Granite Springs Trail

The Granite Springs Trail winds through the dramatic landscape of the Medicine Bow Mountain foothills in Curt Gowdy State Park, where massive granite outcrops rise from the rolling high-plains terrain in shapes that seem almost architectural. This moderate loop navigates around and between these ancient stone formations, which have been sculpted by freeze-thaw cycles and wind erosion over hundreds of millions of years.

The trail passes Granite Springs Reservoir, one of three reservoirs within the park, where osprey and great blue herons fish the clear mountain waters. The surrounding forest of ponderosa pine and Rocky Mountain juniper provides habitat for mule deer, wild turkey, and an impressive variety of raptors including red-tailed hawks and prairie falcons that nest among the granite cliffs.

The rocky terrain underfoot is primarily decomposed granite, which provides excellent traction in dry conditions but can become slippery after rain. Interpretive signs along the trail explain the geological history of the Sherman Granite formation, which also appears dramatically at nearby Vedauwoo Recreation Area. The trail offers excellent views of the Laramie Range to the north and the high plains of southeastern Wyoming spreading to the horizon, making this an ideal outing for geology enthusiasts and wildlife watchers alike.