The Snowy Range

The Snowy Range, named for large amounts of snow that remain at high elevations during warmer months, is primarily known for its excellent outdoor recreation, pristine mountain scenery and plentiful wildlife. The nationally recognized Snowy Range Scenic Byway leads to many historical and natural attractions throughout the Range.

SNOWY RANGE SCENIC BYWAY

The Snowy Range Scenic Byway (SRSB), Highway 130, is Wyoming's second highest pass. It is typically open Memorial Day through October, weather permitting. The Highway was completed in the early 1940's as a main artery between Centennial and the Upper North Platte River Valley, and the towns of Saratoga, Encampment and Riverside. Threading its way over the Snowy Range, it showcases some of the most breathtaking and easily accessible peaks in the Rocky Mountains, including famed Medicine Bow Peak at 12,013 ft. Brief descriptions of some of the more notable points of interest along the Highway are summarized on the following pages. The Snowy Range Scenic Byway Mileage Chart is handy for viewing the distances between points of interest along this 40-mile drive.

Your journey begins in the friendly community of Centennial. Centennial, located just east of the entrance to the Snowy Range, offers plenty of places to stay and eat, a convenience store, fuel and the Nici Self Museum, which is housed in the 1907 Hahns' Peak & Pacific Railroad Depot.

Once inside the Forest, you'll find the Barber Lake and the Libby Creek Recreation Area. This area is ideal for families looking for small campgrounds, lakeside picnics and enjoyable fishing. In the winter, the Barber Lake Road doubles as a cross-country ski trail. The nearby Corner Mountain and Little Laramie trails are great for mountain biking and double as cross-country ski trails in winter.

(continue) | Snowy Range Recreation Map