Palisades Wilderness Study Area is a rugged and scenic region primarily located in Wyoming and Idaho, characterized by its untamed natural beauty. The landscape features steep cliffs, deep canyons, and numerous mountains, including Observation Peak. This area is defined by diverse ecosystems, ranging from pinyon-juniper and aspen forests to subalpine lake basins, offering varied terrain for outdoor pursuits. Its remote and undeveloped character provides opportunities for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, and more.
58
Routes
4.8
(5)
Average rating
477
People visited

2
hikers
3.01km
01:01
250m
0m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
6.98km
02:54
920m
10m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
2.32km
00:36
20m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
4.08km
01:26
210m
210m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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10
riders
11.6km
01:20
590m
590m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
14.7km
01:58
820m
840m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

6
riders
17.9km
02:39
1,040m
1,040m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

3
riders
6.60km
00:42
180m
180m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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14.9km
01:06
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

18
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

15
riders
8.73km
00:57
220m
220m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
riders
33.8km
02:00
120m
120m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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33
riders
96.7km
04:09
510m
510m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

26
riders
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

22
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

16
riders
64.8km
04:23
600m
600m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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14
runners
17.0km
02:32
670m
670m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

14
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

8
runners
9.76km
02:08
920m
920m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
runners
11.5km
01:12
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Palisades Wilderness Study Area offers a range of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, Road cycling, and Jogging. The area features more than 10 routes across these sports. Visitors can explore various terrains and difficulty levels.
The Palisades Wilderness Study Area offers diverse hiking trails, from challenging routes with significant elevation changes to more gentle paths. Notable trails include Josie's Ridge to Snow King Mountain, Taylor Mountain Summit Loop, and the Crater Lake Loop. For more options, explore the Hiking in Palisades Wilderness Study Area guide.
Yes, mountain biking is permitted on specific trails within the Palisades Wilderness Study Area. Popular routes include the Lithium, Black Canyon, and Mail Cabin trails, as well as the Old Pass Road to Teton Pass. These routes offer varied difficulty levels. Find more details in the MTB Trails in Palisades Wilderness Study Area guide.
Dedicated touring and road cycling routes directly within the Wilderness Study Area may be limited due to wilderness restrictions on mechanized travel. However, access roads leading to the WSA or areas immediately surrounding it might offer suitable road cycling options. Refer to the Cycling in Palisades Wilderness Study Area and Road Cycling Routes in Palisades Wilderness Study Area guides.
The Palisades Wilderness Study Area includes more gentle paths suitable for less strenuous hikes. These routes can be good options for beginners or families. For specific recommendations, consult the Easy hikes in Palisades Wilderness Study Area guide.
The area is known for its rugged terrain, steep cliffs, and deep canyons. It features 12 named mountains, with Observation Peak being the highest. Other notable features include red-rock formations, waterfalls, and attractive subalpine lake basins on the west side of the divide.
The Palisades Wilderness Study Area provides habitat for a variety of wildlife. Common sightings may include mule deer, elk, moose, mountain lion, and black bear. The area also supports wolves, wolverine, and various raptors like golden eagles.
Palisades Wilderness Study Area is a well-regarded destination on komoot. More than 900 visitors have shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.92 out of 5 stars for the routes in the region. There are 14 routes available for exploration.
Komoot offers several guides for the Palisades Wilderness Study Area to help plan adventures. These include Hiking in Palisades Wilderness Study Area, MTB Trails in Palisades Wilderness Study Area, and Running Trails in Palisades Wilderness Study Area. Guides for cycling and easy hikes are also available.
The Palisades Wilderness Study Area is managed by multiple federal agencies. For information regarding the Wyoming/Idaho portion, contact the Bridger-Teton National Forest at 307-739-5500 or the Caribou-Targhee National Forest at (208) 523-1412. An official website for the Bridger-Teton National Forest is fs.usda.gov/recarea/btnf/recarea/?recid=77553.
The terrain in Palisades Wilderness Study Area is rugged and varied, characterized by steep cliffs and deep canyons. It includes mountainous areas with significant elevation changes, as well as diverse ecosystems ranging from pinyon-juniper and aspen forests to subalpine lake basins. The landscape offers challenging and scenic routes.

