- The Wyoming Range features easier access and fewer visitors than the Tetons and Wind River Range.
- 11,363-foot tall Wyoming Peak is the highest point in the Wyoming Mountains.
- Hiking, backpacking, camping, hunting and fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding and snowmobiling.
Overview
The Wyoming Mountains run for about 80 miles north-south across west-central Wyoming, paralleling the Salt River Range to the west. The highest peak is 11,363-foot tall Wyoming Mountain, at the southern end of the range. Though the Wyoming Range is often visited, they are still isolated enough for visitors to enjoy their outdoor adventures without crowds and in solitude. Perhaps the major draw to the Wyoming Range is the fact that it offers a more secluded mountain experience without the necessity of a long, difficult access.
What can I see and do in the Wyoming Range?
Most of the Wyoming Range is overseen by the Forest Service, so visitors have more options than they would in a more regulated wilderness area. Recreational opportunities include hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, hunting and fishing, mountain biking, snowmobiling and skiing.
- Hiking
Although recreational opportunities abound in the Wyoming Range, it may be best known for its hiking. Many miles of trails traverse across the landscape, some of which require mountaineering and climbing experience. The main trail systems include the Wyoming Range National Recreation Trail (70 miles long, rising to about 9,000 feet) and the Wyoming Range Snowmobile Trail (hundreds of miles long with varied terrain - map). Other notable trail routes include the Cottonwood, Big Sandy, Big Piney, South Cottonwood, North Cottonwood and Horse Creek. - Camping
Camping is another popular past-time in the Wyoming Range. Two fairly good campgrounds, the Sacajawea and Middle Piney Lake Campgrounds, provide facilities with washrooms, picnic tables RV hook-ups. Undeveloped campsites and backcountry camping are also available throughout the range.
When can I visit the Wyoming Mountain Range?
As with most mountain ranges, recreation seems to be centered during the summer months of July through September, when higher elevations have melted out and the weather is a bit more reliable. That said, expect your typical mountain weather and be prepared for cold and storms. During the winter, the Wyomings provide entertainment for skiers and snowmobilers alike.
Where are the Wyoming Mountains?
While there are many ways to access the Wyoming Range, nearby towns that often serve as starting points include Big Piney, Kemmerer, Marbleton and La Barge. The best way to access the Wyoming Range is by a series of single lane gravel-topped roads.
