Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Cottonwood Canyon Birding Trail 

• Open Season: Open year round 
• Length: 1 mile 
• Location of trail: Below the Overlook to the north 
• Surface: Natural substrate of grass and dirt  
• Difficulty: Moderate 
• Information: The Cottonwood Canyon Birding Trail begins and ends at the parking area below the Overlook. This trail is located along the old lakebed with cottonwood, elm, and osage orange trees lining most of the trail. The upper portion of the trail is more rugged and uneven surfaces may be present. 

Cottonwood Hiking Trail 

• Open Season: Open year round 
• Length: 1.25 miles 
• Location of trail: Below the Overlook to the south 
• Surface: Natural substrate ADA complainant  
• Difficulty: Moderate 
• Information: The Cottonwood Hiking Trail begins and ends at the parking area below the Overlook. This trail can either be an out and back or it connects with the Grassland Loop. This trail along the old lakebed with cottonwood and elm trees lining the majority of the trail.  

Grassland Loop 

• Open Season: Open year round 
• Length: 2 miles 
• Location of trail: The Overlook 
• Surface: Natural substrate consisting of dirt, caliche, and grass with uneven surfaces present. 
• Difficulty: Challenging    
• Information: The Grassland Loop begins and ends at the Overlook. This winding trail leads visitors through mixed grass prairie along the caprock before connecting to the Cottonwood Hiking Trail. 

Prairie Dog Trail  

• Open Season: Open year-round 
• Length: 0.25 miles 
• Location of trail: F.M. 168 at the Prairie Dog Town parking area 
• Surface: Crushed caliche, ADA compliant  
• Difficulty: Easy 
• Information: Walk along the edge of a black-tailed prairie dog town through the High Plains National Natural Landmark National Natural Landmark
  The National Natural Landmarks Program preserves sites illustrating the geological and ecological character of the United States. The program aims to enhance the scientific and educational value of the preserved sites, strengthen public appreciation of natural history and foster a greater concern for the conservation of the nation’s natural heritage. The program was established in 1962 by administrative action under the authority of the Historic Sites Act of 1935. The first National Natural Landmarks were designated in 1963. Today, there are more than 600 National Natural Landmarks in 48 states, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  
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