Snowy Range Road
Alpine scenery for every skill level
Snowy Range Road climbs from the Laramie Plains to 10,847-foot Snowy Range Pass, crossing the Continental Divide through some of Wyoming’s most accessible alpine terrain. Highway 130 provides the paved foundation, but forest service spurs branch into backcountry leading to Lake Marie, Mirror Lake, and the Snowy Range itself. The main route stays open year-round to Centennial, but the high country section closes with first snow, typically October through May.
Easy to moderate difficulty depending on chosen side routes, suitable for any high-clearance vehicle. The paved portions handle family cars, but accessing backcountry lakes requires 4WD and careful navigation of rocky, narrow tracks. No permits needed for day use, though overnight camping requires following Leave No Trace principles above treeline. Laramie provides full services while Centennial offers limited supplies. This route delivers genuine alpine scenery without technical driving, making it perfect for overlanders seeking mountain beauty without extreme difficulty.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 45 mi / 72.4 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10847 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Laramie, Wyoming |
| Land manager | Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 2WD car handle Snowy Range Road, or do I actually need 4WD?
The paved highway portion (WY-130) is fine for any vehicle in good conditions, but if you're pulling off onto forest roads for camping or exploration, a high-clearance 4WD becomes necessary. Don't let the 'easy' rating fool you into bringing a sedan onto the dirt spurs.
When does Snowy Range Road open in spring and close in fall?
The high-altitude section of WY-130 over the pass (10,847 ft) typically opens in late May or early June and closes around late October or early November depending on snowfall. WYDOT gates the road at the pass when conditions turn — check wyoroad.info before you go.
Do I need a permit or pass to drive or camp here?
No permit is required to drive the road. Dispersed camping in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest is free and requires no reservation, but you must camp at least 100 feet from water, roads, and trails. Developed campgrounds along the route charge a nightly fee.
What's the hardest part of this drive and what should I actually expect?
The road itself tops out near 10,847 ft with tight curves and exposed ridgeline sections — the challenge is weather and altitude, not technical terrain. Summer afternoon thunderstorms roll in fast up here; if you see anvil clouds building, get off the exposed summit area.
How far is it between gas stations on this route, and is there cell service if something goes wrong?
It's roughly 45 miles between Laramie and Saratoga with no gas in between — fill up before you leave town. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent through most of the pass, so don't count on calling for help; a satellite communicator is worth having.
Trail track
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