North Sand Hills Recreation Area ~ Colorado

Flickr album link: North Sand Hills Recreation Area

The North Sand Hills Recreation Area is located in north central Colorado near the Wyoming Border and there is plenty of back country wilderness to explore in this region. The main attractions are the wildlife refuges that attract a wide variety of species and the many fishing spots in the valley draw all sorts of anglers. Plenty of camping opportunities can be found in the national forests and the town of Walden is a convenience place for stocking up. For those who relish the thought of carving up the trails in a 4x4 buggy, there are many lengthy alpine roads in the mountains that offer a great escape. There also is an OHV playground in the north end of this big valley along Highway 125 and the signage for the North Sand Hills Recreation Area is easy to spot near Cowdrey. 

North Sandhills is an area of old dunes that butt up against the mountains, but there is plenty of sagebrush overgrowth that hides the true nature of this place when viewed from a distance. Just below the surface is deep silty sand that is revealed by the 4x4 trails. The further you go into this recreation area, the deeper the soft sand gets, so only capable 4x4 vehicles are recommended for this destination. The trails meander all over the sage brush dunes and this is a great area for observing pronghorn antelope, so be sure to bring a camera along for the ride. There also is a gigantic bare dunes area next to the mountain slopes where all sorts of off road driving skills can be tested and this big sand pile is where most of the ATV riders gather. The BLM North Sand Hills Recreation Area is well worth checking out, especially if you happen to be a 4x4 weekend warrior!
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