Great American Rail-Trail In Wyoming
Platte River Trail in Wyoming | Photo by Mike McLemore
Wyoming trails have the potential to host an incredible stretch of the Great American Rail-Trail route, with the state’s unique landscapes and already world-renowned outdoor recreation assets. Working closely with state and local officials and trail developers, RTC has identified a preferred route through the state that prioritizes opportunities for economic development and stretches from Casper, Wyoming, to Livingston, Montana. Important community connectors, such as the developing Casper Rail Trail, Al’s Way in Glenrock and the Platte River Trail with its pioneer history, are helping to build momentum for statewide trail development.
While its topography presents a challenge for trail builders, Wyoming has recently made a statewide commitment to trails and active transportation that supports the completion of the Great American route and further enhances the state’s outdoor tourism economy.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since [RTC] came to Casper to talk with Platte River Trails about the Great American Rail-Trail. I remember how excited I was and how energized the board felt—many of them avid cyclists—at the idea of a trail crossing our beautiful state. We were equally inspired by the possibility of strengthening our regional trail system, extending east toward Douglas and west toward Alcova.”
Support a Multiuse Trail Connection through Powell, Park County, and Beyond!
Powell, Wyoming, has the potential to be a host community to a trail across the country that will be used by local residents and long-distance travelers alike.
The Great American Rail-Trail® connects Washington, D.C., and Washington state across 12 states, including Wyoming. It’s over 50% complete right now, with more than 2,000 miles completed on the ground. Powell lies along one of the remaining gaps in the route. Filling the trail gap will help give Powell residents a safe pathway to walk, bike, and roll, and it will give people another reason to visit and contribute to the Powell economy. Wyoming stands to see more than $13 million in annual visitor spending when the Great American Rail-Trail is complete—and Powell is ripe to benefit from that.
Now is the time for Powell and Park County to invest in a trail system that connects communities throughout the county with benefits for residents and visitors alike.
Sign the petition to encourage the City of Powell and Park County to invest in connecting a multiuse trail through Powell and beyond.
Wyoming stories along the Great American Rail-Trail
The “Great American” Route Through Wyoming
Wyoming has the potential to be an incredible section of the Great American Rail-Trail, with its unique landscapes and outdoor recreation assets. However, because of Wyoming’s topography, any route through the state will require sizable grade increases at several locations, and currently, there are not significant miles of multiuse trail available to route a trail across the state. As a result, Wyoming has more trail gaps to develop—at just over 500 miles—than any other state along the Great American route. RTC reviewed mapping data, as well as various plans in Wyoming, identifying potential routes through the state that could present opportunities for the Great American. In addition, Wyoming’s Office of Outdoor Recreation has strong Outdoor Recreation Collaboratives that are poised to help make the trail a reality.
517.6
Total Miles20.1
Existing Miles517.6
Gap Miles3.9%
Complete
Great American Rail-Trail Route Assessment (2026)
The Great American Rail-Trail Route Assessment 2026 defined the preferred route of the Great American Rail- Trail as more than 3,700 miles—with 2,086 miles of existing trails and 1,674 miles of trail gaps.
Economic Potential of the Great American Rail-Trail Report (2022)
Investments could generate more than $229.4 million in visitor spending, $104 million in labor income, and $22.8 million in new tax revenue.
Trails Along the Route
Gateway Trail: Casper Rail Trail
The Casper Rail Trail begins near Pou Road south of Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park and continues over 9 miles through the center of Casper, from state Route 256/Hat 6 Road and U.S. 20/26 west to South Spruce Street. The first section of the Casper Rail Trail was constructed in 1998, and 3 new miles were added in 2025 with a grant from the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative Grant Program. The city of Casper was granted a Certificate of Interim Trail Use by the Surface Transportation Board to permit trail development. Platte River Trails was the entity created to develop the trail since 2002, while operations and maintenance of the trail are the responsibilities of the city of Casper. View trail map on TrailLink.
Douglas Trail System
The Douglas Trail System traces the North Platte River north and south. In 2019, Douglas extended the trail system from Richards Street south to Robin Lane along an abandoned rail corridor using grant funding from the Wyoming Department of Transportation. View trail map on TrailLink.
Al’s Way
The 2.1-mile Al’s Way was named after Glenrock High School track coach Al Finch, who has since retired but is well-known in the community. The rail corridor was purchased in 1990, and a trail was initially constructed in 1994. In 2020, Al’s Way was extended to the eastern and western limits of Glenrock with the assistance of grant funding from the Wyoming Department of Transportation and the Wyoming Business Council. View trail map on TrailLink.
Platte River Trail
Platte River Trails owns and maintains this 10-mile concrete trail that follows the North Platte River through Casper. The Platte River Trail will host the Great American Rail-Trail for 1.7 miles, crossing the North Platte River and heading further west into Natrona County. This portion of the trail crosses the Platte River at the Tate Pumphouse, a restored historical building that now houses the offices of Platte River Trails. View trail map on TrailLink.
East Bighorn River Trail
A trail follows the Bighorn River through Thermopolis and provides access to Hot Springs State Park, a major attraction in the Bighorn Basin.
Greybull River Walk
The Greybull Riverwalk travels south to north through the town of Greybull, Wyoming, for 1.9 miles. The trail travels on the east side of Greybull along the Bighorn River. The trail is accessible every five blocks or so throughout town, with a safe crossing provided underneath U.S. 14/Greybull Avenue. The Greybull Riverwalk ends to the north on U.S. 20/U.S. 14/ state Route 789/U.S. 16, just north of 13th Avenue. View trail map on TrailLink.
Beck Lake Park Trail
Just minutes from downtown Cody, the Beck Lake Park Bike Trail wraps around the perimeter of Beck Lake Park’s two reservoir lakes and also parallels a portion of the Cody Canal. View trail map on TrailLink.
Listen To Oral History:
Completing the Great American Rail-Trail: Catalyst Initiatives in Wyoming
In every state along the preferred route of the Great American, needs for completing the trail vary. To spur trail completion, RTC has identified initial catalyst initiatives—projects or challenges that would most benefit from RTC’s national breadth of resources. (View the complete list of catalyst initiatives and criteria here.) Through these initiatives, RTC will support local and state partners, investing time, expertise and organizational resources in specific projects that are critical to the ultimate completion of the Great American Rail-Trail.
Great American Rail-Trail Gap #63: Glenrock to Evansville
In its final report of statewide trail and active transportation recommendations, the Wyoming Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force recommends that completing a trail between Glenrock and Evansville should be a priority as part of the Great American Rail-Trail. RTC will provide technical and planning assistance to Platte River Trails, Wyoming Pathways and Wyoming State Parks to determine ownership of the former rail line; engage with property owners and stakeholders; determine who will own and maintain the trail after completion; implement cost estimation; complete a feasibility study; pursue public funding; and provide design, engineering and construction assistance.
Great American Rail-Trail Preferred Route
