Snowy Range Scenic Byway
WY-130, Centennial, WY
Centennial, WY
A ribbon of highway climbing to the roof of the Medicine Bow, past pale quartzite peaks and mirror-still lakes above the treeline.
The Snowy Range Scenic Byway is one of the great high drives of the American West, climbing over the Medicine Bow Mountains between Centennial and Saratoga to one of the highest paved passes in the country. Near the top the road breaks above the treeline into a world of pale, glittering peaks, glacial lakes, and open tundra.
The mountains take their popular name, the Snowy Range, from the light-colored quartzite of the high summits, which shine so brightly they look snow-covered even in late summer. Because so much of the drive is so high, the top of the byway is open only during the short mountain summer, making a crossing feel like a fleeting gift.
What Guests Love
- Cresting one of the highest paved passes in the country, high above treeline
- The luminous pale quartzite peaks reflected in glacial lakes
- Easy access to alpine trails, fishing lakes, and picnic spots right off the road
- Wildflower meadows and cool mountain air in the heart of summer
Worth Knowing
- The high stretch of the byway closes in the snowy months and opens only for the short high-country summer
- It climbs above treeline where weather turns fast; carry layers and watch for afternoon storms
- The elevation is significant, so take it easy if you are not used to thin air
- Fill up on fuel and water in the valley towns before the climb
Details
Centennial, WY
Learn about Snowy Range Scenic Byway
Over the roof of the Medicine Bow
From the valley towns the byway climbs steadily through pine and aspen, then higher into spruce and fir, and at last breaks out above treeline onto open alpine tundra near the pass. Overlooks along the way frame the pale summits of the range, including its high point, against the sky.
This is one of the highest paved through-roads in the nation, and the sense of being on the roof of the world is real. Because of the snow, the high section opens only for the brief summer season and closes again with the first heavy storms of fall.
Quartzite peaks and glacial lakes
The luminous peaks of the Snowy Range are made largely of ancient quartzite, a hard, pale rock that gives the summits their bright, snow-like sheen. Glaciers of the ice ages carved cirques and basins into the range and left behind a scattering of clear alpine lakes.
Lakes like Mirror Lake and Lake Marie lie right beside the road below the highest peaks, so still on a calm morning that they double the mountains in their surface. Trails lead from the lakes up toward the summits, into a fragile world of tundra plants and stunning views.
Hiking, fishing, and the short high summer
The byway is a gateway to the high country of the Medicine Bow, with trailheads, picnic areas, and campgrounds strung along its length. Short walks lead to lakeshores and overlooks, and longer routes climb to the peaks and remote basins for those who want a full day out.
The lakes and streams offer good trout fishing in a spectacular setting, and the high meadows fill with wildflowers in the brief weeks of summer. It is a landscape to savor quickly, because the season here is short and the snow returns early to the high road.
Wildlife, seasons, and the valley towns
Elk, mule deer, moose in the willow bottoms, marmots and pikas in the rocks, and a range of high-country birds live along the byway, and the alpine flowers draw a brief, brilliant burst of pollinators in summer. Watch the tundra gently and stay on trails, as the high plants are slow to recover.
The drive links the friendly mountain town of Centennial on the east with Saratoga and its valley on the west, each a pleasant base. Summer is the only time to cross the top, fall gilds the aspen on the lower slopes, and in winter the high road sleeps under deep snow while the lower reaches draw skiers and snowmobilers.
Closest Boutels
The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.
Things to Do Near Centennial
Centennial
At the east base
A small mountain town and gateway to the byway, with a local history museum and easy trail access.
Saratoga
At the west end
A valley town on the North Platte, known for its free public hot spring pool.
Laramie
About 30 miles east
A lively university town with a historic downtown and the Wyoming Territorial Prison site.