Today we feature the two National Grasslands of Colorado – Pawnee in the northeast and Comanche in the southeast.
Pawnee National Grassland has two main sections and totals about 200,000 acres. Pawnee NG has been discussed several times on this blog with its main features being two enormous buttes that rise above the surrounding plains about 200 feet. The main trailhead at the buttes has recently been renovated and now has picnic shelters, toilets and a new section of trail. Great Plains Trail Alliance volunteers helped with the labor on this trailhead project.
Comanche National Grassland, in southeast Colorado also has two sections, comprises about 450,000 acres, and contains a number of dramatic features including dinosaur tracks in Picketwire Canyon, parts of the Sante Fe National Historic Trail and nearby Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site. The scenery is some of best that canyon country has to offer with dramatic cliffs, juniper hills and scenic highland vistas.
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Both of these areas are incredibly gorgeous. Commanche Grasslands & the Purgatory Canyon easily rival any mountains scenery this beautiful state has to offer. It is especially scenic in the spring while the Purgatory River is running full bore. The dinosaur tracks are one of those amazing hidden gems that Colorado is so famous for.
It’s true. I was really impressed with that area . . . northeastern New Mexico as well!