Briggsdale

Crow Valley Recreation Area is set in the Pawnee National Grassland, a very popular site with bird enthusiasts. Over 200 species can be found in the area. Hiking and star gazing are favorite activities in this remotely located campground.

Crow Valley Recreation Area contains four types of sites: a family campground, group overnight sites (Hawk, Plover and Lark), a group picnic area and an educational site (EDU). Vault toilets and drinking water are provided.

Each family site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring.

The group overnight sites can be reserved separately or together. Picnic tables and a campfire circle form a common area at each site. Tent pads are arranged around each common area. Parking is adjacent to each site. These sites have very little shade.

The group picnic area can accommodate up to 200 people for day-use. It includes a lighted, covered shelter with several electrical outlets, 31 tables and a large barbeque grill.

The Steward J. Adams Educational Site is accessible and can accommodate up to 100 people for overnight or day-use. It includes a three-sided covered shelter with electrical outlets and tables.

Enjoy a short walk within the Crow Valley Recreation Area, across a dry creek bed and into a cottonwood stand. You may be surprised by how many birds you are able to hear and see, especially during spring and fall migration.

Mid-19th century pioneers settled on the short-grass prairie, in northeastern Colorado, and tried their hand at farming. A Pawnee chief once said, “Grass no good upside down." During the Great Depression and Dust Bowl of the 1930s, farmers experienced the wisdom of that comment in this arid, windy region. Those who stayed learned many lessons, and adjusted their ways and their tools. Today, historic farming equipment is on display at the Lee and Dorothy Rhodes Farm Implement Museum, within Crow Valley Recreation Area. This collection of equipment, donated by the descendants of homesteaders, can help one imagine what life was like in pioneer days.

As a part of the Crow Valley Recreation Area (CVRA), the Steward J. Adams Education Site was named for an educator who valued the grassland environment. While the Education Site is a great place to observe the night sky, birds, and other wildlife, it can be used for any gathering of up to 100 people.

Located at the end of the campground road, the Steward J. Adams Education Site is a tents-only, reservation-only site. Vault toilets are at the site. There is a covered cooking shelter that has electrical outlets and three picnic tables. Parking is available for up to 20 cars/trucks/vans or two buses (each 40’ long); no RVs allowed.

This little known short trail begins within Pawnee National Grassland's Crow Valley Recreation Area at the Steward J. Adams Education Site. The Trail of the Mourning Dove runs north along the normally (but not always) dry Crow Creek. Early morning and evening walks, along this bush-filled lowland, delight nature watchers.

Birdwalk Trail

Enjoy a short walk within the southern border of Crow Valley Recreation Area, across a dry creek bed and into a cottonwood stand. You may be surprised at how many birds you hear and see, especially during spring and fall migration.