Trail Overview

Pawnee National Grasslands offers a distinct landscape of wide-open views and rolling hills with ample opportunities for recreation. This area is a checkerboard of National Grasslands, State of Colorado, Central Plains Experimental Range, and private lands. The area contains numerous Forest Service Roads that may be explored individually or can be linked together for hours of enjoyment. The crisscrossing two tracks lead in many directions so pay close attention to posted signs and designated maps. Crow Vally Loop is an easy two-track trail in dry conditions. Drivers should be cautious in wet conditions. There are some areas where the roadbed is heavily rutted and areas that will collect standing water, making for muddy conditions.

Photos of Crow Valley Loop

Want to see more?
View All Photos

Difficulty

A very easy two track trail in dry conditions. Drivers should be cautious in wet conditions, there are some areas where the road bed is heavily rutted and areas that will collect standing water making for muddy conditions.

Technical Rating

_._.Rocket._._

Dec 26, 2025

Open

The entire trail was completely dry and sun hardened, even the deep ruts. The only people I saw were two groups target shooting (very considerate and doing all the right things for safety).

Toby Wolf

Aug 16, 2025

Open

It was a bit wet out there today so there were quite a few muddy spots and I couldn’t complete the 2nd part of the trail alone without having someone to pull me out just in case. However the birding trail that runs perpendicular to this one was in good shape and a fun drive to finish the outing :) lots of splashing around like an Outback Steakhouse commercial. We did about a 40 minute walk with the dogs in the middle under some dramatic skies and didn’t see a single person on a Saturday. Fantastic little trail to see distant scenery and relax a bit.

chance simmons

Jul 27, 2025

Open

Couple herds of cattle and 4 or 5 antelope. Birds and a few lizards.

Dan T.

Jun 12, 2025

Open

Easy going, most muddy spots were optional with a bypass route. Pronghorn were about.

Ricardo Salazar

Apr 05, 2025

Open

Saw pronghorn running across trail. Very rutted and a few muddy crossings

Aaron Decker

Dec 22, 2024

Open

Quiet trail, some erosion but avoidable. Wide open space with views that just keep going. Very easy trail for relaxing drive.

Nicholas Bowers

Dec 22, 2024

Open

Fun, easy trail - pretty washboarded out but no big deal…tons of routes breaking off from main trail. Good spot for beginners if that’s you.

Daniel Guttormson

Dec 15, 2024

Open

Kimber P

Sep 12, 2024

Open

Other than some people at the shooting range had all the roads to ourselves. Many washouts but have bypasses. Could be really muddy after a rain

Dacodah Odegaard

Aug 11, 2024

Open

There was a couple little muddy spots not more the a couple inches deep lots of caddle out the loop was closed but the beginning was open

Andrew B.

May 21, 2024

Open

It was dry in the evening and a pleasant drive with a beautiful view from Crow valley hill… pretty muddy the next morning but nothing I had trouble with.

Nick W.

May 19, 2024

Open

Beautiful Day with lots of wildlife and enjoyed the afternoon!

Steve Hahn

May 06, 2024

Open

Lots of wildlife, no mud or water on the trail. Good little get away to check out the pawnee.

Trevor Lane

Feb 04, 2024

Open

Slippery from snow and rain but other all still easy

Tommy Mica

Jan 28, 2024

Open

There is a gate off 104 but it is simply an unlocked cattle gate that can be opened easily. Very easy two track, an awd crossover should be able to traverse easily. I would be very mindful of driving when wet or snowy, the light mud we did hit was very goopy.