Guides/Overland routes/Wyoming
Overland route57 midifficulty: easy

Battle Pass Scenic Byway

RegionWyomingAgencyU.S. Forest Service, Wyoming Department of TransportationLast verified—
Battle Pass Scenic Byway — overland route near Encampment, Wyoming, Wyoming
Photo by Ericshawwhite via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
57mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
Any street-legal vehicle. Paved its full length. Closes seasonally with snow on the high stretch.
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
None on the high stretch; service in Encampment and Baggs.
Take action
Plan in Epic PlansOpen in Google MapsOfficial site

Battle Pass Scenic Byway is a 57-mile paved highway, WY-70, that crosses the Sierra Madre at Battle Pass, 9,955 feet on the Continental Divide. The route runs between Encampment on the upper North Platte and Baggs in the Little Snake River drainage on Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. The byway is one of two paved routes across the Sierra Madre and is named for the Battle Townsite, a 19th-century mining camp at the pass.

The road closes seasonally with snow, typically from late October to mid-May on the high stretch. Most drivers run the byway in 90 minutes to two hours. There are no technical obstacles. The interest is the Sierra Madre crossing, access to FS dispersed camping and trailheads, and connection to the Snowy Range Byway via Encampment.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Seasonal closures. WY-70 closes from late October through mid-May on the high stretch.
  • High elevation. Battle Pass tops 9,955 feet. Watch for altitude effects.
  • Wildlife. Elk, deer, and the occasional moose cross the road.
  • Limited services. No fuel between Encampment and Baggs.
  • Crosswinds. Particularly on the western descent into the Little Snake valley.

Location

57 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 41.053, -106.949

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service, Wyoming Department of Transportation
Nearest townEncampment, Wyoming
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r02/mbr
ClosedNov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Approx. location41.053, -106.949

Getting there

Directions

From Saratoga / Encampment (east entrance). Take WY-130 south to Saratoga, then WY-230 to Encampment. Turn west on WY-70.

From Baggs (west entrance). From WY-789 at Baggs, turn east on WY-70.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The byway runs east-west on WY-70 between Encampment (south of Saratoga in the North Platte valley) and Baggs (in the Little Snake River valley near the Colorado line). Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest's Brush Creek-Hayden Ranger District manages the FS lands along the corridor. The Sierra Madre is the southern continuation of the Park Range.

Trail Overview

Fifty-seven miles, point-to-point, paved. The eastern climb out of Encampment gains about 2,500 feet to Battle Pass; the western descent drops about the same to Baggs through more gradual grade. The Continental Divide Trail crosses the byway at Battle Pass. There are no off-road sections.

Points of Interest

  • Battle Pass (9,955 ft). Continental Divide. Battle Townsite Overlook with interpretive signs about the 1890s mining era.
  • Battle Townsite. Adjacent ghost-town site at the pass; foundation remains visible.
  • Aspen Alley. A signed turnoff on the byway that drives through a tunnel of mature aspen, particularly photogenic in late September.
  • Encampment. Old smelter town with the Grand Encampment Museum and ghost-town reconstructions.
  • Continental Divide Trail. Crosses the byway at Battle Pass; multiple trailheads.

Where to Camp

Medicine Bow-Routt maintains several developed campgrounds along or near the byway: Lost Creek, Battle Creek, Haskins Creek, Bottle Creek, and Jack Creek. Dispersed camping is allowed on FS land off side roads with the standard 16-day stay limit. Encampment and Baggs have private campgrounds.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Aspen Alley in late September is one of the better aspen-color displays in Wyoming. Plan around the third week of September.
  • The byway closes from late October through mid-May on the high stretch. Confirm with WYDOT 511.
  • Combine with the Snowy Range Scenic Byway via Saratoga and Encampment for a Sierra Madre-and-Snowy-Range loop.
  • Top off in Encampment or Baggs. There is no fuel on the byway.
  • The Grand Encampment Museum is a worthwhile stop on the eastern approach.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Battle Pass Scenic Byway?
Battle Pass Scenic Byway is rated easy. The route runs 57 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Battle Pass Scenic Byway?
Any street-legal vehicle. Paved its full length. Closes seasonally with snow on the high stretch.
When is the best time to visit Battle Pass Scenic Byway?
The best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May.
Is there cell service at Battle Pass Scenic Byway?
None on the high stretch; service in Encampment and Baggs.