Off the Grid and Into the Wild: Hiking Corral Creek Lake
Tucked deep inside Wyoming’s Salt River Range in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Corral Creek Lake is an alpine stunner you’ve probably never heard of, but won’t forget once you’ve seen it. Getting there takes commitment: over 40 miles of forest roads and nearly 6 miles of trail, but wow, the payoff is unreal.
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re planning to chase this dream of a lake.
📍 The Route In
We started this adventure with a long, scenic drive, over 40 miles of forest roads following the beautiful Grey’s River corridor. The farther we got, the more remote it felt. Towering peaks, winding creeks, and not a single soul in sight. We set up camp at [42.61711, -110.66306], right on the riverbank.
The only sounds that night were the crackling of our campfire and the flowing water beside us. Honestly, it was one of our all-time favorite camp spots, completely free, totally peaceful, and surrounded by nature’s best.
⛺ Trailhead Camp & Moose Morning
The next morning, we drove a bit farther to our second campsite near the trailhead: [42.67747, -110.70305]. As we pulled in, we spotted a moose and her calf wading through the streams just below our bluff-top site. It felt like nature was putting on a private show just for us. After soaking in the magic for a while, we hit the trail!
🥾 Trail Overview
- Distance: ~12 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: ~2,000 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
- Trail type: Starts as an ATV/Jeep road, becomes singletrack
- End point: Corral Creek Lake – an alpine bowl cradling a vivid blue lake
- AllTrails link
Every step of this trail delivered, meadows exploding with wildflowers, waterfalls spilling down cliffsides, crystal-clear streams, and nonstop jaw-dropping views. And when we finally reached the lake, it took our breath away.
The water shimmered deep blue, tucked into a rugged basin. Vance landed his biggest trout catch to date, and I spent time snapping photos and flying the drone. It was the kind of place that makes you feel tiny, grateful, and completely alive.
💡 Trail Tips
🦟 Flies are no joke in July.
Wear long sleeves and pants to protect yourself, trust me, I still got bit, but it could’ve been much worse.
🌊 Creek crossings are manageable but worth planning for.
There are a couple along the trail that aren’t too deep. You can bushwhack to find rock-hop spots or take off your shoes and wade across, or even smarter: pack water shoes.
☀️ Sun protection is a must.
The trail has long exposed stretches. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen—and don’t forget to reapply.
🐻 Carry bear spray—and know how to use it.
This is bear territory. While we didn’t encounter any, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Keep it accessible (not buried in your pack), and make some noise on the trail.
🏍️ Watch for dirt bikes.
This is a multi-use trail, and while riders were courteous, they come in fast. You’ll usually hear them before you see them. Step off the trail on the uphill side to avoid any potential collisions, or them accidentally tumbling down onto you.
🗺️ Download maps in advance.
There’s no cell service anywhere out here. We used the OnX Backcountry app and All Trails, and they worked great offline.
🎒 Pack like you’re on your own.
Because you are. Bring plenty of water, snacks, layers, and a first aid kit. It’s not a place you want to be caught unprepared.
WORTH EVERY STEP!
Corral Creek Lake is the kind of place that makes you work for it, but every mile, every drop of sweat, is returned tenfold in views, silence, and wild beauty. From remote riverside camping to moose sightings, fishing, and wide-open alpine wonder, this adventure had it all. I’m endlessly grateful that Vance and I get to chase moments like this together.