Wyoming · Hiking · Near Laramie

Turtle Rock Loop

2.9 mi
loop
200 ft
climb
8,233 ft
high point
Loop
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Turtle Rock Loop open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 3 alerts for Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Turtle Rock Loop is an easy, 2.9-mile loop in the Laramie Ranger District of Wyoming's Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. The trail climbs about 200 feet from a low of 8,026 feet to a high of 8,233 feet, and it is managed by the Forest Service. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Laramie put July highs around 81°F with lows near 52°F, while temperatures on the trail run a bit cooler. Winter is cold, with January highs around 33°F and lows near 12°F. The loop is a natural-surface trail and is open year-round. Parking is at the Nautilus Rock trailhead, and the trip takes about an hour. Climbers will find Hassler's Hatbox and Chinatown within a quarter mile, and Vedauwoo Campground is about 0.4 miles away for an overnight stay. The Valley Massif Trail lies roughly 1.1 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Vedauwoo Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Mingles

    Bar

    On your way back · 14 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Cogdogblog, CC BY 2.0 (commons)

More in Laramie

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Turtle Rock Loop

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      33° / 12°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 15°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      44° / 21°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      51° / 28°

      11 wet

    5. May

      60° / 36°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 46°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 52°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 49°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 43°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      56° / 31°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 23°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      34° / 14°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Laramie 4se, WY, 11.6 mi away at 7,390 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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