The Gardner Mountain Wilderness Study Area (WSA) encompasses 6,423 acres of
public land with no state or private inholdings.  
  
The area is generally rugged terrain of the southern Bighorn Mountains
dominated by pine, scattered mountain mahogany, and meadows. Beartrap Creek
and the North Fork of the Red Fork of the Powder River flow through the area
in deep, steep-walled canyons.  
  
Part of the Dull Knife Battlefield, a National Historic Site, extends into the
southern part of the area.  
  
The Gardner Mountain WSA offers outstanding opportunities for primitive and
unconfined recreation in the forms of hiking, fishing, hunting, and
sightseeing. The steep canyon walls, limited number of access points and steep
mountainous terrain are natural barriers that affect human movement within the
WSA and enhance the primitive character.  
  
There is no direct public access to the Gardner Mountain WSA. Access is
predominately controlled by adjacent private landowners and landowner
permission is required to cross any private lands. However, the area may be
legally accessed via the Gardner Mountain Trail in combination with cross-
country travel through steep topography.  
  
The Gardner Mountain Foot and Horse Trail is open to hikers and horseback
riders. It ambles through a mountain meadow and then follows a ridgeline
overlooking the Gardner Mountain WSA.  
  
Please respect private property boundary signs and practice Leave No Trace! A
land status map and compass or GPS unit are strongly recommended.

The Gardner Mountain Wilderness Study Area (WSA) encompasses 6,423 acres of public land with no state or private inholdings.  The area is generally rugged terrain of the southern Bighorn Mountains dominated by pine, scattered mountain mahogany, and meadows. Beartrap Creek and the North Fork of the Red Fork of the Powder River flow through the area in deep, steep-walled canyons.  Part of the Dull Knife Battlefield, a National Historic Site, extends into the southern part of the area.  The Gardner Mountain WSA offers outstanding opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation in the forms of hiking, fishing, hunting, and sightseeing. The steep canyon walls, limited number of access points and steep mountainous terrain are natural barriers that affect human movement within the WSA and enhance the primitive character.  There is no direct public access to the Gardner Mountain WSA. Access is predominately controlled by adjacent private landowners and landowner permission is required to cross any private lands. However, the area may be legally accessed via the <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/gardner-mountain-trail" rel="nofollow">Gardner Mountain Trail</a> in combination with cross-country travel through steep topography.  The Gardner Mountain Foot and Horse Trail is open to hikers and horseback riders. It ambles through a mountain meadow and then follows a ridgeline overlooking the Gardner Mountain WSA.  Please respect private property boundary signs and practice Leave No Trace! A land status map and compass or GPS unit are strongly recommended.

Gardner Mountain WSA backcountry photo

Gardner Mountain WSA

The North Fork of the Powder River WSA encompasses 10,089 acres of public land
with no state or private inholdings. The area is moderately steep, forested
terrain, with pine and fir being the principle tree species. Pass Creek and
the North Fork of the Powder River are rugged, scenic canyons running through
the area. Falcons, hawks and eagles migrate through the area and elk winter in
the North Fork Canyon.  
  
The WSA offers outstanding opportunities to experience primitive recreation
because visitors can participate in hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, and
sightseeing. Recreational use of the major canyons will be limited for the
most part to canyon bottoms. Access points into those canyons are limited; the
canyons are very steep and rocky.  
  
There is no direct public access to the North Fork Wilderness Study Area.
Access is controlled by adjacent private landowners and landowner permission
is required to cross any private lands.

The North Fork of the Powder River WSA encompasses 10,089 acres of public land with no state or private inholdings. The area is moderately steep, forested terrain, with pine and fir being the principle tree species. Pass Creek and the North Fork of the Powder River are rugged, scenic canyons running through the area. Falcons, hawks and eagles migrate through the area and elk winter in the North Fork Canyon. The WSA offers outstanding opportunities to experience primitive recreation because visitors can participate in hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, and sightseeing. Recreational use of the major canyons will be limited for the most part to canyon bottoms. Access points into those canyons are limited; the canyons are very steep and rocky. There is no direct public access to the North Fork Wilderness Study Area. Access is controlled by adjacent private landowners and landowner permission is required to cross any private lands.

Site photo

North Fork of the Powder River WSA

The Middle Fork Powder River area is located about 21 miles southwest of
Kaycee, Wyoming, in a spectacularly scenic part of the state that is rich with
the legend of Old West outlaw activity from the late 1800s.  
  
A red-wall canyon is visible from much of the Middle Fork area, which boasts
excellent hunting and fishing opportunities.  
  
The Outlaw Cave Campground is located within the Middle Fork Powder River
recreation area. This campground is a fee-free site that includes a vault
toilet. However, there is no potable water source.  
  
Please remember to keep vehicles, including OHVs, on designated routes. If you
plan on venturing beyond the campground, we recommend that you have a high-
clearance vehicle, as some of these roads are very primitive. We also
recommend that you do not venture out into these areas during periods of
inclement weather. The recreation area is closed to motorized use during the
winter from January 1 through April 14.  
  
The Ed O. Taylor Wildlife Habitat Management Area is located west of the
Outlaw Cave Campground. Travel within the region is recommended for high
clearance 4WD vehicles only. The Ed O. Taylor area is closed to human presence
January 1 through May 14 for wildlife protection.  
  
Legal public access is available from Outlaw Cave Campground to the border of
the first private land parcel, approximately 9 miles to the west. There is no
legal public access between Outlaw Cave and Hole-in-the-Wall or between Outlaw
Cave Campground and Hazelton Road. Access across any private land parcels
requires permission from the landowner.

The Middle Fork Powder River area is located about 21 miles southwest of Kaycee, Wyoming, in a spectacularly scenic part of the state that is rich with the legend of Old West outlaw activity from the late 1800s. 
 
A red-wall canyon is visible from much of the Middle Fork area, which boasts excellent hunting and fishing opportunities. 
 
The <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/outlaw-cave-campground" rel="nofollow">Outlaw Cave Campground</a> is located within the Middle Fork Powder River recreation area. This campground is a fee-free site that includes a vault toilet. However, there is no potable water source. 
 
Please remember to keep vehicles, including OHVs, on designated routes. If you plan on venturing beyond the campground, we recommend that you have a high-clearance vehicle, as some of these roads are very primitive. We also recommend that you do not venture out into these areas during periods of inclement weather. The recreation area is closed to motorized use during the winter from January 1 through April 14. 
 
The Ed O. Taylor Wildlife Habitat Management Area is located west of the Outlaw Cave Campground. Travel within the region is recommended for high clearance 4WD vehicles only. The Ed O. Taylor area is closed to human presence January 1 through May 14 for wildlife protection. 
 
Legal public access is available from Outlaw Cave Campground to the border of the first private land parcel, approximately 9 miles to the west. There is no legal public access between Outlaw Cave and Hole-in-the-Wall or between Outlaw Cave Campground and Hazelton Road. Access across any private land parcels requires permission from the landowner.

The Powder River meanders along rocks on a sunny day.

Middle Fork Powder River

The Outlaw Cave Trail begins at the Outlaw Cave Campground and provides access
to the Middle Fork of the Powder River. The 1/2 mile trail descends steeply
into Middle Fork Canyon, dropping nearly 500 feet in elevation before
intersecting the river just opposite the infamous Outlaw Cave. There is no
bridge across the river; please use caution if attempting to cross.  
  
Before you start, we recommend that you do not venture out into these areas
during periods of inclement weather. Outlaw Cave Road is closed to motorized
use during the winter from January 1 through April 14. Please respect private
property rights and all posted signs.

The Outlaw Cave Trail begins at the <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/outlaw-cave-campground" rel="nofollow">Outlaw Cave Campground</a> and provides access to the Middle Fork of the Powder River. The 1/2 mile trail descends steeply into Middle Fork Canyon, dropping nearly 500 feet in elevation before intersecting the river just opposite the infamous Outlaw Cave. There is no bridge across the river; please use caution if attempting to cross. 
 
Before you start, we recommend that you do not venture out into these areas during periods of inclement weather. Outlaw Cave Road is closed to motorized use during the winter from January 1 through April 14. Please respect private property rights and all posted signs.

A cave stands above a raging river with white caps.

Outlaw Cave

Outlaw Cave Trail

Astride a blue-ribbon trout stream, this remote and picturesque campground
features five camping sites with fire rings, restroom and drinking water. Use
of the area is free with a 14-day limit on camping (as on all public lands).
The Middle Fork of the Powder River Campground, located at an elevation of
7,500 feet, is open from May through September.

Astride a blue-ribbon trout stream, this remote and picturesque campground features five camping sites with fire rings, restroom and drinking water. Use of the area is free with a 14-day limit on camping (as on all public lands). The Middle Fork of the Powder River Campground, located at an elevation of 7,500 feet, is open from May through September.

Gardner Mountain WSA

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

North Fork of the Powder River WSA

Middle Fork Powder River

Outlaw Cave Trail

Middle Fork of the Powder River Campground

Middle Fork of the Powder River Campground