Washakie Wilderness, Protected wilderness area in Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming, US
Washakie Wilderness is a large protected area within the Shoshone National Forest featuring mountain peaks above 12,000 feet (3,600 meters) and deep valleys carved by ancient glaciers. The landscape spans over 700,000 acres of largely undisturbed natural terrain.
The wilderness was officially designated in 1972 when federal authorities merged the former Stratified Primitive Area with South Absaroka Wilderness into a single protected zone. This administrative consolidation established the boundaries and protection status that exist today.
The wilderness takes its name from Chief Washakie, a Shoshone leader who worked to maintain peaceful coexistence between Native American tribes and settlers in the 1800s. His name marks the significance of indigenous presence in these mountains.
Visitors can explore the area on extensive trail systems for hiking and horseback riding, while motorized vehicles and bicycles are prohibited throughout. Camping and fishing are allowed, but visitors should prepare for remote backcountry conditions and check local regulations before heading into the wilderness.
The area serves as a critical migration corridor where grizzly bears and wolves move freely between mountain ranges and valleys as part of larger ecosystem movements. Few visitors realize how this remote landscape functions as a living pathway for these far-ranging species.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
