Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland

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Welcome to Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland! Visitor opportunities abound on almost 2.9 million acres of National Forest System lands.

The national forests and national grassland offer diverse outdoor opportunities. These lands are yours-to visit, care for, and most of all, enjoy.

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.

The Thunder Basin National Grassland is located in northeastern Wyoming in the Powder River Basin between the Big Horn Mountains and the Black Hills. Elevation on the national grassland ranges from 3,600 to 5,200 feet, and the climate is semi-arid.

The national grassland provides unique opportunities for recreation, including hiking, sightseeing, hunting, and fishing. There are no developed campgrounds; however, dispersed camping is allowed.

The national grassland abounds with wildlife year-round, provides forage for livestock, and is underlain with vast mineral resources. Land patterns are very complex because federal, state, and private lands are intermingled. The Douglas Ranger District administers the Thunder Basin National Grassland.