The Alkali Creek WSA encompasses 10,100 acres of BLM-administered land
surrounding an island of private lands totaling 680 acres. This WSA contains
outstanding opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation. The land in
the WSA in relatively unencumbered by human-made features; one could expect to
use the area without constantly encountering reminders of human presence. The
size of the unit may be somewhat confining for some recreational pursuits;
however, the rugged character of the landscape, the topographic and vegetative
diversity of the area, and the lack of human-made confinements such as fences
tend to counter the potential restriction of activity due to size. In
addition, the outstanding scenic vistas of the surrounding mountains and the
basin enhance the recreational values.

The Alkali Creek WSA encompasses 10,100 acres of BLM-administered land surrounding an island of private lands totaling 680 acres. This WSA contains outstanding opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation. The land in the WSA in relatively unencumbered by human-made features; one could expect to use the area without constantly encountering reminders of human presence. The size of the unit may be somewhat confining for some recreational pursuits; however, the rugged character of the landscape, the topographic and vegetative diversity of the area, and the lack of human-made confinements such as fences tend to counter the potential restriction of activity due to size. In addition, the outstanding scenic vistas of the surrounding mountains and the basin enhance the recreational values.

Bird's eye view of the park

Alkali Creek WSA

The Trapper Creek WSA encompasses 7,200 acres of BLM-administered public land
with no private or state inholdings. Trapper Creek is one of the most
spectacular canyons on the west slope of the Bighorns. It is characterized by
the dramatic vertical relief of the cliffs, spires and massive rock outcrops
of the canyon walls, the presence of a clear cascading stream and the rich
color combinations. It contains important habitat for rare and endangered
species such as bald eagles and peregrine falcons and is crucial winter range
for elk and deer. The lower entrance to Great Expectations Cave (Great X) is
located in the WSA. The elevation difference between the lower and upper
entrances is 1,403 feet, making Great X the third-deepest cave in the United
States. The Trapper Creek unit provides outstanding opportunities for
primitive and unconfined recreation. These activities could include hiking,
spelunking, mountain climbing, hunting, fishing and other activities such as
photography, nature study and wildlife observation.

The Trapper Creek WSA encompasses 7,200 acres of BLM-administered public land with no private or state inholdings. Trapper Creek is one of the most spectacular canyons on the west slope of the Bighorns. It is characterized by the dramatic vertical relief of the cliffs, spires and massive rock outcrops of the canyon walls, the presence of a clear cascading stream and the rich color combinations. It contains important habitat for rare and endangered species such as bald eagles and peregrine falcons and is crucial winter range for elk and deer. The lower entrance to Great Expectations Cave (Great X) is located in the WSA. The elevation difference between the lower and upper entrances is 1,403 feet, making Great X the third-deepest cave in the United States. The Trapper Creek unit provides outstanding opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation. These activities could include hiking, spelunking, mountain climbing, hunting, fishing and other activities such as photography, nature study and wildlife observation.

Trapper Creek WSA

Bird's eye view of the campground

Group Shelter

Lower Campground

Middle Campground

Upper Campground

Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site

The Medicine Lodge WSA encompasses 7,740 acres of BLM-administered land with
no private or state inholdings. The WSA consists of spectacular canyon walls
towering 1,000 feet above Medicine Lodge Creek. Elevations range between 5,100
and 8,500 feet. The area includes crucial winter range for elk and deer.
Bighorn sheep may use parts of the WSA as summer range. Rich color
combinations, vertical or nearly vertical cliffs, spires and formations;
variation in form, pattern, texture and type of vegetation; and presence of
free-flowing, cascading water make the WSA highly scenic. Medicine Lodge WSA
contains outstanding opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation.
Opportunities for hiking and climbing exist in Medicine Lodge Canyon. Medicine
Lodge Creek is a trout fishery of regional importance. Opportunity for fishing
appears greatest in the lower reaches of the creek. Excellent wildlife viewing
and hunting opportunities exist throughout the WSA. The juniper belt provides
cover and forage for deer. The shrub-steppe areas draw elk in the fall and
winter months. Both species are hunted heavily. Opportunities for viewing and
hunting small game, predators, and upland birds are also present throughout
the unit.

The Medicine Lodge WSA encompasses 7,740 acres of BLM-administered land with no private or state inholdings. The WSA consists of spectacular canyon walls towering 1,000 feet above Medicine Lodge Creek. Elevations range between 5,100 and 8,500 feet. The area includes crucial winter range for elk and deer. Bighorn sheep may use parts of the WSA as summer range. Rich color combinations, vertical or nearly vertical cliffs, spires and formations; variation in form, pattern, texture and type of vegetation; and presence of free-flowing, cascading water make the WSA highly scenic. Medicine Lodge WSA contains outstanding opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation. Opportunities for hiking and climbing exist in Medicine Lodge Canyon. Medicine Lodge Creek is a trout fishery of regional importance. Opportunity for fishing appears greatest in the lower reaches of the creek. Excellent wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities exist throughout the WSA. The juniper belt provides cover and forage for deer. The shrub-steppe areas draw elk in the fall and winter months. Both species are hunted heavily. Opportunities for viewing and hunting small game, predators, and upland birds are also present throughout the unit.

Medicine Lodge WSA

This challenging 3/4-mile trail leads to the magnificent Paint Rock Canyon and
is a steep and rocky journey to Paint Rock Creek where it meets the Paint Rock
Canyon Trail. The route to the Lone Tree Trail is marked by a sign on the Cold
Springs Road, about 6 miles beyond the Paint Rock Canyon trailhead.  
  
Horses or mountain bikes are not recommended on the Lone Tree Trail.

This challenging 3/4-mile trail leads to the magnificent Paint Rock Canyon and is a steep and rocky journey to Paint Rock Creek where it meets the Paint Rock Canyon Trail. The route to the Lone Tree Trail is marked by a sign on the Cold Springs Road, about 6 miles beyond the Paint Rock Canyon trailhead. Horses or mountain bikes are not recommended on the Lone Tree Trail.

A river meanders through the bottom of a rocky canyon.

Lone Tree Trail

The Paint Rock Canyon Trail extends 5 miles up the canyon alongside Paint Rock
Creek, a topnotch trout stream. The steep canyon walls and massive rocks make
this trail highly scenic, and it is the only canyon along the west slope of
the Bighorn Mountains with a maintained trail. Paint Rock Creek is a superb
fishery for rainbow, brown, brook, and cutthroat trout.

The Paint Rock Canyon Trail extends 5 miles up the canyon alongside Paint Rock Creek, a topnotch trout stream. The steep canyon walls and massive rocks make this trail highly scenic, and it is the only canyon along the west slope of the Bighorn Mountains with a maintained trail. Paint Rock Creek is a superb fishery for rainbow, brown, brook, and cutthroat trout.

Paint Rock Canyon Trail

The Red Gulch/Alkali National Backcountry Byway is a 32-mile scenic drive on
improved gravel and dirt roads through the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains.
Near each of the two entrances to this historic route you will see a National
Backcountry Byway kiosk which provides historical information about the byway
as well as road conditions.  
  
The steep, rugged canyons cut into the mountains along the byway and offer
many challenging and interesting hiking opportunities. Among the wondrous
sights you may see are hoodoos. These strange, artistic rock formations were
carved over the centuries by Wyoming's wind.  
  
Get Away From It All  
  
Dayhike or backpack into one of three areas nominated for the National
Wilderness Preservation System.  
  
The Alkali and Red Gulch roads serve as boundaries for the Alkali Creek
Wilderness Study Area, known for its fascinating rock formations.  
  
Superb fishing is common in the dramatic Medicine Lodge Canyon, a part of the
Medicine Lodge Wilderness Study Area.  
  
Trapper Creek Wilderness Study Area lies a few miles north of the Alkali/Red
Gulch intersection and offers an impressive view into Trapper Canyon. This is
one of the most spectacular canyons on the western slope of the Bighorn
Mountains. Access into Trapper Canyon is very difficult and permission to
cross privately-owned land is necessary.

The Red Gulch/Alkali National Backcountry Byway is a 32-mile scenic drive on improved gravel and dirt roads through the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains. Near each of the two entrances to this historic route you will see a National Backcountry Byway kiosk which provides historical information about the byway as well as road conditions. The steep, rugged canyons cut into the mountains along the byway and offer many challenging and interesting hiking opportunities. Among the wondrous sights you may see are hoodoos. These strange, artistic rock formations were carved over the centuries by Wyoming's wind. Get Away From It All Dayhike or backpack into one of three areas nominated for the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Alkali and Red Gulch roads serve as boundaries for the Alkali Creek Wilderness Study Area, known for its fascinating rock formations. Superb fishing is common in the dramatic Medicine Lodge Canyon, a part of the Medicine Lodge Wilderness Study Area. Trapper Creek Wilderness Study Area lies a few miles north of the Alkali/Red Gulch intersection and offers an impressive view into Trapper Canyon. This is one of the most spectacular canyons on the western slope of the Bighorn Mountains. Access into Trapper Canyon is very difficult and permission to cross privately-owned land is necessary.

A butte with gold colored grass in the foreground and a stromy sky in the background

Alkali Creek WSA

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Trapper Creek WSA

Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site

Medicine Lodge WSA

Lone Tree Trail

Paint Rock Canyon Trail

Red Gulch/Alkali Backcountry Byway