Getting Oriented
The byway begins about 13 miles northwest of Casper, where U.S. 20/26 meets Natrona County Road 125, and works north through sagebrush basin and red-rock breaks below the southern Big Horn Mountains. The Red Wall is the landmark, a long sandstone escarpment, red and near-vertical, that runs for miles and historically funneled cattle drives and outlaws through a few gaps. The Bureau of Land Management manages the route through its Casper Field Office.
Trail Overview
Roughly a third of the route is paved; the rest is graded gravel and dirt in generally good condition. It follows part of the 33-mile Stock Driveway, a historic cattle route, toward Buffalo Creek and the Red Wall. Most high-clearance vehicles handle it in dry summer and fall weather, though rain turns the clay sections greasy and a stretch or two may call for 4WD before the road is graded. Plan at least four hours of driving and treat it as a full day with stops. Trailers, fifth-wheels, and motorhomes are not suited to it.
Points of Interest
- The Red Wall. The route's namesake escarpment, a red sandstone wall that runs for miles along the western edge of the drive.
- Hole-in-the-Wall. Near the northern end, the byway passes close to the box-canyon country that sheltered Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch and other outlaws in the 1890s.
- The Stock Driveway. A historic cattle-drive corridor the route traces toward Buffalo Creek.
Where to Camp
There are no developed campgrounds directly on the byway; dispersed camping is the norm on the surrounding BLM land. Casper and the towns along Interstate 25 have full services, and the BLM Casper Field Office can advise on current dispersed-use rules and any seasonal restrictions.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Fill the tank before you leave Casper. There is no fuel on the route.
- Carry water, food, and recovery gear; you may not see another vehicle for hours.
- Check the forecast and the BLM Casper Field Office for road conditions. Wet clay can strand a vehicle that handled the same road easily when dry.
- Turn back if conditions deteriorate rather than pushing a marginal section.
- Respect private inholdings and gates along the historic stock route, and leave gates as you find them.
Fuel and Water
Casper is the last reliable fuel, water, and supplies. There is no fuel on the byway, so top off before leaving town and carry more water than a single day seems to need.
Nearby
Casper sits on the North Platte River with full services and museums on the Oregon, California, and Mormon trails that crossed here. The Hole-in-the-Wall country and the southern Big Horn Mountains lie north of the route.
