Crookston Ranch Cultural Site
Facility · Wyoming ·
Managed by the Bureau of Land Management
Rock Springs Field Office (Bureau of Land Management WY) · Open Access
- 6,990 ft
- Elevation
Crookston Ranch is an 1880s homestead, located on the banks of Nitchie Creek. The ranch was homesteaded by Joseph Crookston, who came to Sweetwater County from Illinois as a young boy. After spending a few years as a laborer in Rock Springs, he started the ranch in 1887 at 22 years old. Joseph lived and worked at Crookston Ranch for 28 years until his death in 1915. He never married but lived and worked with his ranch hand, Frank Baker. History claims Butch Cassidy would use the Crookston Ranch to rest and re-horse when on the run from the Federal Marshals.
The site is located on publicly managed land due to an error in the filing of homestead papers. The associated spring is fed by ice cells in the adjacent sand dunes.
Getting there
Take State Highway 191 north to mile marker 10. Head East on County Road 4-17 22 miles to BLM 4115. Go West on BLM 4115 two miles to the Crookston Ranch Access route. Keep east at the fork, 1 mile to the site.
41.95660, -109.08241 · 41°57'23.8"N 109°4'56.7"W
Typical weather
Typically 83°F in Jul, down to 28°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 28 | 30 | 43 | 54 | 64 | 74 | 83 | 81 | 71 | 57 | 41 | 30 |
| Low °F | -4 | -2 | 14 | 22 | 32 | 40 | 45 | 44 | 33 | 22 | 10 | -2 |
| Precip in | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.4 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 21.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
No fees.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
Member photos
Common questions about Crookston Ranch Cultural Site
- Can you reserve a site at Crookston Ranch Cultural Site?
- No. Crookston Ranch Cultural Site is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near Crookston Ranch Cultural Site
- North Table Rock Camping Area 2.6 mi · Facility
- Cedar Canyon Petroglyphs Interpretive Site 4.5 mi · Facility
- Boar's Tusk 6 mi · Facility
- Sand Dunes WSA 8.3 mi · Facility
- Tri-Territory Site 8.9 mi · Facility
- White Mountain Petroglyphs 10.2 mi · Facility
- Buffalo Hump WSA 12.9 mi · Facility
- Alkali Draw WSA 15.1 mi · Facility
- South Pinnacles WSA 18.8 mi · Facility
- The Pinnacles Geologic Site 20.9 mi · Facility
- Superior Mail Arrow 21 mi · Facility
- Little Sandy Crossing 22.5 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 307-352-0256
- Email BLM_WY_Rock_Springs_WYmail@blm.gov
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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