With spring just around the corner, it’s time to start planning a hiking excursion so you can enjoy the warmer weather and beautiful scenery of Casper, Wyoming. Here are five excellent hiking spots in the Casper area.
1. Platte River Trail
Platte River Trail is the jewel of Casper’s community trail system. It stretches along 11 miles of the North Platte River Corridor. The trail is suitable for hikers of all ages and abilities. The trail also accommodates cycling, rollerblading, disc golf, nature viewing, as well as fishing and boating access. While hiking the trail, be sure to keep an eye out for area wildlife, including mule deer, beaver, and geese. Another highlight is the Tate Pumphouse, a beautiful place to stop and have a picnic.
2. Rotary Park
Inside Rotary Park, you’ll find the gorgeous Garden Creek Falls and the Bridle Trail trailhead. The trail has two loops. The main loop is 5 miles long and rises 1,200 feet up Casper Mountain. It features a tunnel called “split rock.” While intermediate hikers can tackle the main loop in just under three hours, it is not suitable for anyone with health issues or low stamina. There is a shorter loop on the west side of Rotary park ideal for inexperienced hikers.
3. Eadsville Trail
Although the Eadsville Trail is a 3-mile trek at the top of Casper Mountain, it has a moderate rating due to minimal elevation gain. The trail starts at Skunk Hollow and traverses through beautiful pine forests. There are also stunning mountain views. You also might see a mule deer or two.
4. Pathfinder Dam Interpretive Trail
The 1.7-mile Pathfinder Dam Interpretative Trail travels up, down, and around Pathfinder Dam. As you hike along the trail, you’ll see rock formations of igneous and granite. Area wildlife includes golden eagles, hawks, and Canada geese. Keep an eye out for lizards, chipmunks, and snakes.
A swinging bridge was built in the early 1900s to connect the dam with the engineer’s camp. It was rebuilt in 1995 and is one of the more fascinating stretches of the trail. After you cross the bridge, you’ll notice foundations marking where the engineering offices and residences once stood. There is one building still standing on the site, which historians believe once served as a jail. Once you’ve passed the camp, be sure to take the 0.2-mile overlook trail to the canyon rim.
5. Muddy Mountain Environmental Education Area
The Muddy Mountain Environmental Education Area features a 2-mile interpretative nature trail connecting the Lodgepole and Rim campgrounds. The trail is handicap accessible and is limited to hiking. Two overlooks provide incredible views of Muddy Mountain Valley. The trail traverses through forest, sagebrush, and grasslands that serve as a habitat for fox, antelope, and elk. Another trail, located inside a 700-acre nature area, is open to hikers, mountain bikers, and those traveling by horseback.
These are just some of the fantastic hiking spots around Casper. No matter which one you visit, you’re sure to have a wonderful time.
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