
Snowy Range Pass is one of the most beautiful drives in Wyoming
Usa, north-america
42.16 km
3,310 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, road trip fans, let's talk Snowy Range Pass in Wyoming! This beauty sits way up high at 10,859 feet, making it one of the highest drives in the state. You'll find it straddling Albany and Carbon counties in southern Wyoming, and the name is no joke – expect snow, even in summer!
Originally built as a wagon road back in the 1870s (can you imagine?!), it got paved in the 30s and was dubbed the "Great Skyroad." Now it’s Wyoming Highway 130, the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, and it's a fabulously scenic alternative to boring old I-80.
This two-lane paved road is good to go for any vehicle. The route stretches for about 26 miles between Ryan Park and Centennial.
Keep in mind it does get steep in sections, with some ramps hitting almost 10% grades.
Winding through the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, this road is a seasonal superstar. It usually shuts down around mid-November and doesn't reopen until Memorial Day weekend, thanks to the heavy snow. They don’t plow it during the winter.
Give yourself about an hour to enjoy this drive. Trust me, you’ll want to stop. The Snowy Range Mountains offer views galore, and there are tons of picnic spots, campgrounds, and places to just soak it all in. Lakes are everywhere for fishing or just chilling by the water. And remember to watch out for wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk! Prepare for deep, glacial lakes, meadows that look like paintings, rushing mountain streams, and peaks that will absolutely blow you away.
Where is it?
Snowy Range Pass is one of the most beautiful drives in Wyoming is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 38.7414, -102.6937
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 42.16 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,310 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 38.7414, -102.6937
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