Located in Wyoming, the Oregon Buttes Wilderness Study Area includes 5,700 acres of land administered by the BLM. Rising out of the northwestern part of the Red Desert are the buttes, which reach an elevation of 8612 feet and are a well-known landmark, both today and for the settlers who traveled the Oregon Trail, who would view them on the horizon for a day or more during their travels. The buttes include two hills with flat tops and a smaller, cone-shaped one. Within the area is a myriad of vegetation, to include limber pine stands, thick stands of aspen and wet meadows.
Within the Oregon Buttes Wilderness Study Area are numerous recreation opportunities. Visitors to the Area can go explore by hiking or on horseback, enjoy rock climbing and photography. Bird watching is popular in the Wilderness Study Area, as the habitat of the buttes is ideal for raptors and a variety of species can be sighted.
When looking for the opportunity to spend some time outdoors taking in the beautiful scenery while experiencing something of historical significance, a trip to Oregon Buttes Wilderness Study Area is a must!
To get to Oregon Buttes Wilderness Study Area from South Pass, take Highway 28 and keep your eyes out for a sign for Oregon Buttes Road. Take Oregon Buttes Road South and proceed for ten miles. After ten miles, you will encounter an unmarked road on your right, just slightly northeast of the buttes. The area around the turn is private property, so remain on the road and head west. The road becomes rough and a high-clearance vehicle will be necessary to avoid any issues. The road eventually brings you back to public lands and the Oregon Buttes Wilderness Study Area. Bringing a map along is highly recommended.
Parking is available within the Oregon Buttes Wilderness Study Area.
Public transportation is not available to the Oregon Buttes Wilderness Study Area.
Located in the South Pass Area, the Atlantic City Campground has 18 campsites, each with a fire pit, barbecue grill and a picnic table. Sites are first-come, first-served and tents, RVs and trailers can be accommodated, with a few pull-through sites that are sufficient for larger vehicles. There are no hook-ups at the campground, though water is available when the weather permits and vault toilets are located within the campground.
As there may be seasonal closures, it is best to check to be sure the campground is open prior to planning to stay there. From the Atlantic City Campground, you will find easy access to the Oregon Buttes Wilderness Study Area along with other recreation opportunities.
Featuring 20 campsites located on the shore of a beautiful lake, Fiddlers Lake Campground is an excellent choice as a home base for your visit to Oregon Buttes Wilderness Study Area. The campground is able to accommodate RVs and trailers that are up to 40 feet long and offers potable water and five vault toilets. Each site has a picnic table and cook grates.
From the campground, it is easy to access trails that lead into the Popo Agie Wilderness as well as to nearby lakes. Sites are first-come, first-served and the campground closes seasonally.
Located on the shores of the Worthen Meadow Reservoir is the Worthen Meadow Campground, which includes 28 campsites. RVs and trailers up to 24 feet are able to be accommodated and sites include a picnic table and a cooking grate. Within the campground is a boat ramp, ensuring those looking to explore the reservoir by boat are able to easily do so.
Also at the campground are trailheads that take hikers into the Popo Agie Wilderness, as well as potable water and vault toilets. Sites are first-come, first-served and are open seasonally. Those who stay at Worthen Meadow Reservoir will find plenty to do not only in the surrounding area, but steps from their campsite.
During your visit to the Oregon Buttes Wilderness Study Area, a great way to spend time exploring the area is to hike to the top of a butte. A scree slope that can be found between the butte furthest east and the one in the middle provides a trail of sorts that you can hike up. Find a way up that works best for you and your abilities and take in beautiful views of the surrounding area!
Located in west-central Wyoming in the Wind River Mountains is Sinks Canyon State Park. The State Park is on the middle fork of the Popo Agie River and offers a variety of natural habitats with diverse plants and animals. Visitors to Sinks Canyon State Park will find abundant recreation opportunities available, to include fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. Sinks Canyon State Park is an easy and worthwhile trip when visiting Oregon Buttes Wilderness Study Area.
Located near Lander, Wyoming, the Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary is home to wild Mustangs who are able to roam free, while also receiving professional care, within its area.
The sanctuary includes a Visitor Center that offers insight on how important horses have been in Native American cultural life, along with education on the history of North America’s wild horses. Visitors can take a tour of the sanctuary on the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Lander, Wyoming is known for its excellent rock climbing, with areas like Wild Iris and Sinks Canyon a hotspot for climbers worldwide. Sport climbs are close to town, with world-class and alpine climbs a short drive or hike away. Experienced climbers can use a climbing guidebook to learn about available climbing opportunities, and there are options for climbing guides for those newer to the sport.
An unincorporated community in Wyoming’s Fremont County, South Pass City was a station along the Oregon Trail. After the town’s gold mines closed, South Pass City became a ghost town.
The town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers unique attractions; you can visit a restored mine and pan for gold, for example. Spending time in South Pass City will offer a window into the history of the area.
This unique museum was established in 1998 and offers insight into the natural and human history of the Wind River and Sweetwater Valleys, as well as the Rocky Mountain’s South Pass region. Located in Lander, Wyoming, the museum is on more than eight acres of land in a beautiful setting and presents the stories of both the Pioneers and Native Americans on the frontier. Check out the museum’s exhibits, as well as special events.
