Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
4.8(4.8K)google
CampingForestHikingLakeMountain
Overview
Medicine Bow–Routt National Forest is the official title to a U.S. Forest Service managed area extending over 2,222,313 acres (8,993.38 km2) in the states of Wyoming and Colorado, United States. What were once three separate areas, Medicine Bow National Forest, Routt National Forest, and Thunder Basin National Grassland were administratively combined in 1995 due to similarity of the resources, proximity to each other and for administrative purposes. The Medicine Bow National Forest section (1,096,891 acres) is located in southeastern Wyoming and was originally created as a forest reserve in 1902.
Practical Info
Mon–Fri8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sat–SunClosed
Suggested Duration1-3 days
Best TimeJuly and August feature vibrant alpine wild flowers and fully open scenic passes. Mid-September offers spectacular fall foliage with golden aspen glades. Early morning is ideal for mirror-like alpine lakes and spotting wild elk herds.
Getting ThereThe primary artery is the Snowy Range Scenic Byway (Wyoming Highway 130 / WY-130). Drive west from Laramie on WY-130 to head directly up into the alpine heart of the national forest.
Travel Tips
- The high-altitude Snowy Range Scenic Byway (Wyoming Highway 130) triggers complete seasonal gate closures from mid-November through late May; passenger sedans must remain strictly on active asphalt grids.
- Contracted recreation spaces demand day-use fee validations via on-site envelope self-registration or pre-purchased digital permits; failing to display barcode passes invites immediate USFS ranger parking fines.
- The backcountry maps continuous grizzly and black bear tracking corridors; federal wilderness safety regulations mandate wearing defense canisters externally on your harness rather than stowed inside packs.
Reviews
Positive
- Towering snow peaks and alpine lakes dot the forest; the views along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway are heavenly.
- Campgrounds are widely spread and exceptionally quiet with fair fees, a true pristine sanctuary away from tour crowds.
- Wildlife sightings are frequent; hiking by the lake in the morning often treats you to massive moose drinking peacefully.
- Trails are well-kept and graded, ranging from family-friendly lakeside boardwalks to challenging peak-bagging routes.
Heads up
- The high-altitude scenic roads and overlooks close due to snow for most of the year, opening only from late June to October.
- Cell service is non-existent in the forest backcountry; most remote areas lack emergency phones or stationed staff.
- Restrooms are mostly rustic forest pit toilets lacking cleanup; furthermore, the park has zero drinking water or food concessions.
- Recent beetle infestations have left large patches of dead gray pine trees, somewhat marring the otherwise perfect green scenery.