Greys River Road
45-mile wilderness river corridor with 15 fords
Forest Service Road 10138 follows the Greys River for 45 miles from Alpine to the head of the drainage — Wyoming’s longest roadway without a bridge or building. This isn’t technical driving, but it’s serious backcountry commitment through the Wyoming Range where grizzlies outnumber people. The road crosses the river 15 times at established fords, with the deepest crossing at Murphy Creek requiring careful line selection during spring runoff.
Easy to moderate depending on water levels — any high-clearance vehicle handles it in summer, but consider 4WD during snowmelt. Open June through October, with best fishing and driest crossings in late summer. No permits required for the road, but wilderness camping rules apply along the corridor. Bring everything you need for self-rescue; cell service doesn’t exist and the nearest help is hours away. You’ll earn some of the most untouched wilderness fishing in the lower 48, plus elk and moose encounters that remind you this is still wild country.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 45 mi / 72.4 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7800 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Nearest town | Alpine, Wyoming |
| Land manager | Bridger-Teton National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| 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 | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Greys River Road, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 2WD truck handles this road fine in dry conditions. The 15 river fords are shallow enough for factory clearance most of the season, but a low-slung car or sedan will get hung up on rocky creek beds and bottom out on the fords.
When are the river fords actually safe to cross — early June seems sketchy?
Early June snowmelt pushes water levels up significantly and some fords can run knee-deep or higher on a tall person. Late June through September is the safe window; July through September is the sweet spot when crossings are reliably shallow and the road is dry.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to drive Greys River Road?
No permit and no fee required — it's a Bridger-Teton National Forest road open to the public. Dispersed camping is free; just follow the standard 14-day stay limit and camp 150 feet from the river.
What's the hardest part of the drive and what should I actually expect?
The repeated river fords are the only real challenge — 15 crossings on a 45-mile run means you're in the water regularly. None are technically demanding, but a few have loose rocky bottoms that can shift tires unexpectedly, so don't blast through them fast.
Is there any gas or cell service along Greys River Road, or do I need to plan for full isolation?
Zero cell service the entire 45 miles — plan accordingly and download offline maps before you leave Alpine. Fuel up in Alpine before you go; there's nothing along the corridor, and the nearest gas on the south end is Afton, Wyoming.
Trail track
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