Withdrawal extended to continue protection of Castle Gardens Recreation Area
The Bureau of Land Management today announced that the Department of the Interior has extended a 110-acre withdrawal in the Castle Gardens Recreation Area in Washakie County for another 20 years. The extension ensures that Castle Gardens will continue to be managed to protect its outstanding recreational and scenic opportunities.
The public surface and subsurface estate of the Castle Gardens Recreation Area was first withdrawn from settlement, sale, location and entry under the general mining laws in 1984. That withdrawal was extended in 2004 and again today with the Federal Register publication of the public land order announcing the extension.
Because of the unique and fragile nature of the natural resources found at Castle Gardens, continued protection of both the public surface and the subsurface estate is essential to prevent any adverse impacts to these resources, as well as to the capital investments the BLM has made there.
This announcement follows an April 2024 public comment period, during which no opposition to the withdrawal extension was received.
The Castle Gardens Recreation Area is located about seven miles southwest of Ten Sleep in the Bighorn Basin. It preserves unique geological features like hoodoos, cliffs and pedestals, as well as panoramic views of the Bighorn Mountains. Approximately 1,500 people visit each year to hike, picnic, camp, take photos, and enjoy the remoteness, quiet and scenery. View photos of Castle Gardens at our flickr album.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.