The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Smack dab in the middle of Wyoming lies the fascinating Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site, which is just one of over 800 unique sites protected by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The site gets its name from the sandstone formations that have been eroded into shapes resembling the towers and turrets of a stone castle. The Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site is most known for the amazing Native American art that can be seen on the soft sandstone throughout the area. Guests visit from all over to get a firsthand look at the treasure trove of history that lies on the surfaces of the stones. The glyphs at the site feature images of human and animal figures, circular shields, and water turtles. The consensus of researchers is that the rock art was carved by the Athabaskans sometime between A.D. 1000 and 1250.
Although the area is one of the few BLM sites without any established campgrounds, that doesn't mean that you won't find opportunities there to enjoy BLM camping. Visitors are more than welcome to enjoy primitive camping, and the area also offers great options for hiking and wildlife observation.
The Garden Creek Waterfall loop is a leisurely trail found near the city of Casper, WY. The route, which is best visited between March and October, features a waterfall, wildflowers, and beautiful views of the landscape.
Length: 1.3 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Cone Hill Loop is another great hiking trail near Casper. The trail does feature a bit of elevation gain, but it isn't difficult overall, and hikers of all skill and fitness levels should be able to handle it. The loop trail is well-maintained and should provide the opportunity for solitude. Keep in mind that the route doesn't offer any real shade and can be quite hot during the summer months. If you're visiting on a sunny day, bring plenty of water and sun protection.
Length: 3.3 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Split Rock Trail is a unique out-and-back trail near Jeffrey City, WY. The main feature of the route is the 1,000-foot-tall Split Rock, which was a useful navigational landmark for emigrants who passed through the area during the 19th century. If you hike the trail, you'll get a great look at the towering geological formation from the overlook area.
Length: 4.7 miles
Intensity: Easy
You won't find too many bodies of water near the Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site, but there are still fishing opportunities in the area. If you're looking to do some angling, one option is to travel northwest to Boysen State Park, which lies on the banks of the Boysen Reservoir within the Wind River Reservation. The large body of water contains a wonderful fishery, primarily inhabited by walleye, sauger, perch, crappie, ling, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and brown trout. The reservoir is inviting for boaters as well as it contains a boat ramp and plenty of space for motorized boats, watersports, or paddling.
In the area surrounding the Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site, there are quite a few species that visitors may be lucky enough to see. Pronghorn antelope, elk, prairie dogs, foxes, squirrels, and mule deer are only a handful of the animals that have been spotted in the region. There are also numerous interesting avian species that you might catch flying by. Some of the most popular nearby spots for wildlife observation are Casper Mountain and the Platte River Trails.
There aren't any picnic tables located at the Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site. However, visitors do have the opportunity to lay out a picnic blanket within sight of the fascinating rock formations. If you use your imagination, you can pretend you're eating outside the walls of a real medieval castle! There's also the option to hike over to one of the nearby ponds or small reservoirs and have your picnic beside the water.
BLM RV camping is a possibility at the Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site as long as you don't mind roughing it. No Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are found in the area, and you'll have to travel a significant distance to find any established campgrounds at all. If you require a camping area with RV hookups and modern amenities, you'll likely need to head to one of the relatively nearby towns. For example, if you travel southwest to Kotey Place, you can stay at the Twin Pines RV Park & Campgrounds, which features 20 large, full-hookup RV sites.
Any camping that you do at the Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site will be Bureau of Land Management free camping. Since any campgrounds that charge fees are at least half an hour away, your only option at the actual site will be to stake out your own dispersed campsite. There's plenty of open space to consider, but you may have trouble finding a shaded, secluded area. If you do put up a campsite, make sure you're doing so on a durable surface.
If you're planning a trip to the Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site, plan for having limited access to any resources or conveniences. Once you're at the site, it will be a major hassle to travel to any communities that feature stores, food, or water. Bring plenty of extra drinking water in case of emergency and extra food that requires minimal preparation. You may also have to go without cellphone service while you're in the area, so let your family or friends know exactly where you'll be. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
The BLM asks that you make your best effort to leave no trace of your visit to the Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site. Most importantly, do not touch or do anything that may risk damaging the ancient petroglyphs. It's also imperative that you avoid littering, confronting local wildlife, or disturbing anything you come across in nature.
To reach the Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site from Casper, take US Hwy 20/26 west for about 78 miles to Castle Garden Road, just before Moneta. Turn left at the sign for Castle Gardens, and then continue heading south for roughly 15 miles. At that point, you'll encounter another BLM sign. Follow the sign to head east for approximately six more miles, and you'll reach the site.
Ready to visit Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
