Overview
Vedauwoo sits at 8,200 feet in the Laramie Range, east of the main Medicine Bow Mountains and a short drive from I-80 east of Laramie. The area is managed as part of Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and features one of the most distinctive rock landscapes in Wyoming: massive Sherman granite boulders and tors stacked in improbable configurations that create an environment of crags, passages, and balanced rocks.
Sherman granite is approximately 1.4 billion years old, among the oldest exposed rock in Wyoming. The characteristic rounded, piled appearance of the formations results from a process called spheroidal weathering: water infiltrates joints in the rock, freezes and thaws over millions of years, and progressively rounds the sharp corners of the original blocks. The result is the chaotic jumble of loaves and spheres visible today. The name Vedauwoo comes from the Arapaho language and has been translated as "earthborn spirits," a fitting description for the otherworldly character of the place.
The trail system loops through and around the formations, providing walk-in access to the climbing areas and the geological curiosities without requiring any technical skills.
The Route
Miles 0.0 to 0.5: Recreation Area to Formation Core
The trail leaves the main recreation area and enters the granite formations almost immediately. The path winds between boulders and through passages barely wider than a hiking pack in places. The transition from the open parking area to the enclosed boulder corridors happens quickly and creates a genuinely different atmosphere.
Miles 0.5 to 2.0: Formation Circuit
The loop traverses the main boulder field, passing the most prominent climbing crags and continuing through varied terrain of flat slabs, narrow corridors, and open meadow patches between boulder groups. Climbers are present at the crags on most fair-weather weekends from April through October. The rock climbing routes range from beginner 5.0 slabs to advanced 5.13 crack climbs in the overhanging sections. Hikers and climbers share the area without conflict. Pronghorn are commonly seen in the meadow sections between boulder groups, and mule deer browse the brush on the formation edges.
Miles 2.0 to 2.5: Return to Trailhead
The loop closes back at the recreation area. The final section follows a more open path through sagebrush and grass before returning to the paved parking area.
When to Hike
April through October the recreation area is reliably accessible. The lower elevation compared to the Snowy Range makes Vedauwoo one of the earliest spots in the Medicine Bow-Routt system to open each spring. Winter access is possible but the granite surfaces and passages can be icy and dangerous after snow or rain.
Year-round the formations are a draw. The rock climbing season extends into late fall and resumes earlier in spring than the alpine areas of the forest. Spring and fall visits avoid the summer crowds from travelers stopping off I-80.
What to Bring
Many hikers carry 1 liter of water. Water is available at the flush toilet facilities in the recreation area before starting out. Sturdy shoes with grip help on the granite slabs, where smooth-soled footwear can slip. If exploring off-trail or climbing on the boulders, a fall hazard exists on any elevated position.
Trailhead Access
Vedauwoo Recreation Area is located off I-80 Exit 329, approximately 20 miles east of Laramie. The access road from the exit is about 2 miles on paved road. No fee to park or hike (as of 2026). Flush toilets and water at the recreation area during the operating season. Campground with 26 sites adjacent to the day-use area. Limited cell service is available near the highway but may be absent deeper in the recreation area.
Nearby
Medicine Bow Peak Trail provides the high-country alpine summit complement to Vedauwoo's low-elevation rock environment, about 45 minutes west via the Snowy Range Scenic Byway. Lake Marie Loop is the most scenic easy loop in the Wyoming unit for visitors who want an above-treeline experience.
Check conditions at checking conditions before you go. Practice Leave No Trace principles throughout, particularly by staying on established paths through the formations where off-trail foot traffic damages soil and vegetation.