Shoshone National Forest

USDA Forest Service
Shoshone
National Forest
808 Meadow Lane
Cody, WY 82414
307-578-1200
307-527-6241

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
307-578-1294

Forest Facts

The Shoshone National Forest covers nearly 2.5 million acres, with more than 1.5 million acres of wilderness. It contains some of the most rugged, remote and scenic areas in the country. Elevations on the Shoshone range from 4,600 feet at the mouth of the spectacular Clarks Fork Canyon to 13,804 feet on Gannett Peak, Wyoming's highest point.

History

The Shoshone National Forest was first created in 1891 as the Yellowstone Timberland Reserve. Later this became the Shoshone National Forest, the first national forest in the nation. It is named for the Shoshoni Indians who lived in this area. The Arapahoe, Blackfeet, Commanche, Crow, Nez Perce, Northern Cheyenne, and Souix tribes also hunted, traveled, traded and fought in the area. Such mountain men as John Colter and Jim Bridger were early visitors as well. The ghost town of Kirwin, an early-day mining town, is a window to the past, recalling one of the colorful eras in Wyoming's history. The remains of tie hack flumes and cabins on the southern end of the forest are reminders of another era during which millions of railroad ties were produced.

Organization

Forest Supervisor Rebecca Aus leads a team of 7 staff officers and approximately 100 total employees dispersed between a Supervisors Office and five District Offices. See our Organization page for district information.

Recreation

Three mountain ranges, hundreds of alpine lakes, rushing streams, backcountry trails, scenic roads and a plethora of wildlife provide diverse recreation opportunities. Hunting, fishing, camping, backpacking, mountain climbing, ice climbing, horseback riding, rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, motor touring, photography, wildlife viewing, skiing and snowmobiling are some of the activities that can be enjoyed on the Shoshone. Check out our Recreation page. Also, review our Special Orders page before recreating. Special Orders are current restricitions on activities or areas on the Shoshone.

Natural Resources

The Forest Service is all about sustaining resources—land, water, vegetation, and wildlife.

Heritage resources are important remnants of the past—prehistoric and historic human culture and ancient animal life. See our Natural Resources page.

Rules & Regulations

General rules for national forests and grasslands include details about camping, pets, firearms, permits, and more. See our Special Orders page before recreating to be informed of specific regulations here on the Shoshone.

Service First

Service First is a partnership between the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. This partnership provides one-stop shopping, just as the trading post did in the frontier days.

Working With Others

Forest Service staff work with volunteers, teachers, groups, tribes, permittees, contractors, and other agencies.