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2b
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CHILTONS CUT OFF
CHIL
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!ZSouth Superior
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Rock Cre ek
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Sand Creek
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Simpson's Hollow,The Utah Wars,
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Burial on the Trail,Emigrant/Indian Relations,and other markers
Landscapesof Power
Little Sandy Crossing,Pony Express, &Eden Valley War Memorial
Oregon Trail -Farson
Fort Stambaugh
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Rock SpringsStage Station
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Oregon Trail - Hay Meadow Reservoir
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Company
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LanderCutoff
Flat Top7536 ft
Round Top6999 ft
Table Rock7486 ft
Tule Butte7287 ft
Pabst Peak10261 ft
Hague Hill7654 ft
Deer Butte7891 ft
Black Rock7201 ft
Zirkel Mesa7550 ft
Sand Knolls
Pilot Butte7921 ft
Luman Butte6977 ft
Emmons Cone7863 ft
Clay Buttes6691 ft
Chalk Butte6713 ft
Cabin Butte7990 ft
Spring Butte7591 ft
Pencil Point7284 ft
Hatcher Mesa7636 ft
Granite Peak 10404 ft
Endlich Hill7307 ft
Elk Mountain8015 ft
Buffalo Hump7027 ft
Buffalo Hump7104 ft
Black Buttes8097 ft
Wildcat Butte9636 ft
Pacific Butte
BastardButte
6856 ft
Rennecker Peak10053 ft
HaystackButte6845 ft
Fourmile Knoll6737 ft
Essex Mountain8045 ft
Teakettle Butte7031 ft
Tabernacle Butte7583 ft
Saint Marys Peak7601 ft
Dilabaugh Buttes7516 ft
Continental Peak8431 ft
Roundtop Mtn8736 ft
Fifteenmile Knoll6724 ft
SteamboatMountain8694 ft
Five Fingers Butte6845 ft
Schoettlin Mtn7123 ft
South Table Mountain8287 ft
Little Prospect Mtn8866 ft
Boar's Tusk7095 ft
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Honeycomb Buttes WSA
Red Lake WSA
Buffalo HumpWSA
South Pinnacles WSA
Alkali Basin/Sand Dunes WSA
Whitehorse Creek WSA
Sweetwater Canyon WSA
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108°30'0"W
108°30'0"W
108°45'0"W
108°45'0"W
109°0'0"W
109°0'0"W
109°15'0"W
109°15'0"W
109°30'0"W
109°30'0"W
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42°0
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41°4
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41°4
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N
0 2.5 5Miles
/
WYOMING
Map Extent
Red Desert
DRIVING DISTANCES
(157.4 miles with 2a and 2b)
9.5 miles2a1
11.8 miles1 2b
19.3 miles2a 3
17 miles2b 3
1.9 miles3 4
23.3 miles4 5
9.3 miles5 6
12.4 miles6 7
3.4 miles7 8
5.6 miles8 9
4.1 miles9 10N Loop = 82.3 milesS Loop = 101.9 miles
Total Loop = 153 miles
MAP SYMBOLS
Roads & Highways
State Highway28
US Highway£¤191
Interstate§̈¦80
County Road17
Railroad
Mule Deer Migration Corridor
Low Use Area
Medium Use Area
High Use Area
Land Designations
Wilderness Study Area (WSA)
Special Designation Area
US National Forest
Water Features
Lake
Seasonal Lake
Seasonal Reservoir
CanalStreamIntermittent Stream
!Z National Historic Register Site
!O Point of Interest
!F Hiking Area
Ice Cream!#
!³ Food / Groceries
!_ Toilet Facilities
!̧ Gas Station
!5 Picnic Tables
!9 Campground
![ Viewpoint
!L ATV AreaNatural Features
Sand Dune Field
Continental Divide
TrailsHistoric Trail / Road
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
Driving Tour
Wild Horse Loop
Main Driving Tour Route
Driving Tour Stop!(1
Data Disclaimer: Users should be aware that dataon this map may have changed since its creation, and that this map does not include all of the back-roads in the region. Due to the remote nature of Wyoming's Red Desert, it is strongly recommended that users carry with them a paper Wyoming topo-graphic atlas with map scales of 1:225,000 or larger (more zoomed in) and a compass. GPS units are also highly recommended, but they must be independent of cellular service to function and arealways dependent on weather and other conditions for accuracy. Data Sources: Bureau of Land Management, Delorme WY Atlas & Gazetteer, Esri, USDA Forest Service, United States Geological Survey, Wyoming Game & Fish, Wyoming GeoHub, Wyoming Outdoor CouncilMap Projection: Lambert Conformal ConicMap Datum: North American Datum 1983Cartography: Lauren Heerschap 2019
COUT
NE
SD
ID
MT
Burnt Ranch!O
Whitehorse Whitehorse
Alkali Draw WSA
PRIVATE
South Pass Historical MarkerThe South Pass area of the Red Desert has been a human migration pathway for millennia. The crest of the Rocky Mountains flattens out onto high-el-evation steppes, allowing easy passage across the Continental Divide. Native Americans and their ancestors crossed Indian Gap to the south and traveled this area to hunt and trade. European Americans first traversed the pass in 1812 and were followed by fur trappers, missionaries, pioneers, Pony Express riders, and gold prospec-tors. Our nation’s history of westward expansion was etched into the sagebrush sea here: the Oregon, California, and Mormon National Historic Trails cross over from the east to enter what was known as the Oregon Territory. As many as 500,000 emigrants in the mid-late 1800s followed these trails alongside oxen-drawn wagons or pulled handcarts, constituting one of the largest voluntary human migrations recorded. The dirt ruts visible at this stop are those of the actual Oregon Trail, and
the vistas you see here are remarkably similar to those viewed by thousands of travelers in the past. A side road from the county road will take you to several historical markers memorializing South Pass and the historic trails.
Whitehorse Creek Overlook Whitehorse Creek is one of the easiest landscapes to access in the Northern Red Desert. A short drive from the county road offers excellent viewpoints along the ridgeline that marks the wilderness study area’s northern boundary, where visitors can look out over the magnificent striped badlands in the foreground and enjoy an expansive view of the Wind Rivers. There are areas here for primitive camping, including a rock fire pit. (Be sure to bring your own firewood and do not cut down or use the local limited wood.) The pitted sandstone outcrops and cliffs along the rim, as well as the twisted juniper, pine trees, and dense sagebrush help support mule deer and a resident elk herd.
Hikers can remain along the rim or drop down into the basin. Keep an eye out for fossils, raptors, and bobcat tracks.
Oregon Buttes The Oregon Buttes, another wilderness study area, stand proudly along the Continental Divide, sentinels to the Great Divide Basin, and mark the northern edge of the Jack Morrow Hills. European American emigrants traveling westward along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails entered Oregon Territory after crossing South Pass just west of the buttes, which gave these iconic formations their name. The springs along their eastern flanks, and the hardy stands of pine and aspen, bitterbrush communities, and sagebrush, are crucial for a variety of wildlife. Today, local adventurers climb the buttes to enjoy the views of the Great Divide Basin and Wind River Mountains. Easy hiking access to the crest of the buttes is from the northern height of the road, as marked.
Honeycomb ButtesThe Honeycomb Buttes Wilderness Study Area is one of the most mesmerizing and difficult-to-access landscapes in the Northern Red Desert. These badlands are made of colorful sedimentary rock layers shed from the rising Wind River Mountains millions of years ago. Iron-rich minerals in these sediments transformed into vibrant reds, purples, yellows, and greens. The gray and brown layers above these colorful badlands are composed of sediments from lakes and tropical swamps that were home to massive turtles, crocodiles, fish, and small mammals for millions of years. In the present environment, horned lizards abound, as do small mammals—including bobcats. Desert elk find refuge in the maze of badlands. The Honeycombs offer some of the West’s best hiking, photography, and stargazing. Nearby is Continental Peak, a summit that offers tremendous views and is well worth the climb. The suggested stop offers views of the Honeycombs
to the northeast and also marks a crossing of the historic freight and stage road used to haul supplies to South Pass City. See map for recommended hiking access roads for hiking in this wilderness study area.
The Great Divide BasinAs you drive through this central section of the Northern Red Desert, you’ll cross into the Great Divide Basin, the only place in North America where the Continental Divide splits into two paths, creating a basin in the middle where waters flow neither to the Atlantic nor the Pacific. The road runs along a rim of land looking south towards Alkali Draw and The Pinnacles Wilderness Study Areas. Alkali Draw contains rugged cliff escarpments, and its springs and seeps help support several wildlife herds. The Pinnacles are named for their pyramid shapes and colorful landforms. This country is some of the wildest undeveloped desert lands in the northern Rocky Mountain states. At the suggested stop, take time to get out of the vehicle and view the 360-degree
panorama of desert, buttes, and wild lands. A short walk south reveals the mysterious Pinnacles.
The Jack Morrow HillsThe Jack Morrow Hills, named for a 19th-century crook and homesteader, run north-south between the Oregon Buttes and Steamboat Mountain and define the western edge of the Great Divide Basin. These hills are a complex of sagebrush-clad ridges and rims, with seeps and drainages that provide important habitats for birds and ungulates, including sage-grouse, pronghorn, elk, and mule deer. Sports-men and women prize the chance to hunt the elk that roam between the dunes, the Jack Morrow Hills, and the badlands of the Great Divide Basin. The east- facing slopes of Bush Rim sport a kaleidoscope of colorful sediment layers and hidden springs support-ing lush groves of trees that offer shaded respite for a convenient lunch spot.
White Mountain PetroglyphsThe White Mountain Petroglyphs, containing hundreds of carved figures etched into the sand-stone bedrock, is estimated to date back some 200–1,000 years. The area is managed to protect this important artifact of Plains Indian rock art. Cultural historians and tribal elders believe most of these etchings were created between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with many scenes depict-ing hunting and wildlife, contact with European culture, and the advent of horses. Members of the Shoshone, Arapaho, and Ute tribes consider this
site sacred. Please be respectful and do not touch or deface the petroglyphs. They are located on the cliff face at the end of a ¼-mile foot-path.
Sand Dunes and Boar’s TuskThe sand dunes that stretch more than 100 miles—from near Farson to the Ferris Mountains to the east—make up one of the largest “living” sand dune complexes in the United States. The complex contains four wilderness study areas and the Killpecker Sand Dunes Open Play Area. These shifting dunes contain numerous ephemeral
ponds which are formed when sand blows over and insulates snow drifts in the winter, causing pockets of hardened snow that melts out slowly in the spring and summer. Standing 400 feet tall just south of the sand dunes is a rare monolith: Boar’s Tusk. This volcanic plug—the core of an extinct volcano—is an icon of the Northern Red Desert and sacred to many Native Americans. Take the 1a access road for hiking within the Sand Dunes Wilderness Study Area and proceed to the 2b road for access to the motorized play area and campground.
Steamboat Mountain and World’s Longest Deer MigrationA massif visible for miles and recognizable for the small pyramid midway along its otherwise flat summit, Steamboat Mountain rises above the Jack Morrow Hills in the background. Indian Gap Trail, a favored Plains Indian route across the Red Desert, passes directly to the west of Steamboat and east of Essex Mountain. Steamboat is a volcanic butte similar to the other dramatic buttes to its south, including Black Rock, Spring Butte, and the Table
Mountains. The aspen glades on Steamboat’s northern slopes are a favorite of campers and hunters. The boulder fields and cliffs on the northeast side (visible from the noted viewpoint) served as a buffalo jump for Native American hunters—a place where the animals were herded off a steep incline and killed. The Red Desert is home to the southern terminus of the longest mule deer migration in the world. Every spring, thousands of deer leave their winter range in this area and cross Steamboat Mountain toward summer range in the Hoback region south of Jackson. At the top of the road, you can see
nearly the entire stretch of the Sand Dunes, with Black Rock and Spring Buttes in the foreground.
Tri-Territory Historical MarkerThe Tri-Territory Historic Site marks the spot where Mexico, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Oregon Territory intersected. This isolated location tells the story of the western expansion and how three nations competed and fought for control of the North American continent. The snowy crest of the southern Wind River Mountains—renowned for its rock climbing terrain—is visible to the northwest.
NO
RT
HE
RN
RO
UT
ES
OU
HT
HE
RN
RO
UT
E
WhiteMountain
Petroglyphs
Tri-Territory Historical Marker
Steamboat Mountain & Mule Deer Migration Corridor
Chicken Springs & Jack Morrow Hills
HoneycombButtes
Oregon Buttes
Original South Pass Summit
Whitehorse Creek Overlook
Great DivideBasin
Boar’sTusk & Killpecker Sand
Dunes WSA Killpecker Sand Dunes ORV Area
a
b
a
a
b
bThe Red Desert Driving Tour route is indicated in red. Aside from sections on paved US Highway 191 and State Highway 28, the route is entirely on dirt or gravel roads. The Red Desert is a wild, backcountry landscape—please respect its remote nature and come prepared!
The entire loop can be driven in a long day with limited time for short stops and hikes. The route can be accessed from either south or north, from US Highway 191 or State Highway 28.
The tour can also be divided into two loops,a southern route ( - ) and northern route ( -
), providing more time for exploration and hikes. Use County Road 21 from State Highway 28 for middle access to these shorter loops. Tour stops are described in southern route and northern route sections.
The main tour, using only county-maintained roads, is marked by the thick red line. Side road tour stops and suggested hiking access roads are marked by a thin red line, but these dirt two tracks should be evaluated carefully before venturing out. The half-tour access road on County Road 21 from State Highway 28 is marked by a thin red line. Other county roads and tracks are marked in black/gray. Be aware that there are many dirt roads throughout the Red Desert which are not on maps—use these at your own risk!
how to use this map
WH
IT
E
MO
UN
TA
IN
wyoming's
REdDesert
Ice Caves
NaturalCorrals
South Pass City State Historic Site
Point of Rocks Stagecoach Station
(half-tour access road)
PRIVATE ROAD
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este
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xpan
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M
ount
ain
men
expl
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g the
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firs
t set
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e wild
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nd o
f the
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Des
ert i
n 18
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g one
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he ea
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xped
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he R
ed D
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ted
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prin
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f biso
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the Northern Red Desert is a diverse landscape. Adventurers seeking solitude, families camping for a weekend, and hunters scouting for elk, as well as birders, rock-hounds, artists, horseback riders, and countless others enjoy the ruggedness and open spaces of the Northern Red Desert.
The landscape is rich with the history of the American West, from early Native American petroglyphs to the ruts of the Oregon Trail. It is home to pronghorn and horned lizards—species that thrive on an array of native plants and springs that dot the sagebrush sea. Vast sections of these public lands—administered by the Bureau of Land Management—are largely untouched by humans. So tread lightly and enjoy your time among the buttes and badlands. But beware: you will want to return again and again.
From towering buttes to intricate badlands, from ribbons of sand dunes to remote springs,
The Red Desert is wild and remote. Travelers must come prepared.
• Start any trip with a full tank of gas and a spare tire.• Let someone know where you are headed and when you plan to return.• We recommend a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle to traverse the dirt roads.• Cell phone service is spotty at best. Don’t count on having a signal.• Bring extra food and water—even if you don’t think you will need it. • We suggest traveling the route between May and October. Road conditions
deteriorate quickly, especially when wet.• Expect strong winds and changing temperatures. Dress appropriately.• Stick to numbered BLM and county roads and don’t trust your GPS or Google
Maps. There are a number of two-track dirt trails that a GPS will often recognize as a road, but many are unreliable. Use extreme caution driving off main roads.
• Watch out for wildlife!
Whi
teho
rse
Cre
ek O
verlo
ok
Ear
ly P
eop
les
and
Nat
ive
Am
eric
an C
ult
ura
l Im
por
tan
ceSi
nce t
ime i
mm
emor
ial t
he R
ed D
eser
t has
bee
n an
impo
rtan
t hom
e, hu
ntin
g are
a, an
d sp
iritu
al ce
nter
. The m
ost r
ecen
t Nat
ive A
mer
ican
in
habi
tant
s wer
e the
Sho
shon
e and
Ute
, alth
ough
man
y oth
er G
reat
Ba
sin an
d Pl
ains
trib
es ca
me t
hrou
gh th
e are
a, su
ch as
the A
rapa
ho,
Lako
ta, a
nd C
heye
nne.
For t
he S
hosh
one p
eopl
e, th
e Red
Des
ert
has t
wo
nam
es. Th
e firs
t is “
the p
lace
whe
re G
od ra
n ou
t of m
oun-
tain
s.” Th
e sec
ond
nam
e, “la
nd o
f man
y pon
ies,”
rela
tes t
o th
e maj
or
chan
ge in
nat
ive c
ultu
res c
ause
d by
the i
ntro
duct
ion
of th
e hor
se.
The S
hosh
one a
nd th
e Ute
trib
es w
ere a
mon
g the
firs
t to
deve
lop
A W
ild
Lan
dsca
pe
The N
orth
ern
Red
Des
ert i
s ofte
n de
scrib
ed as
the l
arge
st u
nfen
ced
area
in th
e Low
er 4
8. It
is h
ome t
o se
vera
l “w
ilder
ness
stud
y are
as”—
larg
e, w
ild, r
oadl
ess t
ract
s det
erm
ined
thro
ugh
a nat
iona
l pro
cess
to
cont
ain
som
e of o
ur n
atio
n’s b
est r
emot
e opp
ortu
nitie
s for
solit
ude
and
recr
eatio
n. Th
ese a
reas
are o
pen
to th
e pub
lic fo
r cam
ping
, hu
ntin
g, fi
shin
g, an
d hi
king
, but
mot
oriz
ed u
se is
pro
hibi
ted.
The
Nor
ther
n R
ed D
eser
t boa
sts n
ine u
niqu
e WSA
s, th
e lar
gest
conc
en-
trat
ion
in W
yom
ing.
Thes
e spe
cial
pla
ces h
elp p
rese
rve b
adla
nds,
hist
oric
trai
ls, fo
ssili
zed
rem
ains
from
the s
hore
s of a
ncie
nt se
as, a
nd
early
Nat
ive A
mer
ican
pet
rogl
yphs
and
cam
ps. Th
e wid
e-op
en co
un-
try a
lso su
ppor
ts ab
unda
nt w
ildlif
e, in
clud
ing a
rare
des
ert e
lk h
erd
and
cruc
ial w
inte
r ran
ge fo
r the
mig
rato
ry b
ig g
ame h
erds
that
roam
so
uthw
est W
yom
ing.
T
he
Go
lde
n T
ria
ng
le is
a na
me w
ildlif
e bio
logi
sts u
se to
des
crib
e th
e str
etch
of l
and
nort
h of
Far
son
bord
ered
by S
tate
Hig
hway
28
and
US
Hig
hway
191
and
cont
inui
ng to
the fl
anks
of t
he W
ind
Riv
er M
ount
ains
. This
prist
ine s
tret
ch o
f sag
ebru
sh st
eppe
is k
now
n fo
r its
exce
ptio
nal w
ildlif
e hab
itat a
nd ri
ch b
iodi
vers
ity. Th
e rol
ling
sage
brus
h se
a sup
port
s the
wor
ld’s
long
est m
ule d
eer m
igra
tion
corr
idor
, hug
e her
ds o
f elk
that
sum
mer
in th
e Win
d R
iver
s, pl
us
pron
ghor
n, g
olde
n ea
gles
, red
fox,
and
hund
reds
of o
ther
sage
brus
h-de
pend
ent s
peci
es. Th
e reg
ion
also
susta
ins t
he p
lane
t’s la
rges
t po
pula
tion
of G
reat
er sa
ge-g
rous
e, a s
peci
es th
at is
impe
riled
acro
ss
the W
est.
Her
e, m
ore t
han
800
mal
e gro
use p
erfo
rm th
eir e
labo
rate
sp
ring m
atin
g ritu
als o
n m
atin
g gro
unds
calle
d le
ks.
Lon
ges
t U
ng
ula
te M
igra
tion
in
th
e U
nit
ed S
tate
sTh
e lon
gest
big
gam
e mig
ratio
n co
rrid
or in
the L
ower
48
begi
ns ju
st
nort
h of
Roc
k Sp
rings
in th
e Red
Des
ert.
Twic
e a ye
ar, m
ule d
eer
mig
rate
bet
wee
n th
eir w
inte
r ran
ge in
the R
ed D
eser
t sag
ebru
sh an
d th
eir h
igh-
elev
atio
n su
mm
er ra
nge 1
50 m
iles n
orth
in th
e Hob
ack.
Th
is tr
ip, a
ptly
refe
rred
to as
the R
ed D
eser
t to
Hob
ack
Mig
ratio
n,
allo
ws t
he d
eer t
o ac
cess
hig
hly n
utrit
ious
fora
ge—
esse
ntia
l to
thei
r he
alth
and
surv
ival
—ov
er th
e cou
rse o
f sev
eral
mon
ths a
s the
sage
an
d gr
asse
s “gr
een
up” t
hrou
ghou
t the
sprin
g. M
ule d
eer a
re ex
trem
ely
faith
ful t
o th
eir m
igra
tion
rout
es, w
ith h
erds
trav
elin
g the
exac
t sam
e pa
ths y
ear a
fter y
ear.
Rec
ent s
cien
tific r
esea
rch
sugg
ests
the k
now
ledg
e of
mig
ratio
n ro
utes
is p
asse
d do
wn
from
one
gen
erat
ion
of d
eer t
o th
e nex
t, in
a co
ntin
uous
line
span
ning
cent
urie
s. St
udie
s also
show
th
at m
igra
tion
corr
idor
s are
thre
aten
ed b
y hum
an d
istur
banc
e and
de
velo
pmen
t, an
d th
at m
ule d
eer p
opul
atio
ns ac
ross
the s
tate
are i
n de
clin
e. Pr
otec
ting m
igra
tion
corr
idor
s and
cruc
ial w
inte
r ran
ge is
es
sent
ial t
o co
nser
ving
thes
e ico
nic h
erds
. The R
ed D
eser
t pro
vide
s so
me o
f the
ir la
st, b
est h
abita
t.
Nor
th A
mer
ica’
s L
arg
est
Liv
ing
San
d D
un
esR
ising
from
the s
outh
ern
Red
Des
ert l
ike a
mira
ge an
d str
etch
-in
g ove
r 109
,000
acre
s fro
m th
e Gre
en R
iver
Bas
in to
the G
reat
D
ivid
e Bas
in, t
he K
illpe
cker
San
d D
unes
are t
he la
rges
t liv
ing
dune
fiel
d in
Nor
th A
mer
ica.
Com
prise
d of
gra
nite
gro
und
dow
n by
gla
cier
s hig
h in
the W
ind
Riv
er M
ount
ains
, the
sand
ac
cum
ulat
ed o
n th
e ban
ks o
f the
Big
San
dy an
d Li
ttle S
andy
riv
ers d
owns
trea
m an
d w
as b
low
n ac
ross
the C
ontin
enta
l Div
ide
by w
este
rly w
inds
ove
r tho
usan
ds o
f yea
rs. E
ach
win
ter,
the s
and
colle
cts s
now
mel
t and
win
dblo
wn
ice d
epos
its, w
hich
supp
ort
the v
eget
atio
n th
at st
abili
zes t
he d
unes
. The c
olle
cted
wat
er
crea
tes e
phem
eral
oas
es in
the d
eser
t tha
t sus
tain
a su
rpris
ing
arra
y of w
ildlif
e, fro
m m
igra
tory
shor
ebird
s to
sala
man
ders
and
fresh
wat
er sh
rimp.
The d
unes
are a
lso a
have
n fo
r pro
ngho
rn,
mul
e dee
r, an
d a r
are d
eser
t elk
her
d. T
rave
lers m
ay h
ear t
he sa
nd
“sing
,” as
sand
aval
anch
ing o
ver t
he cr
esce
nt sh
aped
dun
es cr
eate
s a r
oarin
g, b
oom
ing s
ound
that
can
last
for s
ever
al m
inut
es.
Fasc
inat
ing
Geo
log
yTh
e lan
dsca
pes a
nd la
ndfo
rms i
n W
yom
ing’s
Nor
ther
n R
ed D
eser
t te
ll a d
ram
atic
stor
y of t
he ea
rth’s
rece
nt—
and
anci
ent—
geol
ogic
pr
oces
ses.
Som
e of t
he w
orld
’s ra
rest
rock
s and
min
eral
s are
foun
d in
the L
euci
te H
ills,
erod
ed re
mna
nts o
f a g
eolo
gica
lly yo
ung (
1-3
mill
ion
year
s old
) vol
cani
c fiel
d co
mpo
sed
mai
nly o
f a ro
ck ty
pe
calle
d ph
logo
pite
lam
proi
te. Th
ese v
olca
nic r
emna
nts n
ow fo
rm so
me
of th
e mos
t int
eres
ting f
orm
atio
ns o
f the
Nor
ther
n R
ed D
eser
t: Bo
ar’s
Tusk
, Nor
th an
d So
uth
Tabl
e Mou
ntai
ns, a
nd S
team
boat
Mou
ntai
n.
Thes
e vol
cani
c plu
gs, n
ecks
, dik
es, fl
ows,
and
cind
er co
nes e
rupt
ed
viol
ently
thro
ugh
the c
rust
from
sour
ces d
eep
in th
e ear
th’s
man
tle.
The c
olor
ful b
adla
nds o
f the
Hon
eyco
mb
Butt
es an
d Bu
sh R
im
are m
ade o
f sed
imen
tary
rock
s dep
osite
d al
ong
the f
ront
of t
he
activ
ely
risin
g W
ind
Riv
er M
ount
ains
arou
nd 5
0 m
illio
n ye
ars a
go.
A L
and
of M
any
Use
sTh
e Red
Des
ert h
as b
een
a mul
tiple
-use
land
scap
e for
thou
sand
s of
year
s. To
day,
peop
le u
se th
e des
ert f
or ev
eryt
hing
from
bac
kcou
ntry
ad
vent
ures
to o
il an
d ga
s pro
duct
ion.
The m
ajor
ity o
f the
se la
nds
are f
eder
al p
ublic
land
s, ow
ned
by al
l Am
eric
ans a
nd m
anag
ed b
y th
e Bur
eau
of L
and
Man
agem
ent f
or a
rang
e of p
urpo
ses.
Due
to it
s Se
reng
eti-l
ike w
ealth
of b
ig g
ame,
this
area
was
pro
pose
d to
be s
et
asid
e as a
nat
iona
l win
ter
gam
e pre
serv
e as f
ar b
ack
as
1898
. Sou
th P
ass C
ity S
tate
H
istor
ic S
ite at
the d
eser
t’s
nort
hern
edge
is a
hist
oric
“g
host
tow
n” fr
om th
e gol
d ru
sh d
ays o
f the
late
180
0s,
and
old
stage
and
freig
ht
road
s lea
ding
nor
th to
that
ar
ea cr
isscr
oss t
he sa
gebr
ush.
A
band
oned
ranc
hes d
ot
the l
ands
cape
and
serv
e as a
testa
men
t to
the d
ifficu
lty o
f eki
ng o
ut a
livin
g on
this
rugg
ed la
nd. C
urre
ntly,
wild
hor
se h
erds
are m
anag
ed
here
to as
sure
rang
e hea
lth, a
nd h
istor
ic tr
ails
and
Nat
ive A
mer
ican
cu
ltura
l site
s are
pro
tect
ed fo
r the
ir na
tiona
l her
itage
valu
es. T
oday
, m
uch
of th
e pub
lic la
nd in
the N
orth
ern
Red
Des
ert i
s lea
sed
for
graz
ing,
with
larg
e “al
lotm
ents”
requ
ired
to su
ppor
t the
scat
tere
d ca
ttle.
Visi
tors
may
enco
unte
r ran
cher
s che
ckin
g the
ir fe
nces
, hu
nter
s sco
utin
g the
ir ca
mps
, or o
il an
d ga
s wor
kers
nea
r the
sa
nd d
unes
serv
icin
g wel
ls. P
leas
e res
pect
the p
rivat
e pro
pert
y you
m
ay en
coun
ter o
n yo
ur tr
avel
s and
do
not d
istur
b liv
esto
ck.
A B
ack
cou
ntr
y R
ecre
atio
n P
layg
rou
nd
The R
ed D
eser
t boa
sts n
umer
ous o
ppor
tuni
ties f
or b
ackc
ount
ry
and
mot
oriz
ed re
crea
tion,
all o
f whi
ch ar
e eas
ily ac
cess
ible
from
R
ock
Sprin
gs, P
ined
ale,
and
Land
er. N
umer
ous d
irt ro
ads a
nd tw
o tr
acks
pro
vide
acce
ss to
this
rem
ote l
ands
cape
. Disp
erse
d ca
mpi
ng
is al
low
ed th
roug
hout
the a
rea.
The R
ed D
eser
t is p
rized
for i
ts
big g
ame h
untin
g—th
ere a
re ab
unda
nt d
eer,
pron
ghor
n, an
d el
k he
rds.
Its w
ild n
orth
ern
reac
hes s
how
case
a va
st ex
pans
e of f
ence
less
hi
gh-d
eser
t lan
dsca
pe, p
erfe
ct fo
r hor
seba
ck ri
ding
, mou
ntai
n bi
king
, lo
ng-d
istan
ce ru
nnin
g, an
d da
y hik
ing.
Tro
ut fi
shin
g is a
lso p
ossib
le
on th
e nea
rby S
wee
twat
er R
iver
. The d
eser
t’s n
umer
ous w
ilder
ness
st
udy a
reas
pro
vide
for g
reat
bac
kcou
ntry
cam
ping
bet
wee
n bu
ttes
an
d m
esas
or i
n as
pen
glad
es n
ear s
prin
g see
ps. F
arth
er so
uth,
nea
r the
de
sert
’s ic
onic
sand
dun
es, a
dev
elop
ed O
ff-R
oad
Vehi
cle (
ORV
) are
a is
perf
ect f
or th
ose i
nter
este
d in
mot
oriz
ed fu
n. W
ith m
ost o
f thi
s la
ndsc
ape l
arge
ly in
tact
and
cont
iguo
us w
ith th
e Gre
ater
Yel
low
ston
e Ec
osys
tem
, opp
ortu
nitie
s for
wild
life v
iew
ing a
boun
d. A
s muc
h of
the
dese
rt si
ts w
ell a
bove
7,0
00 fe
et in
elev
atio
n, ex
pect
to se
e sw
eepi
ng
view
s in
all d
irect
ions
—a p
hoto
grap
her’s
del
ight
. But
not
e tha
t the
re
al tr
eat c
omes
after
the s
hado
ws g
row
long
and
the s
un g
oes d
own:
th
e Red
Des
ert’s
nig
ht sk
y will
leav
e you
spee
chle
ss an
d hu
mbl
ed.
Oxi
datio
n an
d re
duct
ion
of ir
on-r
ich
min
eral
s ero
ded
from
the
risin
g m
ount
ains
, mix
ed w
ith as
h fr
om th
e Abs
arok
a vol
cani
c fiel
d to
the n
orth
, has
crea
ted
an ar
ray
of li
ght-
colo
red
clay
s tha
t mak
e up
the b
adla
nds.
The d
arke
r gra
y an
d br
own
laye
rs ab
ove t
he co
lorf
ul
badl
ands
are p
art o
f the
Gre
en R
iver
For
mat
ion,
dep
osite
d in
the
enor
mou
s Lak
e Gos
iute
and
its co
asta
l sw
amps
that
conc
entr
ated
da
rk o
rgan
ic m
atte
r. C
ontin
enta
l Pea
k an
d th
e Ore
gon
Butt
es ar
e also
mad
e of s
edim
en-
tary
rock
s tha
t are
laye
red
on to
p of
the G
reen
Riv
er F
orm
atio
n an
d sim
ilar i
n or
igin
, dep
osite
d in
lake
and
river
syst
ems a
nd m
ixed
with
as
h fro
m vo
lcan
ic er
uptio
ns to
the n
orth
. Thes
e lan
dmar
ks ar
e loc
ated
ju
st so
uth
of th
e maj
or fa
ult z
ones
resp
onsib
le fo
r the
upl
ift o
f the
W
ind
Riv
er M
ount
ains
and
subs
eque
nt d
own-
drop
ping
of t
he W
ind
Riv
er B
asin
.
On
the n
orth
ern
edge
of t
he R
ed D
eser
t lie
the o
ld m
inin
g to
wns
of S
outh
Pas
s City
and
Atla
ntic
City
. Dire
ctly
sout
h is
the
Swee
twat
er R
iver
Val
ley,
whi
ch p
rovi
ded
an ea
sy ro
ute t
o So
uth
Pass
and
the c
ross
ing o
f the
Roc
ky M
ount
ains
ove
r the
Con
tinen
tal
Div
ide.
The p
ass s
erve
d as
the p
rimar
y mou
ntai
n ga
tew
ay fr
om th
e ea
st to
the w
est f
or h
undr
eds o
f tho
usan
ds o
f em
igra
nts e
n ro
ute
to U
tah,
Cal
iforn
ia, o
r Ore
gon
in th
e 180
0s. T
oday
, visi
tors
can
still
see t
he n
etw
ork
of ru
tted
wag
on tr
ails
from
the t
hous
ands
of
settl
ers w
ho tr
aver
sed
this
land
-sc
ape.
The R
ed D
eser
t inc
lude
s se
ctio
ns o
f the
Ore
gon,
Cal
iforn
ia,
and
Mor
mon
Tra
ils as
wel
l as t
he
Pony
Exp
ress
mai
l rou
te b
etw
een
the e
ast a
nd w
est c
oast
s in
the
1860
s. Th
e nat
iona
l sig
nific
ance
of
Sout
h Pa
ss as
a th
orou
ghfa
re fo
r w
este
rn ex
pans
ion
is on
e rea
son
the a
rea h
as b
een
desig
nate
d as
a N
atio
nal H
istor
ic L
andm
ark.
hors
e-ba
sed
com
mer
ce th
at st
retc
hed
for m
iles a
cros
s Wyo
min
g’s
Gre
at D
ivid
e Bas
in. Th
e are
a is t
he an
cestr
al h
untin
g gro
unds
for
man
y trib
es an
d co
ntai
ns n
umer
ous c
ultu
ral a
nd h
oly s
ites.
Scat
tere
d th
roug
hout
the l
ands
cape
are t
hous
and-
year
-old
rock
art
sites
, and
ston
e circ
les w
ith sp
iritu
al si
gnifi
canc
e. T
ipi r
ings
, out
linin
g ca
mps
ites,
are e
vide
nt th
roug
hout
the r
egio
n. Th
e dra
mat
ic B
oar’s
Tu
sk is
stro
ngly
asso
ciat
ed w
ith th
e orig
ins o
f Sho
shon
e cul
ture
. Th
e Ind
ian
Gap
Tra
il, p
assin
g thr
ough
Indi
an G
ap, c
onne
cted
the
Ute
trib
es fu
rthe
r sou
th an
d w
est i
n U
tah
and
Col
orad
o w
ith th
e th
e Sho
shon
e in
the W
ind
Riv
er B
asin
. Nea
rby,
on th
e she
er fa
ce o
f St
eam
boat
Mou
ntai
n, w
as a
favo
red
“buff
alo
jum
p” h
untin
g are
a for
N
ativ
e Am
eric
ans.
a T
he
Killp
ec
ke
r S
an
d D
un
es a
re
the
la
rge
st
livin
g d
un
e fi
eld
in
No
rth
Am
eri
ca
, str
etc
hin
g o
ve
r 1
09
,00
0
ac
res b
etw
ee
n t
he
Gre
en
Riv
er
Ba
sin
an
d t
he
Gre
at
Div
ide
Ba
sin
.
Sc
att
ere
d t
hro
ug
ho
ut
the
lan
dsc
ap
e a
re t
ho
usa
nd
-ye
ar-
old
roc
k a
rt s
ite
s, a
nd
sto
ne
cir
cle
s
wit
h s
pir
itu
al sig
nifi
ca
nc
e.
a S
tan
din
g o
ve
r 4
00
fe
et
ab
ove
th
e v
alle
y fl
oo
r, t
he
ic
on
ic
Bo
ar’
s T
usk
en
du
res a
s a
re
mn
an
t o
f a
n a
nc
ien
t vo
lca
nic
eru
pti
on
.
Ma
ny t
ha
nk
s t
o o
ur
sp
on
so
rs:
David Show
walter
Michelle Smith
Sweetwater County Travel and Tourism Amber WilsonRJ Pieper
Jennie Hutchinson
Oregon Buttes
Wyoming's red desert
Honeycomb Buttes
View from Tri-Territory area north toward the Wind River Mountains
Whi
te M
ount
ain
Petr
ogly
phs
Hon
eyco
mb
Butte
s
Sou
th P
ass
hist
oric
trai
ls
a B
oar’s
Tusk
&
Killp
ecke
r San
d D
unes
WSA
Tri-T
errit
ory
His
toric
al M
arke
r
✪
Ste
ambo
at M
ount
ain
and
Mul
e D
eer M
igra
tion
Coo
rdid
or
Jeff VanugaJeff Vanuga
Kathy Lichtendahl
Joe Riis
Red
Des
ert E
lk
Sage
Gro
use
Oregon Trail Photo File, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
Mark Gocke
Ken
Drie
se
Nic
olau
s W
egne
r
Sout
h Pa
ss C
ity
Be Prepared
Julia Stuble
TM
For m
ore
info
, go
toR
ed
De
se
rt
.or
g
Anne Austin Design
Lan
der
Ch
ambe
r of
Com
mer
ce
TO
UR
ISM
AS
SET
D
EVEL
OPM
ENT
Win
dRiv
er.o
rgVi
sitP
ined
ale.
org
wyo
park
s.w
yo.g
ovla
nder
cham
ber.o
rgtra
velw
yom
ing.
com
wyo
outd
oorre
crea
tion.
wyo
.gov