Last Updated on 30 December, 2025 by Robyn Dockendorf

Wyoming is filled with beautiful places to see, including Yellowstone, the Tetons, and Devil’s Tower. One small gem in the southeast corner of Wyoming is a mecca of towering granite rock formations that will leave its visitors in awe: Vedauwoo.

Vedauwoo Wyoming is tucked away in the Medicine Bow National Forest and offers outdoor enthusiasts a plethora of activities. This area appears to spring out of nowhere from the calm Wyoming plains, while the constant wind and massive rock faces remind us that some areas of the country are still wild!

Join me as I review the 13 best things to do in Vedauwoo Wyoming. From rock climbing and hiking to OHV riding and picnicking, there’s something for everyone in this treasure trove just a half-hour drive from Laramie and a forty-minute drive from Cheyenne, WY.

This post includes affiliate links, but rest assured that we only recommend items we would use ourselves. If you choose to make a purchase, we receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. There are no sponsorships; this is just the truth about our favorite finds.

The History of Vedauwoo

Vedauwoo, pronounced VEE-da-voo, is steeped in Native American history and the history of the outlaws living in the Wild West.

Native Americans believed playful spirits stacked up the rocks, which are meticulously balanced on one another in unbelievable ways. ‘Vedauwoo’ is derived from the Arapahoe word bito’o’wu, which means ‘earth-born.’

In the days of gunslingers and outlaws, it’s rumored that Vedauwoo was a hideout for those escaping from the law. Whether or not this history is true remains unanswered!

The Rocks

Whether you’re a rock climber or not, most people appreciate the massive formations in the Vedauwoo Recreation Area. These towering boulders and cliffs are made of Sherman Granite and are super old…like 1.4 billion years old!

The area around Vedauwoo is so exposed because of the later formation of the Laramie Mountains. Erosion contributed to much of the shaping of the rocks in Vedauwoo, Wyoming, especially the hoodoos. (Hoodoos are characteristic of rocks with a larger top and slender bottom.)

Vedauwoo Wyoming is a rock climber’s paradise, with some of the world’s best off-width climbing. But even if you’re not a rock climber, it’s still fun to scramble around on the many boulders splattered throughout the recreation area.

13 Things To Do In Vedauwoo Wyoming

Now, let’s move on to the fun part—what can you do in Vedauwoo? It turns out there are a lot of activities to do here! Whether you enjoy hiking and climbing or camping and relaxing, I’ll go over everything you can do and explore in Vedauwoo Wyoming.

1. Rock Climbing

One of the biggest attractions at Vedauwoo is the rocks. The Sherman Granite consists of pink feldspar, white quartz, hornblende, mica, and other minerals. To rock climbers, this is nothing short of a mini Yosemite paradise.

Vedauwoo Wyoming climbing is famous worldwide for its challenging off-width routes. Still, it’s also home to plenty of trad, sport, and boulder problems.

There are three main climbing areas at Vedauwoo:

• Central Vedauwoo
• Outback Areas
• Outlying Areas

Within each area, you’ll find dozens of rock formations. Central Vedauwoo is the main attraction for rock climbers. Check out Walt’s Wall, Valley Massif, Nautilus, Coke Bottle, and Reynold’s Hill for some of the best climbs!

If you need rock climbing gear, we have guides for finding the best chalk, quickdraws, belay devices, and harnesses!

2. Wildflower Viewing

If you’re more of the stay-firmly-on-the-ground kind of person (hey, can’t blame anyone for that!), then wildflower viewing might be more your speed. Wildflowers in Vedauwoo can bloom as early as April and May but typically peak in June and July.

Vedauwoo Wyoming is one of the first places in the state to thaw from winter snow, so it’s an excellent place to view spring wildflowers when other areas of the state are still covered in snow and frigid temperatures.

Wildflower species you may encounter include:

• Pasque flower
• Wyoming Townsend Daisy
• Northern Idaho biscuitroot
• Prairie bluebells
• Sand lily
• Purple pincushion
• Lupine
• Goldenrod
• Wyoming kittentail

Not only are the flowers picturesque, but imagine a backdrop of towering hoodoos and vaulted rock formations reaching hundreds of feet in the air!

3. Hiking

The University of Wyoming lists 49 trails in the Vedauwoo area. However, many of these are nothing more than connector trails or cow paths that are not maintained. By far the most popular trail in the area is Turtle Rock.

The Turtle Rock Trail is a 2.8-mile loop that surrounds a large, dome-shaped rock formation resembling a turtle’s shell.

If you’d like to extend the hike into a bigger loop, you can take the Valley Massif trail to add about 1.5 miles onto the hike.

When we visited Vedauwoo, we hiked from our campsite down on FR700E to the Vedauwoo trail, thinking we would be able to see Turtle Rock. Unfortunately, you have to scramble at the end of the trail to catch a glimpse, and we had our 3-legged dog, Pawdrick, with us, so we didn’t end up seeing it.

However, we were able to fly the drone and get some stunning aerial shots of Turtle Rock. A sturdy pair of trekking poles, like the REI Co-op Trailmade Trekking Poles, can help you along the rocky trails at Vedauwoo.

Check out our ultimate day hiking gear list to ensure you have everything you need to complete a hike at Vedauwoo!

4. Picnicking

Another popular activity in the Vedauwoo area is picnicking. It’s a fantastic place to pack a lunch spread, bring the family and kiddos, and enjoy the beautiful scenery among the towering rocks.

At Vedauwoo Wyoming, you have a choice between two picnic areas:

• Beaver Ponds
• Box Canyon

Box Canyon is very popular and is located right in the middle of the recreation area. Picnic tables are spread throughout the rock formations, and the east and west turtle rock trailheads are a short walk from the picnic area.

The Beaver Ponds picnic area is a little past the east Turtle Rock trailhead, with many picnic sites spread throughout the area and along the paved road. Our ultimate guide to hiking snacks can help inspire what to pack for your picnic!

5. Camping

There’s no better way to fully immerse yourself in the Vedauwoo Wyoming area than to camp right on site! Vedauwoo offers three camping options: established campgrounds, tent campgrounds, and dispersed camping.

• Established (Paid): The Vedauwoo campground consists of 28 campsites with tables, a fire ring, vault toilets, potable water, and trash pickup service. It is located in the main Vedauwoo area on Forest Road 720 off Vedauwoo Glen Road. It costs $20 per night to camp here (2025). Some sites can be reserved, while others are first-come, first-served.
  • Location: N41.1569, W105.3786

• Tent-Only (Paid): These campsites are also available at Vedauwoo. They are located further up the road from the established campground. There are 20 tent-only sites, which cost the same as the established campground ($20 per night). They have the same services – tables, fire ring, vault toilets, potable water, and trash pickup.
  • Location: N41.1597, W105.3734

• Dispersed Camping (Free): If you don’t mind roughing it, there are 97 dispersed campsites at Vedauwoo. These sites do not have services and require you to bring in everything you need and pack out all trash. Only a fire pit is provided. Note that the road to get to the dispersed camping sites is typically closed from February through May (camping is open all year), depending on the weather. Also, the road is rough even during the dry summer (4×4 is not necessary). All dispersed sites are first-come, first-served.
  • Dispersed Camping Map

When we visited Vedauwoo, we stayed at dispersed campsite E3. The area was bustling at the end of July, and we got lucky and were driving by as someone was pulling out!

6. Wildlife Watching

There is a lot of wildlife to see at Vedauwoo, Wyoming. You will most likely spot wildlife during the quieter seasons, such as winter, early spring, and late fall. Summers are when more people arrive at Vedauwoo, keeping much of the wildlife away.

Some of the animals you might see on a quiet morning in Vedauwoo include the following (click on the link to read about what you should do if you encounter one of these creatures on a hike!):

• Black bear
• Deer (White Tail, Mule, Elk, Moose)
• Beaver
• Ground Squirrels
• Chipmunks
• Marmots
• Pronghorn
• Coyote
• Prairie Dog
• Mountain Lion
• Badger
• Turkey

Always keep a safe distance, no matter what kind of wildlife you spot, big or small. This not only protects you, but it also keeps the wildlife wild, which keeps them safe and out of harm’s way. If you love bringing your pup along for adventures, keep them on a leash to prevent wildlife confrontations.

7. Photography

I’ll admit, southern Wyoming is a little boring. It’s mostly desert shrubs, plains, and a few small, bump-like hills on the horizon. Vedauwoo is a breath of fresh air for anyone traveling in southern Wyoming, especially photographers!

With the massive rock formations balancing on one another in an impossible way, it’s an opportunity for any photographer to get intriguing shots.

Wildlife photographers will have a blast capturing all the little critters scurrying around the rocks and the avian wildlife like owls, hawks, and vultures.

8. Walk Your Dog

If you’re like us, you love bringing your dog on all your adventures. Dogs are welcome on all trails and at all campgrounds in Vedauwoo. There are even a few off-leash areas at Vedauwoo where you can let our pup run around – just be aware that not all dogs are friendly!

Take your pup on the Turtle Rock trail or walk them down the forest roads for a fun and scenic walk that will have your dog wagging its tail the whole time!

If you bring your canine companion on a hike at Vedauwoo, remember to pack their essentials:

• Water: Consider getting a dog water bottle, like Kong H2O Water Bottle, to make it easy to give your dog a drink on those fun summer adventures.
• Dog first-aid kit: We never go on a hike without our Adventure Medical Kits Adventure Dog Series Trail Dog First Aid Kit in case of emergencies.
• Rescue sling: In case your loyal companion injures themselves, the Fido Pro Airlift Emergency Dog Rescue Sling can help you carry them back to the car. This is another essential piece of hiking gear we always bring.
• Leash: In most areas of Vedauwoo, pets must be leashed. Check out our guide on the top 10 best dog leashes for hiking to keep your furry pal under control on the trails. We highly recommend the Hitch Hiker Leash by Ruffwear.

For a complete list, head over to our dog hiking gear essentials checklist!

9. Mountain Biking

Vedauwoo offers a plethora of mountain biking trails. Even the popular Turtle Rock Trail allows mountain bikes!

But even beyond the popular areas at Vedauwoo, there is a network of mountain biking trails that take you along scenic paths offering breathtaking views that many never get to see! In total, there are around 30 trails in Vedauwoo.

It’s advised to check a map frequently when biking on the outer trails, as many of them are nothing more than unmarked cow paths or self-made bike trails.

10. Fishing

Vedauwoo is well known for being a mecca for rock climbing, but it’s also a prominent fishing area with various roadside and beaver ponds available to test out your new lure or pole.

At Vedauwoo, you’ll find resilient brook trout who don’t mind the somewhat poor conditions of the roadside ponds. There is a large network of creeks and ponds all around the Vedauwoo area.

11. Snowshoeing

When the hiking season winds down and the summer crowds vacate to warmer territory, Vedauwoo becomes a winter paradise. The crowds are down, the views are still gorgeous, and the wild side of Vedauwoo comes back to life.

Snowshoeing is a fantastic activity during the winter months at Vedauwoo. You can snowshoe on most trails that are open to hiking in the warmer months.

One thing to note is that Forest Road 720 is closed in the winter. Road closures are weather-dependent but typically start on February 1. This will add about a half-mile both ways to your snowshoeing hike.

12. Cross-Country Skiing

Another winter activity at Vedauwoo is cross-country skiing. This is popular on roads closed during the winter season, such as Forest Road 720 and the various Forest Road 700s (700E, 700F, 700H, etc.) east of Vedauwoo.

You can park at the beginning of the closed roads or in some of the parking lots that are open for the winter season, such as the Nautilus parking lot.

Vedauwoo is generally a very windy area, so be prepared for the cold by wearing appropriate, resistant clothing, a hat, and gloves. Consider bringing a pair of goggles as well to avoid getting snow blown into your eyes.

13. OHV Riding

The final activity you can do at Vedauwoo is OHV riding along specified roads. OHV vehicles include quads, dirtbikes, and side-by-sides. Many of the roads at Vedauwoo are open to OHVs.

The OHV riding season runs from around Memorial Day through the end of February. After that, the roads are closed to all vehicle traffic to offer a break to wildlife and the surrounding land for regrowth.

A vehicle use map for Pole Mountain (Vedauwoo) can be found here. It provides all the information you need, such as which roads are open to OHV vehicles and whether the entire road is open or just from specific mile markers. This map also shows the Happy Jack Area, but does not include the Curt Gowdy State Park.

Wrapping Up Your Vedauwoo Wyoming Adventure

Vedauwoo is calling your name. The only answer you need is what you want to do when you get there! With a plethora of choices, you could spend days or weeks at this amazing Wyoming location.

To recap, the 13 things to do at Vedauwoo Wyoming include:

1. Rock climbing
2. Wildflower viewing
3. Hiking
4. Picnicking
5. Camping
6. Wildlife watching
7. Photography
8. Walk your dog
9. Mountain biking
10. Fishing
11. Snowshoeing
12. Cross-country skiing
13. OHV riding

Do you have a favorite activity at Vedauwoo? Or are you planning a trip to this beautiful area? Let us know in the comments below! We love hearing about others’ adventures and any tips or tricks we may have left out.

Until next time, give your furbags an extra pet from us dirtbags, and enjoy your next adventure! For more guides around the United States, check out our blog’s map and choose a specific region.