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Trips & Routes

Take A Springtime Drive Through The Vibrant And Colorful Mountains Of Wyoming

Battle Pass Scenic Byway in Wyoming offers stunning views, colorful wildflowers, and rich history, making it a must-visit scenic drive.

Updated Feb 26, 2024

Written by 

Kim Magaraci

History, scenery, and high mountain passes all come together on this underrated Wyoming scenic byway. The drive through the Sierra Madre Mountains is one of the best scenic drives in Wyoming and an excellent way to explore the springtime beauty of the Cowboy State! Like many mountain highways in Wyoming, Battle Pass Scenic Byway is closed in winter, but once it opens mid-spring, it shows off beautiful views, colorful wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife.

Exploring our state is always an adventure, but there’s so much to see beyond its borders! Sign up for our Bucket List Newsletter to see must-visit destinations throughout the nation and inspire your travels, both near and far.

Battle Pass Scenic Byway is an underrated stretch of WY-70 that takes you from the town of Encampment to Baggs, Wyoming.

A scenic view of a mountainous landscape with green trees, snow patches, and a clear blue sky.
Facebook / Wyoming Dept of Transportation

The byway stretches for nearly 60 miles and shows off the stunning beauty of the often-overlooked Sierra Madre Mountains.

A black truck drives along a winding road surrounded by snow and tall pine trees under a clear blue sky.
Facebook / Wyoming Dept of Transportation

The byway crosses the Continental Divide and reaches its highest elevation Battle Pass, which brings you 9,911 feet above sea level.

Sign at Battle Pass, elevation 9,955 ft, marking the Continental Divide with surrounding pine trees and mountains.
Wikimedia Commons / Ericshawwhite

This Wyoming scenic byway takes you through the town of Battle, which was founded by pioneers in Carbon County. Many abandoned structures are still standing!

A weathered log cabin sits on a grassy hillside under a clear blue sky, surrounded by rocky terrain.
Facebook / Wyoming Dept of Transportation

Photographers frequently drive the Battle Pass Scenic Byway in the fall in order to catch photos of Aspen Alley.

A serene pathway lined with tall, white-barked trees and colorful autumn foliage on either side.
Courtesy of the Carbon County Visitors Council

These stunning Quaking Aspens are the backdrop of many familiar Wyoming scenes!

A winding road through a forest under a starry night sky, captured in black and white.
Google Local / Kyle Cook

Look out for the turnout two miles west of the Divide, where you can see Battle Lake and a memorial to Thomas Edison, who was inspired by a camping trip through the Sierra Madres.

Sign at Battle Pass, marking the Continental Divide, surrounded by grassy terrain and evergreen trees. Elevation: 9,155 feet.
Tripadvisor / Jeduweb

Make time to enjoy the beauty of springtime in the Cowboy State when you drive the Battle Pass Scenic Byway. You'll be discovering a section of Wyoming that's often overlooked, and you'll be rewarded with stunning views and an impressive history lesson.

To learn more about the history of Carbon County and of Battle Pass itself, be sure to plan a visit to The Grand Encampment Museum before you head out of town!

Feeling proud to live in Wyoming? You should! Wear your state pride on your sleeve when you check out this unique apparel collection from Wear Your Roots.

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