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Pawnee Pioneer Scenic and Historic Byway
The Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic and Historic Byway leads to the Pawnee Buttes and beyond. Traveling across the Byway, one may imagine how this short grass prairie was viewed by Native Americans, frontiersmen, early cattlemen, 19th and early 20th century homesteaders, and those who faced the Dust Bowl and Great Depression of the 1930s. The Byway offers historic attractions and recreation areas along the roadways. Visitors can experience solitude and explore nature through bird watching, wildlife study, photography and hiking. Driving along the Byway, visitors encounter pleasant agricultural communities while traveling through 100 million years of geologic deposition artfully exposed and rearranged by wind and water.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | Please note that the gravel roads tend to get soggy following rain or snow. Best driven with a 4-wheel drive vehicle in wet weather. |
|---|---|
| Usage: | Medium-Heavy |
| Best Season: | Spring and Fall |
| Busiest Season: | Spring and Fall |
| Restrictions: | Although recreational opportunities abound on the Grassland, vehicle travel is limited to routes marked by number posts to prevent erosion and accidental trespass onto private land. |
| Closest Towns: | Ault, Briggsdale, Grover, New Raymer, Greeley |
| Water: | Available in Crow Valley campground and nearby towns. |
| Restroom: | Restrooms available in nearby towns. |
Activities
Viewing Wildlife
Along this scenic drive, you have a chance to see many species of wildife. You may spot pronghorn grazing or burrowing owls close to the ground. So many wonderful creatures to keep a lookout for!
Scenic Driving
Drive throughout the prairie! There you will see beautiful grassland landscapes and wildlife who call the Pawnee National Grassland Home.