Wyoming Off-Road Trails

The Black Mountain road is a short but scenic drive to an abandoned fire lookout tower perched on top of a rock formation at the summit of Black Mountain, with panoramic views all around. It starts passing through the middle of a Boy Scout camp before ascending steeply up the mountain, ultimately toping out at a small parking area at the base of the lookout tower. Though the lookout appears to not have been staffed in years and the main building is locked, you can climb the stairs to the catwalk surrounding it and see the entire valley spreading out below you, looking across to Laramie Peak.

The trail surface alternates between rutted dirt and rough rocks, with several small granite slab obstacles with ledges around a foot high. The overall difficulty is on the hard side of moderate. Stock SUVs with good clearance should be able to make it up fine, but careful tire placement will be needed. Some of the rocks can be quite sharp, so watch your sidewalls. While this road doesn't appear to be regularly used for camping, there are a couple of nice level patches along it that would make excellent campsites with great views. This road also accesses the Harris Park trailhead and a network of hiking trails around Laramie Peak, so you could spend days exploring the area.

Elk Ranch Road is a scenic backcountry route within the eastern stretches of Grand Teton National Park that offers a unique blend of history, terrain variety, and unmatched views of the iconic Teton Range. Beginning near US-89, the trail crosses open fields before arriving at the historic Elk Ranch cabins, a photogenic cluster of weathered homesteads that sit beneath the towering backdrop of the snow-capped peaks. From here, the road continues across lush, grassy flats and through a short but notable water crossing. This 1-2 foot deep water crossing is easily navigable for high-clearance vehicles, but impedes further traffic for low-clearance vehicles.

The surface is a mix of packed dirt and gravel, with shallow ruts and uneven sections that may challenge lower clearance vehicles after rain. While not technical, the route favors 4WD during or after wet conditions due to mud and water crossings. Beyond the cabins and creek, the trail opens into wide meadows with sweeping panoramas of the Tetons, arguably some of the best views in the park accessible by vehicle. Wildlife sightings are common, and the isolation offers a peaceful contrast to the busier park corridors. This spur eventually intersects with Wolf Ranch Road, which can then be used to return to the highway. This road is best enjoyed as an easygoing scenic drive or a detour for photography and light adventure. It is ideal for beginners seeking that true backcountry feel without the punishment of rock crawling.

Bailey Creek is a short, nearly 3-mile dead-end spur that leads to a tiny parcel of National Forest land sandwhiched between Grand Teton National Park and the Teton Wilderness. The drive winds through a dense pine canopy, past the willow layden Bailey Meadow, and terminates at a large grassy area popular with equestrian campers. Wildlife are common along the road, and bear activity is relatively high due to the remoteness of the road. The road is a single-vehicle wide two track for most of the trip, across a rough, rutty, and cobbly surface of rounded baseball and softball sized rocks. It gradually becomes rougher the farther along the road you travel, and mud pits are a common occurrence during wet periods. The only camping is found at the end of the road with plenty of level, grassy areas, and a single bear box.

Important Camping Notes:

• Camping in this area is restricted to designated sites only.
• A 5-day maximum stay limit is in effect from May 1st through Labor Day, and a 14-day limit the rest of the year.
• Bears are common in the area; thus, all food and attractants must be stored in bear-resistant containers or hard-sided vehicles.

Puwerae Road is a short camping spur off Toppings Lake Road that leads to designated campsite 27, offering stunning views of the Teton Range. The campsite lies less than a quarter mile from the start and is accessed by a fairly steep incline. At the top, a small, level clearing can accommodate three to four camping parties, depending on vehicle size. Some visitors choose to hike higher up the hillside to set up tents for better views and added privacy.

The site is accessible to trailers, but turning around can be difficult if the area is already occupied. Beyond the designated campsite, the road continues for about a mile as a rough and bumpy two-track. The surface is hard-packed bentonite, which becomes dangerously slick and impassable when wet. The road ends abruptly with little space to maneuver.

The area is filled with wildflowers, especially in early summer. High clearance is required to drive the entire trail, though 2WD is sufficient in dry conditions.

Important Camping Notes:

• Camping in this area is restricted to designated sites only.
• A 5-day maximum stay limit is in effect from May 1st through Labor Day, and a 14-day limit the rest of the year.
• Bears are common in the area; thus, all food and attractants must be stored in bear-resistant containers or hard-sided vehicles.
• Some campsites offer on-site bear boxes, but not all campsites do.

Taylor Ranch Road is a short and easy gravel spur off Gros Ventre Road that offers scenic lake views, several small campsites, and access to Lower Slide Lake. The road is open to the public for a brief stretch before it enters private ranch property.

Just before crossing the bridge, two small campsites can be found tucked into the trees along the river on the west side. After the bridge, there is a small cluster of campsites that could accommodate up to four groups, depending on spacing. This area also offers excellent beach access directly across from the campsites, making it a convenient spot for those looking to enjoy the lake.

The road ends shortly after this cluster at a manmade eagle's nest. It is best to turn around here, as there are no additional turnouts before reaching private property. While the drive is short, it provides a peaceful and scenic stop for camping or lake recreation near Lower Slide Lake.

Important Camping Notes:

• A 5-day maximum stay limit is in effect from May 1st through Labor Day, and a 14-day limit the rest of the year.
• Bears are common in the area; thus, all food and attractants must be stored in bear-resistant containers or hard-sided vehicles.

FS 30290C and 30290D are short, dead-end two-tracks that branch off Lower Spread Creek Road. Each leads to a designated campsite: Site 14 and Site 15.

Campsite 14 is the closer of the two, sitting above Lower Spread Creek with excellent northern views of the surrounding mountain terrain. It’s a spacious, level site with a partially grassy surface. Campsite 15 lies farther back in the pine forest, offering more solitude. While it lacks sweeping views, it's surrounded by wildflowers and has thicker ground cover, likely due to less vehicle traffic.

The trail surface to these sites is steep and composed of bentonite clay, which turns slick and unstable when wet. Deep ruts and erosion pockets scar the trail, making it clear this trail doesn’t handle moisture well. A high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is strongly recommended, and if rain is expected, rugged offroad tires are advised.

Important Camping Notes:

• Camping in this area is restricted to designated sites only.
• A 5-day maximum stay limit is in effect from May 1st through Labor Day, and a 14-day limit the rest of the year.
• Bears are common in the area; thus, all food and attractants must be stored in bear-resistant containers or hard-sided vehicles.
• Some campsites offer on-site bear boxes, but not all campsites do.

FS 30290A and 30290B are short spur roads that parallel Lower Spread Creek Road, providing access to designated campsites 7, 8, and 9. These spurs begin at the west end and progress eastward, with varying site types and road conditions along the way.

Campsite 7 sits at the western edge of the spur and overlooks the Spread Creek drainage. It’s a spacious, level site, large enough to accommodate RVs and trailers, with excellent views and room to spread out.

As the road continues east, it narrows and becomes increasingly rough, with several dips and exposed rocks up to 9 inches tall. While trailers can technically reach Campsites 8 and 9, maneuvering space is limited, and turning around may be difficult if the sites are already occupied by other large vehicles.

Campsite 8 is a wide, flat clearing near the treeline, featuring four to five fire rings and ample room for multiple camping parties. It offers a semi-shaded, open layout suitable for groups.

Campsite 9 is tucked into a cove at the mouth of the canyon, directly overlooking Spread Creek. This site is very large and open, with a dirt base that can comfortably host several parties or larger groups. Its seclusion and size make it a highly desirable site in the area.

Important Camping Notes:

• Camping in this area is restricted to designated sites only.
• A 5-day maximum stay limit is in effect from May 1st through Labor Day, and a 14-day limit the rest of the year.
• Bears are common in the area; thus, all food and attractants must be stored in bear-resistant containers or hard-sided vehicles.
• Some campsites offer on-site bear boxes, but not all campsites do.

White Mountain Road climbs onto the crest of White Mountain between Rock Springs and Green River, Wyoming, tracing a well-graded county road through the heart of the White Mountain Herd Management Area. The route crosses open sagebrush steppe with long, sweeping views over the Green River valley and the Rock Springs area, and it's a reliable place to spot the White Mountain wild horse herd, especially along the crest, as well as pronghorn and other wildlife. Several scenic pullouts along the way offer interpretive signs and displays on the area's history and landscape.

Drivers use this road primarily as a scenic and wildlife-viewing drive rather than a technical route or connector to other trails. The graded surface makes it suitable for passenger cars and stock high-clearance vehicles in dry conditions, though washboarding and mud after rain or snowmelt can make higher clearance and 4WD helpful. Dispersed camping is abundant on the BLM and private land sections, with plenty of spots found by pulling off onto side roads away from the main route; there are no designated campgrounds or facilities, so visitors should pack out what they pack in. The road crosses a checkerboard of BLM and private land, and while the private landowners cooperate with the BLM to allow recreational access, staying on the established route and respecting any posted signage is important, and no special permits are required.

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.