Big Spring Scenic Backway

A Wild Mountain Drive

Plunging deep into western Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest for 68 mountainous miles, the Big Spring Scenic Backway traverses the landscape where prehistoric creatures roamed the earth, crisscrosses historic wagon trails, parallels willowed river valleys, and winds past mountain overlooks dotted with wildflowers. This backway is Wyoming’s wildest road through a very rugged landscape, yet amazingly, the ground you will be covering is well worn. More than one hundred and fifty years ago, thousands of pioneers took the arduous journey over these same mountains while hauling wagons loaded with all their possessions in search of a better life. Their abandoned homesteads and wagon wheel ruts can still be seen along the way. But the pioneers were not the only beings traveling this rugged terrain. Today, the Tunp Mountain Range is home to more animals than people, and as you meander the roads up here, you can often spot the “Bridger Big Five” in one day – moose, coyote, bobcats, bighorn sheep, and black bears. Even though the road is unpaved in places along the route, traveling the Big Spring Scenic Backway immerses you in a wild world untouched by modern hands. Prepare well and enjoy this completely unique route.