Living in Natrona County

Wyoming’s plains are the historical home to many nomadic tribes including the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Shoshone and Sioux. Today, about 6,000 Shoshone and Arapaho continue to reside on the 2.3 million acre Wind River Reservation, northwest of Natrona County.

In 1812, John Jacob Astor established Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia and sent Robert Stuart east to start what was hoped to become a network of trading posts. Stuart found South Pass by following a Crow Indian trail and entered our region. Near Bessemer Bend, Stuart and his small band erected the first white man’s hut in 1812. Although Astor’s plans failed when the British captured Astoria in 1812, trappers and scouts continued to explore our high plains and develop transit routes. On July 4, 1824, some of these trappers named Independence Rock.

In 1840, Father Jean Pierre DeSmet began spreading the gospel among area Indians. Father DeSmet was the first to carve his name on Independence Rock and give it the name, “The Register of the Desert.” In 1843, John C. Fremont (known as “The Pathfinder”) chiseled his name on Independence Rock and later with Kit Carson as his guide, went on to explore the country along the Platte and Sweetwater Rivers.

Nov 30

[ARCHIVED] Conditions and Grooming Report - November 30th

The original item was published from November 30, 2015 3:07 PM to June 22, 2020 2:26 PM

The Casper Mountain Trails Center opened on November 28th.  Jay Reece, Owner of Essence of Life Catering is again our Concessionaire and boasts a slightly new menu this season.  The CMTC is open Wednesday thru Sunday; 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.  We've received almost a foot of snow thus far but only Bishop's Loop, the Maze and Strube Loop are packed.


  • All Nordic trails have been widened for our new PB400 trail groomer
  • Construction continues at the biathlon venue, aka McMurry Mountain Park
  • The Eadsville Trail was expanded and improved this offseason
  • We've a new Trails Pass program and card printer this season!  All users must possess a Nordic Trails Pass.  Purchase yours inside the CMTC, at Mountain Sports, Zeelo's, or at the Natrona County Parks office.
  • Be sure to download the newsletter to read more about what's new at the Nordic Ski Trails