Purgatory Gulch Trailhead

Facility · Wyoming ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Medicine Bow National Forest (NF) · Open Access

7,799 ft
Elevation

The Purgatory Gulch Trailhead provides access to the Encampment River Trail and Encampment River Wilderness. High clearance 4WD vehicles are recommended and trailers cannot be turned around at the trailhead.

Dispersed camping is not allowed within 300 feet of the trailhead but is allowed along the trail as long as the camp is more than 100 feet from the trail, lakes or streams.  Nearest facilities are approximately five miles north of the Purgatory/Encampment River trails junction, at the BLM Odd Fellows campground. This campground is on the Encampment River at the north access to the Encampment River Trail.

Getting there

From WY State Highway 230 one mile east of Riverside,Wy turn onto Carbon County Rd 211. Continue for six miles to the junction with BLM road 409.1B. Turn onto the BLM Road 409.1B and continue two miles to the trailhead.

41.13336, -106.77625 · 41°8'0.1"N 106°46'34.5"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in5.55.05.04.83.61.81.21.71.94.15.15.2

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Purgatory Gulch Trailhead

Can you reserve a site at Purgatory Gulch Trailhead?
No. Purgatory Gulch Trailhead is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Purgatory Gulch Trailhead

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Contact

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.