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Home › Wyoming › Turtle Rock Loop Trail
About the Trail
This loop provides spectacular views of granite cliffs and boulders. In addition, it passes by beaver ponds where wildlife can be seen frequently.
Map
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Directions
From Laramie From the Interstate 80 and Interstate 25 interchange in Cheyenne, drive about 30 miles and get off at exit 329. Take a right and follow Vedauwoo Glen Road about 1.2 miles. Next take a left and pay a day use fee at the winter parking area. Next follow forest road 720 O.5 miles and take a left toward the Box Canyon Picnic Site (Straight goes to the eastern trailhead for the Turtle Rock Trail). At the bottom of the hill take left for the eastern Turtle Rock Trailhead.
Description
From the Turtle Rock East Trailhead, the trail skirts around a huge boulder and passes through a gate. It travels through an aspen forest with cliffs on the right. Soon it reaches a meadow that provides excellent views of the rocks and cliffs. At the end of the meadow, be sure to look behind you a rock that resembles a dog's head. Now the trail passes a spur on the left that leads to a beaver pond. After this, the trail pass a tall cliff with an opening in it. The trail then passes by another beaver pond and continues in the valley by 2 other ponds. At the second pond (usually dry) the trail enters a pine forest and goes up a hill. It then travels on a flat rock with a drop-off on the left and then descends on some rocks that can be tricky to descend when it is icy. The trail levels off and reaches a junction. There is a scenic pond just to the left. To continue the loop, hike up the hill and enter a meadow with nice views of Turtle Rock. After this, the trail climbs some more and continues in a pine forest. Eventually, the trail passes by a ledgy area with two huge boulders and then descends to an old road. Take a right and descend to a small cascade before ascending and passing through a gate. After the gate, take a left at a junction next to the picnic area.
| Hike Facts | Trailhead Facts | Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥾 Trail Features: | Views of cliffs, boulders, beaver ponds and wildlife viewing | 🥾 Parking: | The western parking lot can fit about 10 cars. The eastern parking lot is about the same. Recreational vehicles and those with trailers cannot fit in these parking lots and should park in the winter parking lot by the fee sign. | 🥾Nearest Services | Laramie, Wyoming to the west has the closest services. Buford, Wyoming has a gas station. |
| 🥾 Milage: | 2.5 mi /4.02 km loop; An extra 1.2 miles round trip is needed during the winter months for a total of 3.7 miles. | 🥾 Acccess Road: | Paved | 🥾 Nearest Lodging: | Laramie, Wy and Cheyenne, Wy have plenty of lodging options. |
| 🥾 Elevation Gain: | 321 ft/ 97.8 m | 🥾 Trailhead Features: | Signs, vault toilets, picnic tables | 🥾 Nearest Camping: | Vedauwoo Campground is right next to the trailhead. The campground opens when the snow melts and closes on October 27. Reservations are not needed. Sites are $10 per night. |
| 🥾 Trail Use/Surface: | 🥾 Trailhead Elevation: | 8204 ft/ 2500.58 m | |||
| 🥾 Pets: | Dogs must be on a leash | 🥾 Park Hours: | The parking areas are for day use only, but the trail can be done at all hours. | ||
| 🥾 Crowds: | Can be busy in areas, but never crowded | 🥾 Fee: | $5.00 per day per car | ||
| 🥾 Bugs: | Bugs are bad in the spring and summer | 🥾 Best Season: | All year, however it can be very icy and windy during the winter. |
Handicap Acccessibility
No
Tips for a Great Hike
🥾 Carry water and bring proper clothing as it is windy during the fall, winter and early spring.
🥾 The loop is accessible from the campground by a spur trail. In addition, the loop is accessible year round from the winter trailhead.
🥾 Wildlife like moose and deer are common along the trail. Do not get close to them.
🥾 Follow the arrows to stay on the main trail.
🥾
Recommended Resources
Hiking Wyoming's Medicine Bow National Forest 5th Edition By Marc Smith
nat forest trailhead page link