We Did the Research, This Is Officially the Shortest and Most Unique Hiking Trail in Wyoming

Wyoming has no shortage of iconic hikes. Craggy, towering peaks, sweeping ridgelines, vibrant canyon trails, and big-name national parks are all easy to find in the Cowboy State. What’s harder to come by is a trail that’s easy, off the radar, and entirely one-of-a-kind.

Hiding in plain sight in the rolling Sierra Madre foothills just outside Encampment, the short and sweet half-mile Indian Bathtubs Trail leads to a natural rock formation that looks like something from a science fiction set. Dozens of shallow granite pools, all perfectly rounded and oddly symmetrical, sit clustered and pockmarked along a weathered slope. Some are the size of soup bowls; others are big enough to climb into. Legend has it that local tribes may have used them ceremonially (hence the trail name), but whether they did or didn't, it's an incredibly unique spot that's worth visiting.

The trail starts unassumingly from a turnout along Highway 70 and winds through a patchwork of lodgepole pine, low brush, and open rock to about 8,300 feet. Uniquely, it's one of the shortest—if not the shortest—formal trail in Wyoming. But even though this unique hike is right on the outskirts of town, it's incredibly quiet out here. The trail is packed smooth and dusted with granite gravel, sometimes broken by rabbitbrush and bunchgrass, so it's doable for just about anyone on foot. It's a surprisingly diverse trek for how short it is, so even though it could easily take as little as ten minutes to hike, you're going to want to take your time.

This is high, dry country, so the air smells like pine, warm rock, and sagebrush the whole way. In spring and early summer, the wildflower meadows lining the trail bloom with arrowleaf balsamroot, lupine, and Indian paintbrush, along with a few dots of prickly pear cactus. The hum of bees flitting from shrub to shrub is incredibly relaxing and just feels like summer. Other than a few ancient fence posts and trail signs leaning off in different directions to keep you company, you’ll likely only be joined by the occasional red-tailed hawk circling above the ridgeline. Although, if you’re lucky, you might just see a mountain bluebird land on a branch ahead of you or a cottontail dart into the brush. However, note that this is also rattlesnake territory, so be alert. 

As the narrow dirt path meanders through the brush, the trail gains just enough elevation to offer some mesmerizing prairie views. On an overcast day, the colors across the horizon are even more vibrant, with the prairie's soft, neutral colors perfectly contrasting the sky's rich blue hues.

About a quarter mile in, the trail splits and climbs onto a low granite rise where the ancient bathtubs are located. Weathered into the bedrock over tens of thousands of years by wind, ice, and water, they don’t resemble any of Wyoming's other landmarks or natural wonders. Nevertheless, they're curious. And beautiful. You'll have to scramble a little to enjoy them up close, but it's nothing too strenuous.

Dry, the smooth, aptly-named granite bathtubs tickle the imagination (kids love them!), but after a rain or a long winter, they fill with water and shimmer like natural infinity pools tucked into the high desert.

That said, keep in mind that this is the desert. Even though it's a short one, the Indian Bathtubs Trail is completely exposed to the harsh Wyoming sunshine (or inclement weather, depending on the season). You'll also have to navigate a relatively steep descent down to the bottom, but you'll find a cool, crisp stream waiting to reward your efforts. But before you do, take a few moments to enjoy the scenery. This quiet, unassuming spot and the short journey to get here can get lost in the shuffle of bucket list hikes that Wyoming has come to be known for, but the setting alone makes it special.

Encampment and the larger Upper North Platte River Valley are a quieter part of Wyoming. With beautiful, wide-open rangeland everywhere you turn, the Sierra Madre Range doesn't attract the same crowds as the Tetons or Winds, which means you'll likely have the entire area to yourself. It’s a stark, but gorgeous, patchwork of pine forest, open hills, and old timber country. Beyond the bathtubs, the trail continues briefly to a small overlook where you can enjoy a wide-angle view of the Encampment River Valley and the broken ridges leading south toward the Colorado border. To the east, the forest thickens slightly, with mostly lodgepole pine and a few aspens tucked into drainages. No matter which direction you turn, the views are incredible.

Nearby, the charming, historic communities of Encampment and Riverside are still small towns in every sense, but have plenty to offer hungry travelers and hikers, and those looking to explore a historic corner of the state. The road to the Indian Bathtubs Trailhead—Battle Pass Scenic Byway—is one of the prettiest overlooked scenic drives in the state, especially in fall when the aspens flare up and traffic is nonexistent. There's a lot to love in this quiet, underrated slice of Cowboy Country, both before and after your hike!