Irish Canyon Trail

Irish Canyon Road begins at the Irish Canyon Snowmobile Trailhead off Big Sandy Elkhorn Road, where a large staging area provides plenty of room for airing down, trucks with trailers, off-road RVs, and other larger rigs. Starting at roughly 7,283 feet, the trail initially follows smooth, compacted dirt and sand before quickly beginning its climb out of the valley and into the surrounding foothills. Four-wheel drive is useful as the grade increases, and several attractive dispersed campsites can be found at the end of side spurs. However, the trail crosses a patchwork of BLM, private, and Wyoming state trust lands, so pay close attention to posted signs and camping restrictions.

As the trail gains elevation, the terrain gradually becomes rougher, transitioning from scattered grapefruit-sized rocks into larger, more embedded rock near the upper portions of the route. One narrower section has a mild shelf-road feel, and because the trail is open to two-way traffic, drivers should be prepared to encounter vehicles in tighter areas. The scenery steadily improves with elevation as open sagebrush gives way to aspen groves and eventually dense pine forest, with some upper sections becoming narrow enough for trees and branches to crowd the trail. Near the end, the road reaches a fork where both routes appear to transition into narrower ATV-oriented trails as they continue into the National Forest. The route is easily traveled during summer conditions, while the trailhead and corridor appear to be primarily used for snowmobiles during winter. No posted seasonal opening or closure dates were observed along the BLM portion of the road, but the upper, ATV portion within the National Forest is seasonal, only open 5/1-11/30.