RED CREEK BADLANDS WILDERNESS STUDY AREA

Values

The WSA provides opportunities for experiencing naturalness, solitude, and primitive and unconfined recreation. The WSA is a highly scenic, fragile watershed area including valuable wildlife habitat. The area is characterized by rugged terrain composed of sharply eroded cliffs, butte tops, benches, and draws with intermittent streams draining into Red Creek and eventually the Green River. Elevation in the WSA ranges from 7,000 to 7,900 feet above sea level. The coloration of the rocks and cliffs, mixed with the various shades of vegetation provide a most interesting landscape. Pinon pine stands, a rare occurrence at this latitude, can also be found.

Visitation Information

Take US 191 south from Rock Springs 31 miles to county road 4-34. Turn east onto 4-34 for 6 miles to the intersection with county road 4-27. In two miles county 4-27 will become the east boundary road for Red Creek WSA. The Red Creek Badlands WSA encompasses 8,020 acres of BLM-administered land and 640 acres of state land. The study area is a fragile watershed and contains highly erodible red shales and sandstones. Vegetation consists primarily of greasewood in the draws, sagebrush on the beach areas, and juniper on the upper slopes. Motorized travel is expressly prohibited. Additionally, the WSA is closed to mineral entry, including gold panning.

Visitor Advisory

Access to wild lands inherently requires good navigational skills and four-wheel drive or high-clearance vehicles. Visitors should be prepared for adverse weather and road conditions. The WSAs in the BLM Field Office are primarily accessed by unnamed or unsigned two-track roads that in many cases may be difficult to find without sufficient navigational skills and equipment.

Wilderness Study Areas

WSAs are undeveloped federal lands that retain their primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, and are managed so as not to impair their suitability for preservation as wilderness. Backcountry recreation is a common use along with Leave no Trace Outdoor ethics. Please be advised these areas are restricted and do not allow for the use of motorized and mechanized equipment.