Wyoming's Bighorn National Forest Is Breathtaking Under A Blanket Of Fresh Snow
By Kim Magaraci|Published November 27, 2019
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Kim Magaraci
Author
Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
Winter in Wyoming is truly something special – and there are millions of acres to explore if you love bundling up and getting out into the snow! Read about how winter in Bighorn National Forest should be at the top of everyone’s winter adventure list and plan your next chilly excursion.
Wyoming often sees its first snowflakes months before the rest of the country - and if you live up in the mountains, chances are you can track down some snow most of the year.
One of the most beautiful winter wonderlands in the state is Bighorn National Forest, and if you're yet to see it under a blanket of fresh snow, you've got to make it a priority.
The forest consists of nearly 200,000 acres of wilderness, plus 30 front country campgrounds, numerous interpretive sites, and thousands of miles of trails.
One of the best ways to see this Wyoming wonder is via nordic ski trail! There are five groomed and maintained cross country ski areas that make for a fun winter outing.
Snowmobilers also take to the hills when the powder is fresh. It's often quieter and more remote than more popular sled areas, like the Wind River Range.
Of course, there are plenty of ways to see winter in Bighorn National Forest without having to plan an arctic outing. Shell Falls is an example of a roadside site that's beautiful, and only a short walk from a typically clear parking area.
Bighorn National Forest was one of the first national parks in the country, and there are still relics from history hiding. One such treasure, the James T. Saban Fire Lookout, is still standing and worth checking out.
Whether you spend a few nights backpacking through the snow, enjoy a day hike, hit the trails on skis or sleds, or just hang out close to the trails for beautiful photographs, winter in Bighorn National Forest is sure to impress any nature lover.
For more information on winter in Bighorn National Forest, visit the Forest Service website here. As always, when you go exploring in Wyoming, be sure to let someone know your plans and carry plenty of emergency supplies.
