Shoshone National Forest

Welcome to first National Forest in the United States, the Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming!

Forest History: In 1891, this forest was protected as part of the Yellowstone Timberland Reserve. Later it was renamed to the Shoshone National Forest in recognition of the Shoshoni tribe who lived in the region. Other tribes who hunted, traded, and fought in the region include the Sioux, Arapahoe, Blackfeet, Commanche, Nez Perce, and Crow tribes.

The Shoshone National Forest's landscapes vary from sagebrush flats as low as 4,600 feet ASL to mountain tops which are covered with snow for most of the year including the highest point in Wyoming, Gannett Peak towering at 13,804 feet ASL. Some of the mountain ranges inside the forest's boundaries include the Wind River, Absaroka, and Beartooth Ranges. The western edge of the forest borders Yellowstone National Park.

Wildlife: The Shoshone National Forest helps protect the habitat of numerous wild critters including wolves, mountain lions, grizzly bears, coyotes, foxes, rabbits, porcupines, bobcats, deer, moose, lynx, and many others. Please treat their home with respect.

For the lover of the outdoors the Shoshone National Forests boasts hundreds of miles of multipurpose trails and numerous campsites. Come on out and explore!

This was RecPlanet place of the day on December 15, 2016.