Medicine Bow River

The Medicine Bow River is a 167-mile-long tributary of the North Platte River in southern Wyoming, USA. It originates in the picturesque Snowy Range Mountains, specifically at North Gap Lake in southeastern Carbon County, and initially flows northward past Elk Mountain. Later, it shifts direction to the northeast and then northwest, passing through the town of Medicine Bow and flowing between the Shirley Mountains to the north and the Medicine Bow Mountains to the south. Near the town of Medicine Bow, its two largest tributaries, Rock Creek and the Little Medicine Bow River, join the main river. The Medicine Bow River eventually empties into the North Platte River at the Seminoe Reservoir, with the lower 10 miles of the river forming an arm of the reservoir. The river traverses both the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and private land, where access to some sections requires landowner permission. The surrounding area offers a scenic landscape with dense forests of spruce and aspen, along with numerous recreational opportunities such as fishing, hiking, and camping, particularly at the Bow River Campground, known for its tranquil atmosphere.