Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

From mountain ranges to grasslands and crystal clear streams, the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest provides abundant and unique opportunities for visitors.

Photo credit: USDA Forest Service

The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests extend from north central Colorado to central Wyoming. The national forests encompass portions of many mountain ranges, including Gore Range, Flat Tops, Parks Range, Elkhead, Medicine Bow Mountains, Sierra Madre, and Laramie Range. The national forests provide year-round recreation opportunities for thousands of people. They also provide wildlife habitat, timber, and forage for livestock and are a vital source of water for irrigation, domestic use, and industry. The topography varies greatly within the national forests. Elevation ranges from 5,500 to 12,940 feet. The climate ranges from semi-arid at low elevations to colder and less arid in the high country. Frost may occur at any time, and visitors to the higher elevations should be prepared for harsh weather, including snow and high winds, even during the summer months.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/mbr

Wilderness Areas/Wild & Scenic Rivers

Encampment River Wilderness - Designated a Wilderness Area in 1984 with 10,124 acres, it is the smallest wilderness area in Wyoming.

Flat Tops Wilderness - Flat Tops Wilderness spans the Routt National Forest and White River National Forest.  Elevations range from 7,640 to 12,354 feet.  This is the third largest Wilderness in Colorado.

Huston Park Wilderness - The terrain rises to an elevation of 10,500 feet and contains alpine bogs, spruce-fir, lodgepole pine and aspen forests.

Mount Zirkel Wilderness - This Wilderness area is home to the headwaters of the Elk, Encampment and North Platte Rivers, as well as some 70 lakes, high mountain peaks, and a portion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.

Platte River Wilderness - Dispersed camping opportunities are widespread or several developed campgrounds are nearby, such as Six Mile Gap Campground and Pelton Creek Campground

Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness - You will not find many trails in this Wilderness and, as a result, have a better opportunity for solitude.

Rawah Wilderness - "Rawah" is a Native American term meaning "wild place."

Sarvis Creek Wilderness - Visitors may enjoy a tumbling waterfall, a moist meadow or historic logging camp remains by following the Sarvis Creek Trail and the Silver Creek Trail.

Savage Run Wilderness - Anglers come for the creek's brook trout, while a resident elk population attracts hunters. Hiking and backpacking are other popular activities.

Invasive Species