Streams
Park geography
Analyzing the protected landscape boundaries, elevation data, and natural terrain features
Detailed Geographic Profile and Mapped Terrain of Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming
Examine the structured geographic data for Shoshone National Forest, a vast protected landscape in Wyoming covering 9992.69 square kilometers. This profile highlights the park elevation range from 1402 to 4207 meters, alongside extensive mountain terrain, alpine meadows, and a network of stream systems.
America's first national forest, spanning the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Shoshone National Forest
Shoshone National Forest is the first federally protected national forest in the United States, set aside as part of the Yellowstone Timberland Reserve in 1891 and signed into law by President Benjamin Harrison. It covers nearly 2.5 million acres across the mountainous interior of northwestern Wyoming, bordering Yellowstone National Park to the west and stretching between the Absaroka, Beartooth, and Wind River ranges. The forest is a central component of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, a vast contiguous block of federally protected land that supports one of the most intact assemblages of native flora and fauna in the lower 48 states. Elevations span more than 9,000 vertical feet, from sagebrush lowlands near Cody to glacier-capped granite peaks of the Wind River Range, including Gannett Peak, the highest point in Wyoming. Shoshone protects over half of its acreage as designated wilderness, anchoring major wilderness areas such as the Fitzpatrick, North Absaroka, Washakie, Popo Agie, and a portion of the Absaroka-Beartooth. The forest is recognized for its historic significance as the birthplace of American national forest policy, for its dramatic mountain scenery, for its populations of grizzly bears, gray wolves, bighorn sheep, and elk, and for its role as a gateway to Yellowstone. It is also the first federally protected land of any kind in the United States, giving it a unique place in the history of American conservation.
- Location
- United States of America
- Park type
- Protected landscape
- Established
- 1891
- Area
- 9,992.7 km²
- Highest point
- 4,207 m
Location overview
Assigned Country and Regional Administrative Placement
Shoshone National Forest Geography and Regional Location Guide
Shoshone National Forest is located within the United States of America and the state of Wyoming. Administrative records confirm its single country and regional membership status within the national protected network.
- Countries
- United States of America
- Regions
- Wyoming
- Primary location
- Wyoming
- Geographic setting
- Inland
Boundary and coordinates
Interactive boundary mapping and derived spatial measurements
Shoshone National Forest Boundary Map and Spatial Extent Analysis
Visualizing the mapped outline provides direct spatial context for the protected area. Recorded geometry calculations supply baseline area statistics, coordinate limits, and geographic spans without legal survey precision.
- Boundary area
- 9,988.3 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 1,213 km
- Northernmost point
- 45.0054° N
- Southernmost point
- 42.4917° N
- Easternmost point
- 108.6985° W
- Westernmost point
- 110.1726° W
- Geographic centre
- 44.04° N, 109.5415° W
- North–south span
- 279.3 km
- East–west span
- 118.7 km
Elevation and terrain
Vertical relief data and recorded stream features across the protected landscape
Shoshone National Forest Elevation Range and Mountain Terrain Geography
Recorded elevation metrics outline a vertical range spanning from fourteen hundred meters to over four thousand meters across mountain terrain. Individual feature cards detail stream names, types, and spatial relationships located within the protected area.
- Minimum elevation
- 1,402 m
- Maximum elevation
- 4,207 m
- Highest point
- 4,207 m
Selected named natural features
Streams
Clocktower Creek
Streams
Fall Creek
Lakes
Upper Hay Pass Lake
Lakes
Urn Lake
Mountain saddles
Jackass Pass
Environmental setting
Alpine climate zones, mountainous relief, and diverse habitat records
Shoshone National Forest Environmental Classifications and Physical Setting
Recorded landscape features and habitat types outline the physical setting across mountain relief zones and alpine climate regions. Stored classifications connect recorded categories to relevant atlas destinations for structured geographic exploration.
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Alpine
- Water
- Major water bodies
- Forest cover
- Partial forest
- Seasonality
- Year-round
Landscape features
Mountains · Valleys · Cliffs · Forest · Woodland · Grassland · Wetland · Lakes · Rivers · Glacier · Volcano · Cave
Habitat types
Temperate coniferous forest · Alpine meadow · Grassland · Riverine habitat · Lacustrine habitat · Tundra habitat · Glacial habitat
Park atlas
Compare surrounding mountain ranges and connected regional wilderness areas
Parks Near Shoshone National Forest and Related Protected Landscapes
Continue browsing national parks and protected areas near Shoshone National Forest across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Expanding the geographic scope reveals related mountain landscapes, alpine wildlife habitats, and connected conservation regions.
Protected landscapeWyoming
Park boundaries overlap#1 closest
South
Fitzpatrick Wilderness: Exploring the Rugged Protected Landscapes of Western Wyoming
A core alpine environment within the Wind River Range.
Fitzpatrick Wilderness represents one of the most uncompromisingly wild segments of the Wind River Range, featuring persistent glaciers, dramatic U-shaped valleys, and high granite spires. This protected landscape offers a deep look into the alpine geography of Wyoming, preserved under the Wilderness Act to maintain its rugged character, remote glacial cirques, and intricate mountain ecosystems.
- Area
- 803.4 km²
- Established
- 1976
- IUCN
- Ib
- Relief
- Mountain
Protected areaWyoming
Park boundaries overlap#2 closest
South
Popo Agie Wilderness: Protected Landscapes in the Wyoming Wind River Range
High-altitude alpine terrain and glacial basins
The Popo Agie Wilderness in Wyoming encompasses a dramatic vertical landscape, ranging from forested valleys to alpine summits above 13,000 feet. This protected area features the iconic Cirque of the Towers, dense hydrological networks of glacial tarns, and expansive granite formations that anchor its identity within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
- Area
- 412.3 km²
- Established
- 1984
- IUCN
- Ib
- Relief
- Mountain
National parkWyoming
Park boundaries overlap#3 closest
West
Yellowstone National Park: US National Park Protected Landscape & Geographic Atlas
Explore mapped boundaries and regional natural landscape context.
Yellowstone National Park represents a significant protected landscape within Wyoming, designated as a US national park. This entry offers detailed insight into its geographic scope, mapped boundaries, and the unique natural terrain that defines it. Understand its role in regional geography and discover its protected-area identity through a structured atlas exploration, providing context for its conservation landscape.
- Area
- 8,983.18 km²
- Established
- 1872
- IUCN
- II
- Visitors
- 4.7M annual
National parkUnited States of America
28 km away#4 closest
Southwest
Grand Teton National Park: Protected Landscape and Geographic Atlas Exploration
Explore the mapped terrain and regional park geography.
Grand Teton National Park is a protected landscape offering rich geographic discovery opportunities within the United States of America. This detailed entry facilitates an atlas-style exploration of its mapped boundaries, the surrounding regional geography, and its identity as a significant national park. Understand the specific landscape context and discover its placement within the broader natural terrain of North America.
- Area
- 1,300 km²
- Established
- 1929
- IUCN
- II
- Visitors
- 2.8M annual
Wildlife reserveWyoming
60 km away#5 closest
Southwest
Jedediah Smith Wilderness: Protected Alpine Terrain and Teton Range Geography
Glacially sculpted high-country basins in western Wyoming
Spanning the western face of the Teton Range, the Jedediah Smith Wilderness serves as a federally protected buffer for iconic mountain landscapes. The region features dramatic cirques, hanging valleys, and dense subalpine forest habitats, forming an essential, roadless link within the broader Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Explore the terrain features and structural geography that define this remote high-country wilderness area.
- Area
- 499.59 km²
- Established
- 1984
- IUCN
- Ib
- Relief
- Mountain
Protected landscapeMontana
76 km away#6 closest
Northeast
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area: Maps and Protected Landscape Geography
A reservoir-anchored protected area in the Montana high desert
Defined by its striking contrast between deep blue reservoir water and sheer canyon walls, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area protects an essential arid landscape in the Mountain West. This region encompasses portions of the Pryor Mountains and the historic Bad Pass Trail, offering a window into the intersection of vast high-desert plains and rugged mountain terrain.
- Area
- 486.82 km²
- Established
- 1966
- Visitors
- 217.7K annual
- Relief
- Upland
Wildlife reserveMontana
83 km away#7 closest
Northwest
Lee Metcalf Wilderness: Geographic Profile and Protected Landscape Boundaries in Montana
Mapping rugged alpine terrain across four distinct mountainous units
Located in southwestern Montana, the Lee Metcalf Wilderness serves as a cornerstone of ecological connectivity within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Spanning over 250,000 acres, this protected area features a unique fragmented geography consisting of the Bear Trap Canyon, Spanish Peaks, Taylor-Hilgard, and Monument Mountains units. The landscape is defined by its roadless mountain ridges, forested slopes, and deep river corridors, providing essential sanctuary for large mammal populations.
- Area
- 1,029.07 km²
- Established
- 1983
- IUCN
- Ib
- Relief
- Mountain
Protected areaWyoming
117 km away#8 closest
South
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area: Protected Reservoir and Canyon Landscape Atlas
High desert geography and canyon terrain on the Wyoming and Utah border.
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area features a complex geography where the Green River carves through vivid red sandstone cliffs. This protected area integrates large-scale reservoir management with mountain forest slopes and diverse river corridors, creating a unique mapped landscape that reflects the geologic character of the intermountain West.
- Area
- 839.17 km²
- Established
- 1968
- Relief
- Upland
- Climate
- Arid
MoriAtlas Explorer
Explore the Mapped Geography and Protected Terrain of Shoshone National Forest
Navigate the complex landscape and ecological significance of Shoshone National Forest through our detailed geographic data. Learn how this foundational protected area anchors the Rocky Mountains and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for deeper atlas exploration.
Browse next
Global natural geography
Explore related park routes
Explore MoriAtlas Global ParksBrowse All MoriAtlas ParksGlobal Park Map DiscoveryMoriAtlas: Browse All CountriesBrowse All MoriAtlas ContinentsNational Park Environment AtlasGrand Canyon National Park AtlasYellowstone National Park AtlasYosemite National Park Atlas and GeographySerengeti National Park AtlasGalápagos National Park Protected LandscapeBanff National Park Geography and AtlasKruger National Park Atlas EntryUluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park AtlasExplore Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park GeographyPlitvice Lakes National Park AtlasFiordland National Park Protected LandscapeGreat Smoky Mountains National Park AtlasAfghanistan National Parks and Protected AreasAlbania National Parks and Protected AreasAlgeria National Parks and Protected AreasAmerican Samoa National Parks and Protected AreasAndorra National Parks and Protected AreasAngola National Parks and Protected AreasAntarctica National Parks and Protected AreasAntigua and Barbuda Park List