Vedauwoo is an Arapaho word meaning "Land of the Earthborn Spirit." It is an area of fantastic granite rock formations located in the Laramie Range on the Medicine Bow National Forest in southeast Wyoming just off of Interstate 80 between Cheyenne and Laramie. This is a popular area for climbing, bouldering, hiking, biking, picnicking, and camping.

Vedauwoo is pronounced Vee-da-voo and is known to some as the "Joshua Tree of the North." There are enough rocks and walls to climb to keep a climber busy for a very, very long time! But the granite crystals of the rock are large and very rough, so tape is a must for your hands. This website is a great resource for finding more info about climbing routes. Also see the routes added to this page to the left.

This area is also fun for non-climbers. A suggested hike is the 3-mile trail called the Turtle Rock Trail. Go in the fall and you'll see the beautiful aspen groves along this trail turn gold. Also watch for beaver in the ponds and other wildlife including deer and raptors. You can also hike through the picnic area and up the Vedauwoo Box Canyon for a great overall view of the area. Vedauwoo can also make for a nice winter retreat. Park at the campground entrance and snowshoe or ski the Turtle Rock or Box Canyon Trails. Even if it's windy the air in the Box Canyon is often still.

Getting There

How to get to Vedauwoo

Take I-80 west of Cheyenne or east of Laramie to the Vedauwoo Road Exit (Exit 329). Proceed east about 1.2 miles to the campground and picnic area entrance.

Red Tape

No permits are needed to climb or hike at Vedauwoo. There is a modest fee if you park in the day use area.

Firewood may be gathered but not cut from dead standing trees in this area. Also, firewood may not be removed from this part of the Forest but may be used for campfires on site.

All off-road travel by motorized vehicles is prohibited in this area.

Please practice Leave No Trace ethics during your visit.

External Links

Rock Climbing at Vedauwoo

Rockclimbing.com Vedauwoo

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests

Weather Forecast for the Laramie Range

Camping

Vedauwoo Campground Info

Dispersed camping is also allowed in the area. Bring your own water, park alongside roadways but don't drive off-road, and pack out what you pack in. Check with the Laramie Ranger District Office for more info on dispersed camping opportunities near Vedauwoo (307) 742-2300

Suggested Books and Maps

Heel & Toe: The Climbs of Greater Vedauwoo by Skip Harper and Rob Kelman

Vedauwoo Bouldering and Fat Crack Climbing

How to order a Medicine Bow National Forest and Pole Mountain Map

For more information

USDA Forest Service
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests,
Thunder Basin National Grassland
2468 Jackson Street
Laramie, WY 82070
(307) 745-2300

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