Your Guide to the Best Winter on the Platte River Trails

​Winter on the Platte River Trails offers a magical and whimsical experience not found during the spring and summer months. While it’s common to consider the trails most frequented during warmer weather, the snow, frosted foliage, and icy North Platte River make the Platte River Trails a unique winter wonderland right in our own backyards. Experience the wintery magic on the trails with this guide to the best winter activities on the trails.

Winter Trail Activities
The trails are a great outdoor recreation spot year-round (yes, even in the cold!). This winter, stick to old favorites or explore new activities throughout our trail network!

• Snowshoeing: If there’s fresh snow on the trails – we’re going snowshoeing! Grab, rent or borrow a pair of snowshoes and enjoy the quiet, frosty scenery on the Platte River Trails.
• Walking/Trail Running: Nothing beats a quaint walk through the winding trails along the North Platte River with your friends, family, or four-legged sidekick. Take it one step further and enjoy a trail run on over six miles of River Trail! Fresh air (no matter the temp) is always good for your health.
• Fat Biking: Biking season never truly ends in Wyoming! With close and convenient access from anywhere in Casper, the Platte River Trails offer convenient routes for fat biking. 
• Bird Watching: Just west of Morad Park you’ll find the Murie Audubon Society Bird Sanctuary! Bring a pair of binoculars and sit on one of several benches in the area and enjoy winter bird watching. 

 
Winter Trail Flora & Fauna
Insects have stopped moving about and grass has stopped growing, but the trails are still very much alive and full of critter activity in the winter. For those that don’t go south for the season, you can expect to see them along the trails!

• Mammals: Casper residents share space with several mammals, including mule deer, pronghorns, cottontails, and foxes. It’s common to catch a sighting of one (or more) of these animals trying to keep warm or foraging for food near the trails.
• Birds: As previously mentioned, there are a couple miles of trail that travel through the Murie Audubon Society Bird Sanctuary. One little bird that weathers the Wyoming winters is the Mountain Chickadee. Keep your eye out for these feathered friends hanging upside down from twigs or flitting on bush limbs. And just below them you may find Dark-Eyed Juncos foraging for dried seed on the ground.
• Vegetation: As the temperature drops, so do the leaves and foliage of several plant species. However, you can spot some familiar foliage along the trails that provides food and warmth for animals, including Rocky Mountain Gooseberry which ripens in the fall and can withstand cold temperatures.

Winter Trail Best Practices
To get the most enjoyment from your winter trail excursions, it’s important to dress appropriately and adhere to best practices when it comes to cold temperatures. Before you hit the trails, arm yourself with the proper knowledge and attire for a successful adventure.

• Clothing: To stay warm and comfortable on the trails this winter be sure to dress in layers, wear waterproof shoes, and cover exposed skin with gloves, hats, neck gaiters, and scarves. Remember to avoid cotton as it takes longer to dry when wet. Stick to wool and synthetic layers.
• Gear: No matter your activity, you’ll want to stay hydrated and prepared for changes in conditions. Whether stepping out for a quick walk or planning an afternoon snowshoeing on the trails, bring water, sunglasses, and a head lamp or flashlight.
• Safety Practices: The weather in Casper can be unpredictable, often shifting in a matter of minutes. Prioritize your safety and tell someone where you’re going, take your cell phone, always avoid ice on the river, and opt to stay inside in dangerously cold temperatures.

 
Winter recreation is fun and convenient with the Platte River Trails! Since it’s an exceptionally long season in our fair city, we encourage all to bundle up and embrace the expansive trail network that weaves through Casper, Wyoming. View trails maps for your next adventure and follow Platte River Trails on Facebook and Instagram for trail updates. 

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