Medicine Bow National Forest

State: Wyoming. Type: U.S. National Forest, administratively combined with Routt National Forest and Thunder Basin National Grassland since 1995 under one Forest Service unit (headquartered in Laramie, Wyoming). Medicine Bow National Forest portion covers approximately 1,096,891 acres across Carbon, Albany, Converse, Natrona and Platte counties. Established May 22, 1902. Home to Medicine Bow Peak, the Snowy Range's highest point at 12,013-12,018 feet.

Medicine Bow National Forest spreads across several separated mountain ranges in southeastern Wyoming, with the Snowy Range (part of the Medicine Bow Mountains) as its best-known section. Established in 1902, it is administered jointly with Colorado's Routt National Forest and the Thunder Basin National Grassland as the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, headquartered in Laramie. The forest's signature landscape is the alpine terrain around Medicine Bow Peak, the range's highest summit at just over 12,000 feet, ringed by glacial lakes such as Lake Marie and reached via a roughly four-mile hiking trail that is only snow-free from early June to mid-October. Vedauwoo, a distinctive area of wind-sculpted granite formations near Interstate 80, is a well-known rock-climbing destination within the forest's broader boundary. Summers bring hiking, fishing, horseback riding and mountain biking through aspen and conifer forest, while winters shift the emphasis to cross-country skiing, snowmobiling across some 300 miles of trails, and ice fishing. The forest's high-altitude terrain and frequent afternoon thunderstorms in summer are worth planning around for any visit.

Medicine Bow National Forest sits in southeastern Wyoming, spanning Carbon, Albany, Converse, Natrona and Platte counties, with ranger districts based in Laramie, Saratoga and Douglas. The forest is administered together with Colorado's Routt National Forest and the Thunder Basin National Grassland as the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, headquartered in Laramie, Wyoming.

The forest has a subalpine climate typical of the higher Rocky Mountain ranges, with cold, snowy winters and short, mild summers. Elevations at Medicine Bow Peak and the Snowy Range Pass area exceed 10,000 feet, so afternoon thunderstorms and hail are common in summer, and snow can persist into early June and return by mid-October at higher elevations.

Early June through mid-October is the main window for hiking Medicine Bow Peak and driving the high-elevation portions of the forest, since snow closes these areas the rest of the year. Winter draws a different set of visitors for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing across the forest's roughly 300 miles of winter trails.

Medicine Bow National Forest was established on May 22, 1902, one of the earlier national forests created under the Forest Service's early conservation program. It was administratively combined with Colorado's Routt National Forest (established 1905 under President Theodore Roosevelt) and the Thunder Basin National Grassland in 1995 to form the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, a single Forest Service administrative unit spanning roughly 2.2 million acres across Wyoming and Colorado. Ryan Park Campground, within the Snowy Range portion of the forest, carries additional historical significance tied to a Civilian Conservation Corps camp and a World War II prisoner-of-war camp.

Hiking is a major draw, especially the roughly four-mile trail to Medicine Bow Peak, the Snowy Range's highest point. Fishing in alpine lakes, horseback riding, and mountain biking are popular summer activities across the forest's aspen and conifer terrain. Vedauwoo, near Interstate 80, is a well-known destination for rock climbing among its wind-sculpted granite formations. In winter, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling (around 300 miles of trails), ice skating and ice fishing take over as the main activities.

Medicine Bow Peak (12,013-12,018 feet) and the surrounding Snowy Range are the forest's best-known landscape, with glacial lakes such as Lake Marie visible from the peak's southern slopes. Vedauwoo's granite rock formations near I-80 are a distinct geological attraction popular with climbers. Ryan Park Campground carries added historical interest from its Civilian Conservation Corps and World War II POW camp past. The forest also includes designated wilderness areas as part of the wider Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests system.

The forest is most commonly accessed from Laramie or Saratoga, Wyoming, via Wyoming Highway 130 (the Snowy Range Scenic Byway), which crosses the Snowy Range between the two towns. Laramie, home to the Medicine Bow-Routt headquarters, sits directly off Interstate 80, making it the most straightforward gateway for most visitors driving in from Cheyenne or Rawlins.

The forest itself has no single gate or opening hours, as it is open public land, though the high-elevation Snowy Range Pass road (Highway 130) closes for the season in mid-November and typically reopens before Memorial Day weekend once snowplowing is complete. Specific developed recreation sites, such as campgrounds, generally operate on their own seasonal schedules; check the Forest Service's current site listings before visiting.

There is no general entrance fee to Medicine Bow National Forest itself. Fees apply at many developed recreation sites, such as some campgrounds, though more than half the forest's developed sites and nearly 2,000 dispersed camping sites have no fee, and dispersed camping is free forest-wide; an Annual Day-Use Pass for the wider Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests is available for $30 per year. Confirm current site-specific fees on the Forest Service's official pages before visiting.

A day trip covers a hike to Medicine Bow Peak or a drive along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, but a multi-day visit allows time for additional hiking, fishing, or a stay at one of the forest's campgrounds.

Developed campgrounds are scattered throughout the forest, including Ryan Park Campground in the Snowy Range area, alongside extensive dispersed (no-fee) camping options. The nearby towns of Laramie and Saratoga offer hotels, motels and other lodging for visitors who prefer not to camp, with Saratoga also known for its hot springs.

Laramie and Saratoga, the forest's main gateway towns, each have a range of casual restaurants and cafes serving visitors heading into or out of the forest. Because much of the forest itself has no dining facilities beyond campgrounds, most visitors plan meals around stops in these towns.

The Snowy Range Scenic Byway (Wyoming Highway 130) runs directly through the forest between Laramie and Saratoga and is a destination in its own right. Vedauwoo, near Interstate 80, is a short drive from Laramie. Saratoga's hot springs and the town of Encampment, further south along the byway corridor, round out nearby stops.

Laramie Regional Airport offers the closest air service, with Denver International Airport a further option for visitors flying in from farther away. A personal or rental vehicle is essential for reaching and exploring the forest, given its rural, spread-out terrain and lack of public transit.

Afternoon thunderstorms and hail are common in summer at these high elevations, so plan hikes like Medicine Bow Peak for the morning and get below treeline before storms build. The Medicine Bow Peak trail itself involves loose rock and switchbacks, so sturdy footwear and caution are warranted. For any emergency, dial 911.

Layered clothing, rain gear and sturdy hiking boots are important given the forest's high elevation and afternoon storm risk. Bring plenty of water, sun protection and a map or GPS, since much of the forest is remote with limited cell service. Winter visitors should pack for cold-weather activities like cross-country skiing or snowmobiling, including appropriate layers and traction devices.

Time high-elevation hikes like Medicine Bow Peak for early in the day to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, and check current road status for Highway 130/the Snowy Range Scenic Byway before traveling, since it closes seasonally at the higher pass. Fill up on gas and supplies in Laramie or Saratoga before heading into the forest, since services are limited once off the highway corridor. Confirm current campground and day-use fees on the Forest Service's official site, since dispersed camping remains free forest-wide.

Dial 911 for any emergency. For general Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests information, the Yampa Ranger District (part of the same administrative unit) can be reached at 970-638-4516, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; contact the Laramie-based headquarters directly via the Forest Service's official site for Wyoming-specific ranger district numbers.

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin National Grassland (U.S. Forest Service) - https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/mbrtb

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.