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Pole Mountain Area

The Pole Mountain area is located north of Interstate 80 between Laramie and Cheyenne in Albany County, Wyo. Approximately 55,000 acres in size, Pole Mountain is a popular area for recreation and the uniqueness of its terrain. Large rock outcrops, rolling hills, short grass prairie, and many different types of trees inhabit this area on the Medicine Bow National Forest. 

In the Laramie, Cheyenne, and Fort Collins area, the Pole Mountain unit is some of the closest and most accessible National Forest System lands. Pole Mountain sees heavy year-round usage from visitors who want to explore public lands. Popular uses include, but are not limited to, mountain biking, climbing, camping, military training, hunting/fishing, winter sports, livestock grazing, hiking, off-highway vehicle travel, horseback riding, and communication sites. This region is managed by the Laramie Ranger District

Recreation Sites

Showing: 1 - 10 of 17 results

Blair Picnic Site

Site Open
Picnicking Biking Hiking
Eerie rock formations provide the perfect backdrop for this small picnic area. Picnic tables, drinking water and a vault toilet are provided. No reservations needed. 

Happy Jack Trailhead

Site Open
Hiking Outdoor Science and Learning Biking Winter Sports
Winter skiing and sledding, as well as hiking and mountain biking are available on this summit loop. Trails connect to Tie City and the Old Happy Jack Road. If you continue pass the trailhead, there…

Headquarters East TH

Site Open
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) Biking
This trailhead is the eastern-most point of the Headquarters National Recreation Trail and has access to the Summit, Tie City and Happy Jack trail systems. There are horse corrals and stock only…

Hidden Valley Group Picnic Site

Site Closed
Picnicking
Hidden Valley Group Picnic Site offers a large open space, surrounded by scenic forests, for groups up to 300 people to gather amidst a beautiful outdoor setting. This is an excellent facility for…

Lincoln Gulch Trailhead

Medicine Bow Rails to Trails Trailhead. Site includes a vault toilet, gravel parking lot and picnic table. Open season is mid-June to mid-October. 

Nautilus Rock Trailhead

Site Open
Rock Climbing at its best, right off the Interstate. This site was approved for a fee change - Click here for more information

Pole Creek Dispersed Campground

Biking Hiking
This walk-in dispersed campground provides access to biking, hiking and fishing. Much of the infrastructure is overgrown, but it is still accessible.  

Reynolds Hill Trailhead

This trailhead provides access to numerous climbing and hiking opportunities. Located just a few miles off I-80. A picnic table and trash cans are available for public use. Open season is mid-May to…

Summit Trailhead

Site Open
Picnicking Hiking Biking Outdoor Science and Learning
Located near the Summit Rest Area/Visitors Center/Lincoln Monument. Access to the Tie City and Happy Jack trail systems via the Headquarters and Crow Creek Loop Trails. Open seasonally with weather…

Tie City Campground

Site Closed
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Biking Horse Riding and Camping
The campground is comprised of 17 campsites in a single tear-drop loop. Some sites are nestled in a dense grove of aspen, fir and spruce, others are in a grassy meadow. The interior road is narrow…

Last updated April 21st, 2025