Platte River Wilderness: Douglas Creek Trail

Platte River Wilderness, Medicine Bow National Forest (Pelton Creek and Douglas Creek trailheads, south of Laramie near Foxpark)

The Platte River Wilderness protects about 23,500 acres on the Wyoming-Colorado line, nearly all of it in Wyoming’s Medicine Bow National Forest. The Forest Service gives its average elevation as 7,700 feet, much lower than the Snowy Range to the north.

Its main hiking trail follows Douglas Creek for 9.5 miles through an open canyon, with trailheads at both ends. The Forest Service suggests a loop from Pelton Creek using the Douglas Creek and Platte River Trails.

The hike

The Forest Service describes the Douglas Creek Trail as running 9.5 miles through an open canyon. SummitPost, which gives 9.3 miles, says the trail follows Douglas Creek from just above its confluence with the North Platte River up to its confluence with Pelton Creek. About 4 miles from the lower end, it meets the Devil’s Gate and Platte Ridge Trails.

Compulsive Hiker, a hiking blog, started at Pelton Creek Campground in July 2019 and hiked north (downstream) along Douglas Creek. The author describes elevations of roughly 8,000 to 8,300 feet along the trail, with ridges to about 9,000 feet, and notes that the trail is mostly open with little shade. Temperatures neared 85 degrees. The group camped about 6 miles in, roughly a mile south of the mouth of Devil’s Gate Creek.

On day two the group tried the Devil’s Gate Creek Trail toward the remains of Thompson Lodge, found occasional downfall in the woods, likely missed a turn, and turned back as a storm approached. They camped again on the way out and finished with a 2.5-mile walk on day three. The author also relayed another group’s report that the Platte Ridge Trail had “so much downfall as to be unpassable.”

The trip was a backup. The author had planned to go near Medicine Bow Peak, about 20 miles north, but there was “still too much snow at that elevation” a week before. When the high country is still snowed in, this lower wilderness was this group’s alternative.

At the lower end, SummitPost says informal camping is allowed along the North Platte River and on the short approach road to the trailhead, and that the trailhead has a small dirt lot, a signboard, and an old outhouse but no water.

For a high-country trip nearby, see the Snowy Range Gap Lakes and Medicine Bow Peak Loop.

Tips

Carry plenty of water and sun protection. The trail is open and can be hot.
Arrange a shuttle between trailheads, or plan an out-and-back.
Expect long gravel drives. SummitPost says logging may delay traffic on weekdays.
Camp 100 feet from water and trails.
Bring a map if you try the side trails; Compulsive Hiker likely missed a turn on Devil’s Gate Creek.

Camping

The Forest Service says dispersed camping is widespread in the Platte River Wilderness, and that camping and campfires are not allowed within 100 feet of lakes, streams, and trails, or farther where posted. Groups are limited to 12, with livestock counted in the total, and organized groups need a permit. Grazing stock can’t be tied within 100 feet of water or trails, and only certified weed-free feed is allowed. The Forest Service encourages stoves, fire pans, and existing fire rings where fires are allowed; the Medicine Bow’s Stage 1 order (02-06-00-26-205, July 24 through Dec. 31, 2026, unless rescinded) limits open fires to permanent Forest Service fire pits at developed campgrounds or picnic areas. Six Mile Gap and Pelton Creek campgrounds are nearby.

Inside Intel: Compulsive Hiker camped along Douglas Creek about a mile south of the mouth of Devil’s Gate Creek and was glad of the shade on an 85-degree day. Look for trees: the author says shade is scarce along the creek.

Trail facts

Distance: 9.5 miles one way (Forest Service); 9.3 miles (SummitPost)
Route type: Point to point with a shuttle, or out and back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: About 7,480 feet at the lower trailhead (SummitPost); 8,000-8,300 feet along the trail (Compulsive Hiker)
Campsites: Dispersed along Douglas Creek
Water: Douglas Creek; none at the trailhead; treat it
Permits: None for individuals; required for organized groups
Group size: 12, including livestock
Trailheads: Pelton Creek (upper end); lower end near the North Platte River
Last verified: October 17, 2026

The Lowdown

Shade along Douglas Creek:

One July trip found the Douglas Creek Trail open and near 85 degrees, and chose a camp for its shade. See the sleeping pads reviewers like for warm, low-elevation nights.

Read the full guide →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.