Encampment River Wilderness
| Acreage | 10,165 acres (41.14 km²) |
|---|---|
| Size Rank | 15th largest Wilderness in Wyoming |
| Elevation Range | 7,438–9,348 ft |
The Encampment river cuts down through the Sierra Madre to join the North Platte. It is an oasis in dry southeastern Wyoming. A boon for wildlife and nature lovers alike. Read more about the area and its history in the Encampment River Canyon WSA entry here.
The WSA is just north of the actual Wilderness, and most visitors will pass through both parcels. Keep your eyes out for bighorn, as there is a smallish herd in the area.
A few friends and I drug packrafts down this river during low flow. There was a lot of boot-scooting and not a lot of floating, but the views were great. We actually gave up half way down the river and walked the boats out. Walking in the warm summer night as dusk fell, tired from a day on the water, is an experience that everyone should have at least once.
Floating this river at high water is serious (Class V). If you are into creeking, then check out the American Whitewater entry for more beta here.
News
See the Encampment River Canyon WSA entry for news related to that WSA being folded into this Wilderness, if Barrasso’s bill is passed.
Sinclair Refinery uses some water out of here during dry years and it was a bit controversial locally. Water matters a lot in the West, so anything having to do with stirs the pot (Wyofile article here).
Access
You can hike up canyon from the north on the Encampment River trail, which goes through the Encampment River Canyon WSA. See the Encampment River WSA for details of how to get here.
To access from the south, head to Hog Park Reservoir. Just east of the reservoir is the south end of the Encampment River trail.
Safety
Boating this entire river at high water is a serious endeavor. Plan accordingly. Cell service is nonexistant in the canyon and hiking up out of the canyon to get service would be very challenging.
Ticks are abundant in the springtime.
Infrastructure
The Encampment River Trail goes all the way up to the Hog Park area. It is a great hike. Gravel riding and bike touring in this area is lovely.
