Hiking

Whether day hiking or backpacking, you'll find many opportunities on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. Hundreds of miles of trail wind through backcountry wilderness, developed recreation areas, and everything in between.

Backpacking

Backpacking is the perfect way to visit beautiful and unique areas in remote locations, such as designated wilderness areas. Backpacking is best suited for late summer and fall months on the MBRTB due to heavy winter snow and cool spring temperatures. Always check with local ranger districts to ensure that trails are passable, especially those that cross high, mountainous terrain. 

Day Hikes

With hundreds of miles of trail, opportunities for day hikes abound across all areas of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. From a quick lap around a lake or rock outcrop after a picnic lunch to an early morning adventure catching the sunrise on a mountain peak, hikers of all skill levels can find a trail suited for them. Some trails are paved and accessible to all visitors, while others may have rocky terrain or patches of snow year-round.

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Recreation Opportunities

Backpacking (123)

Day Hikes (213)

Hiking (1)

Showing: 61 - 70 of 221 results

Elkhorn Creek Trailhead

This trailhead provides good access into backcountry hiking in the western portion of the Laramie Range - especially good for elk hunters. Open season is June - October. 

Encampment River Wilderness

Site Open

The Encampment River Wilderness is within the Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming and is located on the Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District in the Sierra Madre Range. Designated…

Encampment Tie Hack Trailhead

Small interpretive panels on tie hack history; access to short trail to cabin ruins and other cultural sites. This is a non-motorized, multi-use trail.  

Encampment Trailhead

Designated trailhead with access to trails into Mount Zirkel Wilderness. Facilities include outhouse and horse corral. Setting is managed forest area. Timberline is at approximately 10,500 feet…

Esterbrook Campground

Site Open

Nestled within a pine forest along a broad ridge, north of Laramie Peak, Esterbrook Campground is a terrific jumping-off point for recreating in the Laramie Peak Unit of the Douglas Ranger…

Fish Creek Falls Trailhead: Trail #1102

Fish Creek Falls Trailhead #1102 provides a great view of the waterfalls from a wheelchair accessible overlook trail and a dirt trail leading to the base of the falls. A historical bridge, which…

Flat Tops Area

The Flat Tops area is managed by the Yampa Ranger District in Yampa, CO (27 miles south of Steamboat Springs). The Flat Tops Area offers many recreation opportunities for all seasons. These include…

Flat Tops Wilderness - Routt

The US Congress designated the Flat Tops Wilderness in 1975 and it now has a total of 235,214 acres, located in Colorado. It is managed by the White River and Routt National Forests. In 1919,…

French Creek Campground

Site Closed

French Creek Campground is located on Forest Road 500. Facilities include 11 campsites (small trailers only up to 32 feet), water, picnic tables, toilets, fire grates and trash service available.…

French Creek Canyon Trail

The French Creek Canyon Trail's upper trailhead begins at the Tipple Trailhead on Highway 130 and is a popular day hike. The trail goes steadily downhill, passing through open meadows and spruce-pine…