Food & Dining in Medicine Bowroutt National Forest

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest is not a town with its own dining district — it is a vast stretch of high-elevation wilderness in southern Wyoming and northern Colorado, traversed by the Snowy Range Scenic Byway and popular with hikers, anglers, and campers. There are no restaurants, cafes, or food vendors inside the forest itself. The food experience here is shaped entirely by what you bring with you and what you gather from the gateway communities before you arrive.

The culinary identity of this region belongs to the ranching and frontier traditions of the Rocky Mountain West. The high plains and mountain valleys of Wyoming have long been cattle and sheep country, and that heritage shows up in the kitchens of Laramie and Saratoga: steaks cut thick, game meats like elk and bison appearing regularly on menus, and fresh-caught trout from cold mountain streams. Cooking is straightforward, generous in portion, and rooted in practicality — food that fuels people who work and move outdoors.

Laramie, a university town on the eastern edge of the forest, offers the widest range of dining options in the area, from casual diners and brewpubs to a handful of sit-down restaurants. Saratoga, on the quieter western side, is a small resort town known for its natural hot springs and a handful of local eateries. Beyond those two anchors, visitors are largely self-sufficient. Planning your meals carefully — and packing a well-stocked cooler — is not just practical advice here; it is genuinely central to enjoying this destination.

There is no street food scene inside Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. No food trucks, vendors, or roadside stalls operate within the forest boundaries. Along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway (Highway 130), there are no commercial food stops between Laramie and Saratoga.

In Laramie, you will find fast food chains and casual counter-service spots that can serve as quick, practical options before you head out. For the forest itself, think of your cooler and pack as your 'street food' — sandwiches, fresh fruit, granola bars, and pre-made wraps travel well and are easy to eat at picnic tables or trailheads.

Practical note: Designated picnic areas along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway have tables and, at some locations, vault toilets. These are pleasant places to stop for a packed meal. Pack out all food waste — Leave No Trace principles apply throughout the forest, and food scraps should never be left behind. Keep food stored properly to avoid attracting wildlife, particularly when camping overnight.

Breakfast in the gateway towns typically runs from around 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM at diners and cafes. For forest visitors, this is a practical window to fuel up before driving the byway or setting out on a hike — many trailheads are 30–60 minutes from Laramie.

Lunch is generally served from about 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. If you are spending the day in the forest, lunch will be whatever you have packed. Picnic areas along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway are the natural setting for a midday stop.

Dinner is typically served from around 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM in both Laramie and Saratoga. Restaurant hours can be shorter than in larger cities, and some smaller establishments in Saratoga may not be open every day of the week. Reservations are a sensible idea for sit-down dinners, particularly on summer weekends when the forest draws significant visitor traffic. Call ahead or check current hours before making a special trip — small-town restaurants sometimes adjust hours seasonally.

Vegetarian options are available in Laramie, particularly around the university area where cafes and casual restaurants tend to offer salads, grain bowls, veggie burgers, and plant-based alternatives. A fully vegan meal is achievable in Laramie with some planning, though the menu landscape is not extensive.

In Saratoga and Centennial, vegetarian choices narrow considerably. Menus are oriented toward meat-heavy Western cooking, and vegan options may be limited to sides, salads, or simple pasta dishes. It is worth calling ahead to check.

For backcountry and camping visitors, vegetarian and vegan meal planning is straightforward — dried lentils, rice, instant oatmeal, nut butters, tortillas, and legume-based freeze-dried camping meals are all practical options and available at grocery stores in Laramie before you enter the forest.

Ingredients to watch: Meat-based broths and lard are sometimes used in beans, chili, and baked goods at traditional Western diners — if this matters to you, it is worth asking when ordering.

At sit-down restaurants in Laramie and Saratoga, tipping 15–20% of the pre-tax bill is the standard expectation and represents an important part of servers' income in Wyoming. For counter-service or fast-food spots, tipping is optional — a small tip is appreciated but not expected.

At cafes where you order at the counter and your drink is handed to you immediately, a $1–2 tip is common but not obligatory. There are no mandatory service charges added to bills at most establishments in this area, so the tip is entirely at your discretion and left by you directly.

In the gateway towns: Food safety standards in Wyoming restaurants are regulated at the state level and are generally reliable. Standard precautions apply — if something looks or smells off, trust your instincts.

In the backcountry: This is where food safety requires active planning.

• Water: Never drink untreated surface water. Use a quality filter, purification tablets, or a UV pen. Giardia is present in backcountry water sources in the Rocky Mountains.
• Food storage: In camping areas, store all food, snacks, cooking equipment, and scented items in a bear canister or hang them properly from a tree. Black bears are present in the forest.
• Perishables: In warm summer temperatures at lower elevations, keep meats, dairy, and prepared foods in a well-iced cooler and consume within safe time windows. At higher elevations, temperatures are cooler but do not assume refrigeration is unnecessary.
• Pack it out: All food waste, including wrappers and scraps, must be packed out. Do not bury food waste.

Summer (June–August): The primary visitor season. The Snowy Range Scenic Byway typically opens fully by late May or June depending on snowpack. Fresh produce is available at grocery stores in Laramie. Farmers markets in Laramie operate during summer months — a good source of local vegetables, preserves, and baked goods for a picnic. Temperatures are mild to warm at lower elevations but cool at altitude, so hot drinks and warming food in the evenings are appreciated even in midsummer.

Fall (September–October): Hunting season brings an influx of visitors, and elk, deer, and antelope are in season — game meat on local menus and at butcher counters becomes especially fresh and local. Nights turn cold quickly, making hot, calorie-dense camp meals more important.

Winter (November–April): Most of the forest is inaccessible; the Snowy Range Scenic Byway closes seasonally, typically from late October or November through May. Saratoga remains open for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing visitors. Hearty soups, stews, and hot meals dominate local menus. Always verify current road and facility status before traveling in the off-season.

Spring (May): A transitional period with unpredictable weather. The byway may still be closed. Laramie has reliable year-round dining.

Food to take home: Local honey produced in Wyoming is a practical and genuine regional product available at farmers markets and some grocery stores in Laramie. Locally made beef jerky and game jerky (elk, bison) are widely available and travel well. Some shops in Laramie and Saratoga stock Wyoming-made hot sauces, preserves, and packaged goods that reflect the region.

Practical customs note: If you are crossing international borders on your way home, be aware that many food items — including meats, fresh produce, and some plant-based products — are subject to customs restrictions. Commercially packaged and shelf-stable items generally present fewer issues, but always declare food items and check the regulations for your destination country.