There are four different Wilderness Areas on the Medicine Bow National Forest; Savage Run, Platte River, Huston Park and Encampment River Wilderness. These areas offer freedom from cars crowds and mechanical noise. The forest also administers the Thunder Basin National Grasslands, located in northeastern Wyoming in the Powder River Basin between the Bighorn Mountains and the Black Hills.

The origin of Medicine Bow is legendary. The generally accepted version is that Native American tribes which inhabited southeastern Wyoming found mountain mahogany in one of the mountain valleys from which bows of exceptional quality were made. It became the custom of friendly tribes to assemble there annually and construct their weapons. At these assemblies. there were ceremonial powwows for the cure of disease which, in the hybrid speech that developed between the lindens and the early whites, was known as making-medicine. Eventually, the whites associated the terms making medicine and making bows, and Medicine Bow resulted as a name for the locality. Later, the name gained world-wide renown through Owen Wister's novel, The Virginian.

Recreational Opportunities

For more campground information please visit Fred and Suzi Dow's U.S. National Forest Campground Guide.

Dispersed Camping - Camping outside of a campground is allowed on many areas of the Forest and on the Grassland. Regulations permit camping in dispersed areas for a maximum of 21 days. Camping or campfires are not permitted outside developed campgrounds or picnic areas within 500 feet of the Snowy Range Scenic Byway between the Forest boundary at Centennial and road #103-Cascade North Twin Road (Sec. 27, T16N, R80W).

Picnicking - The Forest has several developed, day use picnic grounds with no fee. No overnight camping is allowed.

Four of the group picnic sites on the Forest require reservations and a fee. Reservations for Evans Creek may be made by calling the Laramie Ranger District. Reservations for Ryan Park may be made by calling the Brush Creek Ranger District. Reservations for Bottle Creek may be made by calling the Hayden Ranger District. Reservations for Hidden Valley may be made by calling MISTIX at 1 -800-283-2267.

Hiking - The Forest is ideal for short hiking trips. Trails vary as to length, degree of difficulty and amount of use. Extensive areas of remote backcountry do not exist for more lengthy trips however, the wilderness areas are adequate for a trip of 4 to 7 days. Most hiking is done in summer and early fall.

4-Wheel Drive and Off-Highway Vehicles - The Forest offices a variety of primitive roads for the 4-wheel drive enthusiast. Most are quite rough, and few are maintained. The Travel Management Map for On and Off-Motorized Travel outlines the 4-wheel drive opportunities and restrictions on the Forest. If you drive an OHV on any public road, including Forest Service roads, it must meet motorcycle standards.

Horseback Riding - The Forest offices many trails suitable for horseback riding. Horses are allowed on the hiking trails unless a trail is designated for foot travel only. Horses are not allowed in campgrounds but may be kept adjacent to them. There are several dude ranches and outfitters in the area that rent horses for trail rides and pack trips.

Fishing - Secluded mountain lakes and streams await fishermen. Many different species of trout are present and provide diversified opportunities for fishing. Please consult Wyoming Game & Fish regulations carefully before going fishing. Call 307-745-4046 for information.

Hunting -The Forest contains a variety of game ranges and habitats. There are six types of big game hunted on the Forest. These are elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn (antelope), bighorn sheep and black bear. Several small game species and game birds are also hunted. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department manages the populations of game and non-game wildlife in the state. Please consult regulations before hunting. Call 307-745-4046 for hunting information.

Boating - Boating is limited to non-motorized watercraft on the lakes with the exceptions of Rob Roy and Hog Park Reservoirs, Lake Owen and Sand Lake. Motor-powered watercraft in excess of f 10 horsepower are prohibited on Turpin Reservoir. None of the rivers or streams are suitable for boating. Call 307-777-4597 for information on boat licensing regulations.

Rafting - For information on rafting on the North Platte River, please contact the North Park Ranger District, P.O. Box 158, Walden, CO 80480. 303-723-8204.

Rock Climbing - Vedauwoo and LaBonte Canyon are popular areas for rock climbing. There are no mountaineering opportunities on the Forest.

Photography - Beautiful sunrises and sunsets, wildlife, colorful foliage, rushing streams and rivers, and rugged mountain tops offer the photographer an infinite number of subjects.

Cross-Country Skiing - There are many-miles of cross-country ski trails on the Forest. Most trails are groomed throughout the winter however, you may still find miles of untracked snow on which to ski.

Downhill Skiing - A downhill ski area is located on leased Forest land and offers a convenient, inexpensive opportunity for alpine skiing. Call 1-800-GO-2-SNOW for information on the downhill ski area.

Snowmobiling - Many miles of excellent trails offering breath-taking scenery and a refreshing winter experience are available to the snowmobiler.

Ice Fishing - During the winter months, ice fishing is a popular sport in the area.

Scenic Attractions and Points of Interest

Laramie to Saratoga is 72 miles and takes about 2 hours to drive. From Laramie to the top of the Snowy Range is 40 miles and takes one hour to drive. From Centennial to the top of the Snowy Range is 10 miles and takes 1/2 hour to drive. A visitor center is located a mile west of Centennial. Elevations on the Byway range from 8,100 to 10,847 feet. Vegetation includes lodgepole pine at the lower elevations which gives way to spruce-fir and then alpine tundra at higher elevations. Next to the Byway, there are many small lakes nestled against high escarpments, and large snow-banks persist throughout the summer.

This route is a popular recreation attraction with many picnic, camping, observation and interpretive facilities. The Libby Flats Wildflower Trail is located 13 miles west of Centennial. This zone has a beautiful array of wild flowers which can be seen from early June through July. The Krumholtz vegetation associated with the alpine zone is also located in this area. The mountain ranges of Colorado can be seen from the Libby Flats Observation Point. A self-guided tour is available at Ryan Park. Campground which was the site of a WWII prisoner of war camp. Handicapped accessible facilities are available at Barber Lake and Lake Marie Picnic Grounds. Barber Lake has a handicapped accessible fishing area, and Lake Marie has a handicapped accessible trail that skirts the southeast shore of the lake.

Medicine Bow Peak at l2,013 feet, the highest point on the Forest. is immediately adjacent to the Byways. There are several hiking trails accessible from the Byway, including a trail up Medicine Bow Peak. This is a rigorous hike not suitable for small children.

A trip along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway is a must when you visit southeastern Wyoming!

Vedauwoo - The strange rocks of Vedauwoo are located on Pole Mountain between Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming directly off interstate 80. This is a popular area for rock climbers, photographers and picnickers.

Laramie Peak - Laramie Peak, at 10,272 feet, the highest point in the Laramie Mountains, is accessed from the trailhead at Friend Park Campground. This is a very steep 5.5 mile climb to a panoramic view at the top of the peak. The area offers excellent hunting, fishing, hiking and camping.

LaBonte Canyon - LaBonte Canyon is an area of steep granite rock formations suited to climbing and photography. The steep canyon walls, along with stands of aspen and conifer, make the area most scenic. The canyon contains large populations of deer and elk, and bighorn sheep can sometimes be seen.

Black Mountain - Black Mountain, off of forest road 633, is a 3.5 mile hike with a Forest Service lookout tower located at the top. The tower is in operation from June until October, and visitors are welcome on the tower during this time.

Battle Highway - The Battle Highway, Wyoming Highway 70, leads across the Sierra Madre Mountains from Encampment to Baggs. This 28 mile long stretch of scenic highway is open during the summer from Memorial Day through October, weather permitting.

Several historic sites are located along the highway, including the Battle townsite and Edison Monument. When mining was in its heyday, the town of Battle flourished. The Edison Monument is located near Battle Lake. While fishing on the lake, Thomas Edison got the idea for his light-bulb filament.

Battle Pass, on the Continental Divide, provides a wide vista of the Sierra Madre Range. North of Battle Pass, at 11,004 feet, lies Bridger Peak. This peak was named for Jim Bridger, well known mountain man.

In the fall when the aspen are turning, the drive from the Continental Divide to the west forest boundary offers a panorama of color. "Aspen Alley", north of the Little Sandstone Campground on forest road 801, provides a spectacular drive through the aspen forest.

Less than a mile west of the Sandstone Work Center is the Battle Creek Overlook. This overlook offers the visitor a panoramic view of scenic mountains from the Continental Divide west to Battle Mountain and includes numerous peaks on the Routt National Forest in Colorado.

Hog Park - The old tie-hack camp of Hog Park lies 20 miles south of Encampment on forest road 550 . At the turn of the century, this camp produced railroad ties for the Union Pacific Railroad. Evidence of past activities still exists in and around this area.

The scenic Hog Park Reservoir was finished in 1965 and provides water to the capital city of Cheyenne. The reservoir is a popular area for fishing and boating.

Grand Encampment Museum - The Grand Encampment Museum, located in Encampment, Wyoming, is the archive for Region 2 of the US. Forest Service. Region 2 includes Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. The museum also contains memorabilia from the area's rich history of mining and logging.