Lonesome Highway — Laramie Mountains Divide to Glendo via Friend Park Road and Esterbrook
Wyoming granite and pines with zero traffic.
Friend Park Road climbs out of the North Platte River valley south of Glendo and works its way up through the granite outcrops and lodgepole pine of the Laramie Mountains, connecting to the Esterbrook community and eventually dropping toward Douglas on the eastern plains. The route crosses the Medicine Bow National Forest on graded gravel and two-track that can range from dusty hardpack to rutted mess depending on the season. Laramie Peak — Wyoming’s highest point in the Laramie Range at 10,272 feet — looms to the southwest the whole drive. The Friend Park Campground sits near the midpoint and is one of those places where you’ll wake up to mule deer in the site and nothing else for miles.
This is a moderate high-clearance route — a capable truck or stock 4WD handles it in dry conditions, but spring mud and early summer snowpack can make sections genuinely impassable. The road is approximately 40 miles between Glendo and Esterbrook. No permit required. Fuel in Douglas or Wheatland; none on the route. Cell service is gone past the pavement. Best season is June through October. Dispersed camping is permitted throughout the national forest sections. This is a route for people who want Wyoming without the Yellowstone crowds — real solitude, granite, and pines.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 40 mi / 64.4 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8400 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Douglas, Wyoming |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service — Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Medicine Bow-Routt info |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner is the minimum and will get you through. Lockers aren't required, but the rocky granite sections and rutted two-track will punish low-clearance rigs — don't attempt this in a crossover or unmodified SUV.
When does Friend Park Road typically open and close for the season?
June through October is the reliable window. Snow can linger at the higher elevations into early June and return by late October — mud season after spring melt can make sections impassable even for 4WD. Check with Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest before heading out early or late season.
Do I need a permit to run this route or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the trail. Dispersed camping on Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest land is free and allowed within standard Forest Service rules — 14-day stay limit, 300 feet from water sources and roads. No fees as of the last update, but verify with USFS at fs.usda.gov/mbr.
What's the hardest section on this route and what should I actually expect?
The granite-exposed sections through the Laramie Range core are the crux — large embedded rocks, shelf road edges, and loose gravel on descents. It's rated moderate, so nothing that should stop a competent driver in a capable rig, but it demands attention and a few carefully chosen lines rather than mindless cruising.
Are there water crossings I need to worry about, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
Yes, there are water crossings on this route — depth varies significantly by season and recent weather, so earlier in summer treat them as unknown until you're standing in them. Douglas is the nearest town for fuel; top off there before you head in because there's nothing between the trailhead and the end, and you have zero cell service if things go sideways.
Trail track
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