Wyoming Trail Mileage by Forest
Planning an ATV or UTV trip in Wyoming can get confusing when one map gives a mileage total and another shows a much smaller network of open routes. That’s because “trail mileage” may include different kinds of roads, routes, and seasonal access. This guide explains how to compare Wyoming’s national forests and choose a forest that fits your ride.
Why Wyoming forest mileage is hard to compare
A mileage total can describe different things
A forest’s published mileage may refer to its entire road network, designated motorized routes, routes open to a particular vehicle type, or trails enrolled for specific riding access. Those figures are not interchangeable. A long forest road, for example, can count toward a motorized-road total without being a narrow ATV trail.
The map you’re looking at may also include routes that are closed to motor vehicles, restricted to certain vehicle widths, or open only during part of the year. Even a route shown as open may have rules that distinguish between an ATV, a dirt bike, and a wider side-by-side. That’s why a headline mileage number rarely tells you exactly how much riding you can do on your machine.
It helps to think of mileage in layers: first, the forest’s overall road and trail network; next, the routes designated for motorized use; and finally, the routes legally open to your vehicle on the dates you plan to ride. For a practical trip, that last figure matters most. See [Wyoming's Enrolled Roads and Trails] for more on why access designation is important.
Forest boundaries do not tell you where riding is allowed
A forest boundary is an administrative line, not a promise of open riding. The route network may cross land managed by different agencies or pass near private property, wilderness, wildlife habitat, or other areas with their own restrictions. A road that appears continuous on a broad map may have a closure or change in access where management changes.
This is especially important in Wyoming, where a route can climb from a valley road into higher country and encounter snow, seasonal restrictions, or a closure intended to protect wildlife or fragile ground. A ride that looks like a straightforward loop on a phone screen might therefore require a turnaround, a different route, or a change of plan.
Before you set out, check the forest’s travel management information and look for signs at the route itself. [Wyoming Trail Maps and MVUMs] explains the role of motor vehicle use maps. If a posted sign and a digital map appear to disagree, treat the on-the-ground closure as a reason to pause and confirm access rather than assuming the map gives permission.
The most useful comparison is rideable mileage
For trip planning, “How many total miles are in the forest?” is less useful than “How many connected miles can my machine legally ride during my visit?” A dense network with several open loops may suit a weekend better than a larger network where routes are scattered, seasonal, or limited by vehicle width.
Also consider how the miles connect. A route that ends at a gate or requires riding a public road may not work for every group. A modest trail network close to camp can offer more enjoyable riding than a bigger, disconnected network that involves hours of trailering or repeated backtracking.
Wyoming national forests and the riding they offer
Medicine Bow National Forest
The Medicine Bow area is a natural choice for riders near Laramie, Saratoga, and the Snowy Range. It offers a mix of forest roads and designated routes, but access can change with elevation and season. Snow may linger on high routes after lower areas have become comfortable for riding, and road conditions can vary after storms.
When comparing Medicine Bow mileage, check whether the figure refers to roads, trails, or routes open to motorized use. Then confirm the permitted vehicle type and any width limits. A route suitable for a narrow ATV may not be open to a wider side-by-side. For more on planning around the network, see [Medicine Bow Designated Routes Only] and [Snowy Range Trails Out of Laramie, Wyoming].
The area also rewards flexible planning. A warm afternoon in Laramie does not guarantee that a high-elevation route is clear, dry, or open. Build a shorter option into your itinerary, especially early in the season, and avoid treating a broad forest mileage figure as a promise that every route will be available.
Bighorn National Forest
The Bighorns stretch across a large landscape, so the number of routes in the forest as a whole may not describe the riding available from your chosen starting point. Riders staging near Buffalo or Sheridan will want to check the routes around their specific access area, rather than relying on a forest-wide total.
Seasonal conditions are a major part of planning here. High roads and trails may remain snowy or muddy while lower routes are usable. A route listed in a network inventory may also be closed during a wildlife or road-management period. If your trip depends on a particular loop, identify a second option before loading the machines.
For a closer look at access and seasonal planning, read [Bighorn Forest Roads and Wyoming's Season], [Bighorn Roads Closed Until June], and [Riding the Bighorns From Buffalo]. Those details are often more useful than a single mileage figure when deciding whether the Bighorns are right for a particular weekend.
Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests
Bridger-Teton and Shoshone cover broad, varied terrain. Their road and route networks can take riders from lower-elevation country toward mountain landscapes, but the experience differs by location and season. A forest-wide mileage total can hide the practical differences between a route near a community, a remote road, and a high-elevation trail.
The scale of these forests makes choosing a staging area especially important. If you are staying near Pinedale, for instance, focus on the routes reachable from that side of the forest rather than expecting one day’s ride to represent the entire network. Around Cody, check the specific access and restrictions for your planned direction into the forest. [Where to Ride Near Pinedale] and [Riding Out of Cody Toward the Forest] offer useful starting points for thinking locally.
In both forests, verify that your route is open to motorized use and appropriate for your machine. A road that works for a full-size vehicle is not automatically a designated ATV route, and a route that is open to one class of machine may have restrictions for another. Keep your plan tied to current maps and posted signs, not just the forest’s overall size.
Smaller or edge-of-state forest areas
Some Wyoming rides may involve forest units or land-management areas near state boundaries. In those locations, it is easy to assume that a route network continues across a boundary because the terrain and roads do. But access rules, seasonal closures, and map conventions can change as management changes.
Treat the boundary as a point to verify, not a formality. Check which agency manages each segment, whether the route is open on both sides, and whether your permit or vehicle rules apply. When a ride connects forest roads with other public lands, a route-by-route check is more dependable than relying on one large mileage total.
How to compare forest mileage before you ride
Read the map legend and route designation
Start by identifying what the mileage number counts. Does it describe all roads, motorized routes, trails, or a specific class of routes? If the description is unclear, do not assume that “miles of road” means “miles open to ATVs.” A map’s legend and access notes can help distinguish a road from a designated trail and show whether restrictions apply.
Next, check whether the route is open to your machine. Vehicle-width limits matter for side-by-sides, while some routes may be limited to motorcycles or other vehicle types. [Wyoming's 50-Inch Trail Limit] and [Measuring Your Machine Tire to Tire] can help you understand why a route’s width rules may change which miles are available to you.
A route map is a planning tool, not a substitute for signs or current closure notices. Download or carry the relevant travel map when possible, and take a moment at the trailhead to compare the route you planned with the signs you see. If the route is closed, choose an open alternative rather than riding around a barrier.
Compare practical access, not just the headline number
Before choosing a forest, make a short checklist:
- Identify where you will unload or begin riding.
- Find the routes open to your vehicle type near that staging point.
- Check whether those routes connect into a loop or require backtracking.
- Look for seasonal dates, temporary closures, and width restrictions.
- Confirm whether the route reaches the kind of terrain your group wants.
- Identify a nearby alternative in case weather or a closure changes your plan.
This process can make a smaller riding area feel more useful than a sprawling network. A family with newer riders may prefer a straightforward route close to the trailhead, while an experienced group may be more interested in longer connections and varied terrain. Mileage is only one part of whether a forest fits your group.
Digital mapping tools, including onX Offroad, can be helpful for viewing routes and planning a general itinerary. Use them alongside official land-manager maps and posted signs, rather than as the sole authority on whether a route is open. Before leaving cell coverage, save the information you need offline and make sure everyone in the group knows the planned route.
Account for season, weather, and conditions
A route’s listed mileage does not account for snow, mud, washouts, fallen trees, or temporary restrictions. In Wyoming’s higher country, conditions can vary sharply between a town and a nearby ridge. A clear road in the morning can also become more difficult after a storm or heavy rain.
If you are riding early or late in the season, confirm whether the relevant routes have opened or closed for the period. [Wyoming's April to December Season] provides broader seasonal context, while [Wyoming Trail Closures to Check First] is a useful reminder to look for restrictions before committing to a route.
Leave room in the day for changes. If a route is rougher than expected or a group member is tiring, turning back can be the best choice even when miles remain on your map. A successful ride is not measured by how much of a forest’s network you cover, but by whether your group stays within its abilities and follows the rules.
A quick comparison framework for choosing a forest
| What to compare | Why it matters | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Type of mileage reported | Road totals and designated trail totals describe different networks | Whether the figure counts roads, trails, or motorized routes |
| Routes open to your machine | Access may vary by vehicle type or width | Map designations, width limits, and signs |
| Starting point | A forest-wide total may be far from your staging area | Routes near your chosen trailhead or camp |
| Route connections | Connected routes can create a useful loop; scattered routes may mean backtracking | Junctions, dead ends, and legal connectors |
| Season and closures | Snow, weather, and management decisions can remove routes from a plan | Current travel maps, closure notices, and posted signs |
| Support and remoteness | Remote routes require more preparation and realistic turnaround plans | Fuel range, communication, and distance from help |
A practical comparison might look like this: one forest offers a large overall road network, but the routes open to your UTV are spread out and subject to seasonal access. Another has fewer advertised miles but several connected routes close to your campsite. For a short weekend, the second option may deliver a smoother trip because less time is spent hauling, backtracking, or adapting to closures.
onX Offroad can help you sketch out possible connections and keep a route visible when cell service is limited, provided you prepare the map in advance. Still, use official maps to confirm motorized access and follow any posted restrictions. If a digital route line, a map, and a trailhead sign do not seem to match, stop and verify before continuing.
For a final check, ask yourself: Can every machine in the group legally use the route? Is it open for the planned date? Can the group complete it with its fuel, daylight, and experience? Is there a safe alternative if conditions change? Those answers will tell you more about the ride than a forest-wide mileage number ever can.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
