Access
The Bow River Ranger Station is accessed from Laramie, Wyoming
by taking Interstate 80 west from Laramie 56 miles to the Elk Mountain
exit 255, travel south to Elk Mountain approximately 3 miles. Cross
the Medicine Bow River and travel south approximately 13 miles on
National Forest System Road (NFSR) 101 to the Bow River Work Center
which will be located on the east side (right) of NFSR 101. The
Bow River Ranger Station is accessed from Rawlins, Wyoming by taking
Interstate 80 east from Rawlins approximately 42 miles to the Elk
Mountain exit 255; travel south to Elk Mountain approximately 3
miles. (See above directions from Elk Mountain.)
Attractions & Considerations
This house is located at the edge of the forest and has a variety
of amenities. Enjoy the fishing in the Bow River, or nearby streams,
and beaver ponds. Hiking, mountain biking, horseshoes, picnicking,
horseback riding and driving secondary gravel and dirt roads for
pleasure. You may see deer, antelope, elk, moose, cattle grazing,
and a variety of birds. If you wish to bring your own saddle or
pack stock, they may be kept in the fenced area, but not in the
yard. A rate of $1.00 per night per head of livestock will be charged.
Items that should be brought along include bedding/sleeping bag,
food, dish soap and sponge, trash bags, paper towels, warm clothing,
first aid kit, flashlight, towels and washcloths, personal hygiene
items and other personal items. Basic cooking and eating utensils,
plates, knives, forks, spoons, cups, and basic pots and pans are
furnished. If you use these, they need to be cleaned and put up
after use. The garbage is pack it in, pack it out.
Narrative
The Bow River Ranger Station is actually a crew quarter building
that was constructed in 1964 to provide housing for seasonal crews
on the Bow River Ranger District. Bow River Ranger Station was summer
quarters while the District office and winter residence was located
in Medicine Bow, Wyoming. The Forest Service no longer owns the
facilities in Medicine Bow, though the Natural Resource Conservation
Service, USDA, now uses the office complex.
This portion of the Forest was declared the Medicine Bow Forest
Reserve in 1902 and included forest lands in Colorado. This area
was divided at the state line in 1908 and was named the Cheyenne
National Forest. In 1910 this area was renamed the Medicine Bow
National Forest. The Bow River Ranger District was combined with
and renamed the Brush Creek Ranger District.
The barracks is of frame construction and was completed in 1964.
The building had received little use and, the District decided to
make it available to the public for rental use. The crew quarter
is available for rent to the public under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.
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