Bridle Trail at Rotary Park
Garden Creek Falls in Rotary Park, at the base of Casper Mountain, is one of Casper’s most treasured, iconic mountain getaways.
From the cascading waterfall to the towering pines, you are sure to fall in love with nature all over again. In fact, the Bridle Trail has been named one of the top hikes every kid should take at least once by Red Tricycle.
Garden Creek Falls
It only takes a few minutes to hike from the parking area to the base of the falls, but many visitors pack a picnic lunch and make an afternoon of it. Sitting among the aspens and ponderosa pine, it’s easy to forget that you’re just a few miles from the heart of the city. With picnic benches placed directly in front of the waterfall and several viewing platforms just a short hike up the left side of the falls across the bridge, there are plenty of places to soak up the views and sounds of Casper Mountain.
Hike the Bridle Trail
After you’ve soaked in the views of the waterfall, lace up your hiking boots to explore more of the park’s scenic wonders. Along the way, you’ll encounter scenic overlooks, blue grouse, and wildlife. The trail is well-maintained, well-marked and kid-friendly.
Here are some things to note before you go!
- The Bridle Trail is a 4-ish mile loop that goes up and around Garden Creek Falls
- It has about 1200 feet of elevation gain with some steep, rocky sections
- On average, the hike takes about 3 hours
- There are several 'no climbing' and 'no trespassing' signs along the trail, so be sure to stay on the designated path.
The trailhead begins in Rotary Park, and hikers can chose to start from either the east or west, with both options offering spectacular views of Garden Creek Falls, the city below, and the surrounding countryside. If you're pressed for time and energy, opt for a shorter loop on the west side of the park. The Middle and Upper Bridle Trails traverse private property, so please stay on the designated trails.
There are benches, placed by the Casper Rotary Club, that create rest areas along the trail. One of the most popular places to hang out for a while is Split Rock, an area where large boulders create a tunnel that the trail goes through. It's one of Casper's most Instagram-worthy spots!
Along the trail, are several areas with birds, mule deer, squirrels, and other animals. Hummingbirds hang out during the summer and feed on the many flowers in the park.
Pro tip: Make sure to bring a camera to capture all of the wildflowers and wildlife you come across!
History of the Bridle Trail
"The Bridle Trail was built in the 1939-1940s by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and perhaps the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It appears that the Bridle Trail was built on some of the original trails going up Casper Mountain when Wyoming was still a wilderness, wolves ran wild, and mining claims on the mountain were everywhere. The 30s and 40s were a hard time in Wyoming. H.H. Patterson, County Surveyor, surveyed the original Bridle Trail in September and October of 1940. It is the earliest mapping we have found of the Bridle Trail."
- Natrona County Parks Department
