Centennial Scenic Byway
Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway
The Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway begins in Wind River Country near Dubois and weaves its way up to Togwotee Pass above 9,000 feet in elevation. Here towering breccia cliffs—made up of volcanic debris and carved by glaciers into sand-castle-like turrets and battlements—surround the highway as it skirts the southern edge of the Absaroka Mountains.
You’ll cross the Continental Divide at Togwotee Pass, which separates the Bridger-Teton National Forest from the Shoshone National Forest. The Bridger-Teton is known for its wildlife-watching opportunities, so keep your eyes open for moose wandering in the willows or a grizzly bear ambling across the road. The forest’s 3.4 million acres are home to a variety of animals, the most famous of them being the “charismatic megafauna, ” which include bears, elk, moose, mule deer, wolves, coyotes, bison, mountain lion and bighorn sheep. You may get a glimpse of at least of few of these species as you make your way along the Centennial Scenic Byway.
In addition, the Bridger-Teton offers great bird watching with larger raptors, swans, owls, sandhill cranes and waterfowl being easy to spot from your car. More than 30 species of raptors make their home in the forest and on a clear day, you can often spot red-tailed hawks and golden eagles riding the thermals high above your car.
The Shoshone National Forest, which lies on the eastern side of the Continental Divide, encompasses 2.4 million acres and includes three mountain ranges and 156 glaciers. The Shoshone is the nation’s first National Forest and is known for its huge expanses of Wilderness.
Both national forests can be enjoyed from your car and offer numerous pullouts, campgrounds and picnic areas to help you enjoy your stay. To delve deeper into the wilds, you can take short day hikes off the road, or load up your backpack and head out for a longer stint in the mountains. Wind River Country outfitters can provide you with guided trips either by foot, or with the help of pack animals like goats, llamas and horses if you are feeling adventurous.
From Togwotee Pass, the Centennial Scenic Byway slowly loses elevation. Suddenly, you will round the corner and be faced with the jagged peaks of the Teton Mountains. This is the end of Wind River Country. The Scenic Byway then heads into Grand Teton and through Jackson Hole to the west side of the Wind River Range.
The Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway begins in Wind River Country near Dubois and weaves its way up to Togwotee Pass above 9,000 feet in elevation. Here towering breccia cliffs—made up of volcanic debris and carved by glaciers into sand-castle-like turrets and battlements—surround the highway as it skirts the southern edge of the Absaroka Mountains.
You’ll cross the Continental Divide at Togwotee Pass, which separates the Bridger-Teton National Forest from the Shoshone National Forest. The Bridger-Teton is known for its wildlife-watching opportunities, so keep your eyes open for moose wandering in the willows or a grizzly bear ambling across the road. The forest’s 3.4 million acres are home to a variety of animals, the most famous of them being the “charismatic megafauna, ” which include bears, elk, moose, mule deer, wolves, coyotes, bison, mountain lion and bighorn sheep. You may get a glimpse of at least of few of these species as you make your way along the Centennial Scenic Byway.
In addition, the Bridger-Teton offers great bird watching with larger raptors, swans, owls, sandhill cranes and waterfowl being easy to spot from your car. More than 30 species of raptors make their home in the forest and on a clear day, you can often spot red-tailed hawks and golden eagles riding the thermals high above your car.
The Shoshone National Forest, which lies on the eastern side of the Continental Divide, encompasses 2.4 million acres and includes three mountain ranges and 156 glaciers. The Shoshone is the nation’s first National Forest and is known for its huge expanses of Wilderness.
Both national forests can be enjoyed from your car and offer numerous pullouts, campgrounds and picnic areas to help you enjoy your stay. To delve deeper into the wilds, you can take short day hikes off the road, or load up your backpack and head out for a longer stint in the mountains. Wind River Country outfitters can provide you with guided trips either by foot, or with the help of pack animals like goats, llamas and horses if you are feeling adventurous.
From Togwotee Pass, the Centennial Scenic Byway slowly loses elevation. Suddenly, you will round the corner and be faced with the jagged peaks of the Teton Mountains. This is the end of Wind River Country. The Scenic Byway then heads into Grand Teton and through Jackson Hole to the west side of the Wind River Range.
