Arapaho, Roosevelt, Pawnee National Grassland National Forest - Colorado

Tel: (970) 295-6700

Go bird-watching for burrowing owls and mountain plovers! Enjoy whitewater rafting and kayaking amidst the snow-covered peaks of the Rockies at the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests &Pawnee National Grassland.

With topography that ranges from rolling hills to snow-covered mountains at over 14,000 ft. in elevation, this grassland National Forest trilogy is filled with grasslands decorated with elms and cottonwood trees. One of the main recreational activities is watching the many bird species, especially birds of prey, including unique high plains species such as the mountain plover, the burrowing owl, McCown's Longspur and Chestnut-collared Longspur. There is a 1.5 mile trail which provides an opportunity to view the Buttes up close, which stand approximately 300 feet above the surrounding prairie. Do note: as the rock is crumbling sandstone, climbing on the Buttes is not recommended.

Visitors are invited to enjoy camping, picnicking, fishing, horseback riding, white-water rafting and kayaking, as well as the five scenic byways which have spectacular scenery, wildlife, and history.

The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests & Pawnee National Grassland encompass roughly 1.5 million acres of public land in the Rocky Mountains and foothills and short grass prairie of north central Colorado, and are easily accessed from Denver and other front-range cities via Interstate 70 and 25. Follow Route 14 east from Fort Collins to reach the grasslands.