-headed Blackbird in the cattails.

Directions:
From I-25 at Fort Collins: take exit 269A, CO 14/Mulberry St. Head east on CO 14/Mulberry St. for 16 miles, through the town of Ault, to CR 39. Go south on CR 39 and in 0.5 miles, head west on CR 80 1/2. The lake is a 0.25 mile west, on the north.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Crow Valley Campground
Description:
This Forest Service campground is a prime destination for migrant warblers, vireos, thrushes, and flycatchers, with good chances for vagrants from the east. Eastern Screech-Owls nest here, and in winter, Long-eared Owls sometimes roost in the evergreens. The campground is very popular with visitors on spring and summer weekends, and please note that hunting occurs here in season. The campground is closed from November to April, but you can still park outside the gate and walk in.

Directions:
From I-25: exit 269-A, CO 14/Mulberry St. and go east for 38 miles to Briggsdale. Head north on CR 77 and then east into the campground.

Access:
April to mid-September (closed from November to April), walk in access year round, Daylight hours
Pawnee National Grasslands (western section)
Description:
The Pawnee National Grassland is one of the premier patches of shortgrass prairie remaining on the Great Plains, a haven for a suite of prairie birds increasingly scarce elsewhere: Ferruginous Hawk, Mountain Plover, Long-billed Curlew, Burrowing Owl, McCown’s and Chestnut-collared Longspurs, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Colorado's state bird, the Lark Bunting. Pronghorn and black-tailed prairie-dog are hard to miss; also watch for coyote and swift fox. The National Grassland is a complex and remote patchwork of federal, private, and leased lands; a good map is essential for navigating the area.

Directions:
To get to one of the best areas, Murphy's Pasture, from I-25: exit 269-A, CO 14/Mulberry St. and go east for 35 miles to CO 69. Head north on CR 69 and in 3 miles, go east onto CR 96. Murphy's Pasture is the next 4 miles of road.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Pawnee National Grasslands (East Section) & Pawnee Buttes
Description:
One of the most beautiful spots on Colorado's eastern plains, the buttes provide nesting places for Rock Wrens and Prairie Falcons. Pronghorn and Black-tailed Prairie-Dogs are easy to see in this area; lucky observers may spot a jackrabbit, a Swift Fox, a Golden Eagle, or a Mountain Plover. For a longer, scenic adventure, travel the Pawnee Pioneer Trails, a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway.

Directions:
From I-25 at Fort Collins: take exit 269-A, CO 14/Mulberry St. and go east for approximately 55 miles through the town of Briggsdale to CR 105. From Briggsdale, travel another 14 miles to CR 105. At CR 105, go north. CR 105 will "T" at CR 390; go northwest for a short distance to reconnect with CR 105 heading north. CR 105 will then end at CR 104; go east on CR 104 for three miles to CR 111. Head north on CR 111 to CR 110. Go east on CR 110; it will curve north and change to CR 113. Continue on and when the road curves east, go north onto Pawnee Butte Trailhead. Continue north to the parking lot on the east.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
West Pawnee Ranch
Description:
Located north of the west section of the Pawnee National Grassland, the Ranch features a variety of habitats including grasslands, riparian, juniper-laden rocky ridges and a wetland/pond complex. Wild Turkeys are common. Golden Eagles have nested on the property and the site is an oasis for many a migrant songbird. In the fall and spring, many surprises could abound. Porcupines and swift foxes can also be seen here.

Directions:
From I-25: take exit 269-A, CO 14/Mulberry St. and go east to the town of Ault. Head north on US Hwy 85/CanAm Hwy through the town of Nunn. Continue north to CR 122 and go east to CR 55. Head north on CR 55; at CR 124 go east, at CR 57 go north, and at CR 130, head east to the Ranch.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours