Turtle Rock Hike in Vedauwoo Wyoming
Written By: Sarah Reish
Vedauwoo was the first place Steve ever took me camping. It has always been a favorite of ours, now that we live in the northern part of the state we haven’t been able to make it there very often. When our trip to Laramie came up we jumped at the chance to head back to one of our favorite places. Katelyn recommended this hike and we loved it!
The History
Vedauwoo is located in Medicine Bow National Forest. The name Vedauwoo is Arapaho and means earth-born. The granite rock formations are stacked upon each other look like they were fitted together by expert masons. In the 1930’s Vedauwoo became a popular destination for camping, picnicking, and outdoor recreation. Today it is still a must see destination for those looking for an amazing outdoor adventure.
The Hike
We arrived at the trailhead early morning and headed out. The trail circles a beautiful rock formation and follows a grove of aspen. The fall colors were gorgeous and the morning was cool and still, making for a lovely morning hike. Along the way we saw deer, chipmunks, but missed the moose seen on the trail earlier that morning. Turtle Rock Trail loops and there are arrows along the way so you do not follow animal trails or trails to climbing areas. Overall, I loved this hike, it satisfied my need to get out into nature and enjoy the transition into the fall season.
The Activities
There are so many things to enjoy in Vedauwoo, the most popular being rock climbing and hiking. We came across a couple of climbers hiking the trail and heading to a rock climbing area. The campground and picnic areas are beautiful and I doubt there is a bad spot in the entire park. Guests can choose to pay and go into the climbing area or drive past the entrance and take a gravel road to dispersed camping. That is the area we frequent when camping.
The Iconic Rocks
One of my favorite things to do is climb around and explore on the rocks. When camping we have climbed up onto some rocky areas and laid out and watched the stars fill the sky. Very few places I have been have anything like the wonders of Vedauwoo. Even if you only have a short time in your schedule, take some of that time and head out to this wonderful and beautiful place.
The details:
Vedauwoo opens June 1st - November 1st, but that is dependent upon weather.
Fees- $5 for the day or $10 for overnight.
Amenities- Trash, vault toilets, picnic tables, potable water, first come first serve.
Hit the road!
Get outdoors while the season is at its most beautiful! Be sure to snap some photos and share on social media! Tag us @LiveWYldMag and use #LiveWYld
