Colorado · Hiking
Hiking in Haswell, Colorado
Hiking near Haswell, Colorado puts you squarely in the shortgrass prairie of Kiowa County, where the landscape is flat to gently rolling, the sky is enormous, and the trails are county roads rather than marked singletrack.
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Hiking near Haswell, Colorado puts you squarely in the shortgrass prairie of Kiowa County, where the landscape is flat to gently rolling, the sky is enormous, and the trails are county roads rather than marked singletrack. The three routes here — County Road 16, County Road N, and County Road 24 — are unpaved rural roads that double as walking routes through open rangeland. This is not destination hiking in the mountain sense. There are no trailheads with kiosks, no maintained paths, and no dramatic elevation change. What you get instead is genuine eastern Colorado solitude: pronghorn, meadowlarks, and a horizon that stretches uninterrupted in every direction. Haswell itself is a small agricultural community, so expect minimal services and no gear shops nearby. These routes are best suited to walkers who want a quiet, low-key outing and are comfortable navigating on open roads shared with occasional farm traffic. If you are driving from the Front Range, plan to be self-sufficient — bring your own water, food, and a paper map or downloaded offline route, since cell coverage in this part of Kiowa County is unreliable.
Frequently asked questions
What are County Road 16, County Road N, and County Road 24 actually like to walk?
All three are unpaved county roads running through flat to mildly rolling shortgrass prairie. The surface is typically packed dirt or gravel, which can get muddy after rain or dusty in dry stretches. There are no formal trailheads, signage, or maintained walking paths — you are sharing the road with farm and ranch vehicles, so stay aware of traffic.
When is the best time of year to hike near Haswell?
Spring (April through early June) and fall (September through October) are the most comfortable, with mild temperatures and a better chance of seeing wildlife active in the cooler parts of the day. Summer hiking is doable but eastern Colorado gets hot and exposed quickly, so start early in the morning and carry more water than you think you need. Winter is generally passable but roads can become impassable mud after snow melt.
Is there any shade or water along these routes?
No. The prairie around Haswell offers virtually no tree cover, and there are no public water sources along these county roads. Bring all the water you plan to use — a minimum of two liters per person for any outing longer than an hour, more in summer heat.
What gear do I need for hiking these county roads?
Sturdy walking shoes or trail runners handle the gravel surface fine; waterproof boots are worth it if there has been recent rain. Sun protection is non-negotiable — hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are essentials on the open prairie. A downloaded offline map (such as Gaia GPS or Maps.me) is strongly recommended since cell service in Kiowa County is spotty.
Are there any regulations or permits required to walk these roads?
County roads are public rights-of-way, so no permit is required to walk them. The land on either side is private ranch and farmland, so stay on the road surface and do not cross fences or enter fields without landowner permission.
