Lonesome Highway — Breaks of the Laramie to Vedauwoo via Wyoming High Plains
Granite tors and pronghorn on Wyoming's forgotten high plain.
The Sherman Hills south of Vedauwoo hold some of Wyoming’s strangest landscape — massive Sherman granite tors rising out of open high-plains grassland at 8,400 feet, swept by constant wind and lit gold in the afternoon. USFS Road 700 and connecting Medicine Bow National Forest two-tracks braid through this country between the outskirts of Laramie and the famous rock climbing area at Vedauwoo, skirting ranch land and cutting through open sage flats where pronghorn run in bunches. The route passes within a mile of the Lincoln Monument on US-30 — once the highest point on the Lincoln Highway — giving context to how long humans have been pushing through this particular stretch of Wyoming wind.
Difficulty is mild — most sections are graded gravel or hardpack two-track suitable for a capable AWD or light truck when dry. Wet conditions turn the clay-heavy sections greasy and slick; avoid after rain. No permit required. Fuel and water in Laramie, 15 miles west. Wind is relentless and temperatures drop fast after dark even in summer; carry layers. Best season is May through October. Cell service is spotty at best. Dispersed camping is permitted throughout the Medicine Bow National Forest sections.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 32 mi / 51.5 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8432 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | AWD or 4WD high-clearance recommended |
| Nearest town | Laramie, WY |
| Land manager | Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest — Laramie Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Subaru Outback handle this trail, or do I actually need 4WD?
AWD with decent clearance like an Outback can manage this trail in dry conditions — the surface is mostly dirt and gravel with no serious obstacles. After rain, the clay sections get slick and soft, and that's where a 4WD with high clearance earns its keep. Don't push it in wet weather with a street-biased AWD rig.
When does the trail typically open after winter, and is snow a real concern?
The route sits above 8,000 feet, so snow can linger into May and show up again in September. Best window is June through early October. Spring access depends on how wet the year has been — muddy high-plains clay will swallow your tires if you go too early.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp along this route?
No permit required to drive the trail. Dispersed camping on Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest land is free and doesn't require a reservation — standard 14-day stay limit applies. Stay out of any posted private ranch land; the boundary between public and private isn't always obvious out here.
What's the hardest section of the trail, and what should I actually expect?
There's no single technical crux — this is an easy route by overland standards. The trickiest part is navigation across the open high plains where the two-tracks multiply and signage disappears. A downloaded offline map or GPX track matters more than your skid plates on this one.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there water on route?
Laramie has full services and sits right at the western end of the trail — fuel up there before you head out. There's no reliable water source on the route itself, so carry what you need. Vedauwoo has a developed campground with water at the east end if you're coming from that direction.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
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