Directions: There are several sections of the North Platte that are fisheries. To reach all of them we first want to go to Laramie, Wyoming. Out of Boulder take I-25 north to Fort Collins where you will link up with 287, and take 287 up and over the pass to Laramie. From here the directions differ. Gray Reef: continue north out of Laramie on highway 287 towards the town of Medicine Bow. After about 20 miles you will pass through the town of Bossler, kind of a ghost town so don't blink or you will miss it. Another 20 miles or so and we come to the town of Rock River, and then about another 20 and we come to Medicine Bow. About 100 yards past the Virginian Hotel on the right, you will make a right on highway 487. This is a windy section of road at elevation, so drive carefully. After almost 75 miles you will come to highway 220. Make a left on 220 and continue driving towards Alcova. Just short of the town of Alcova make a left on Gray Reef Road and follow it about 1/4 mile to the campground and parking lot on the right. This is the start of the Gray Reef section of the North Platte, known for hard fighting rainbows. Numerous access points are located along highway 220 between Alcova and Casper to the east. An alternate route would be I-25 north to Casper, then 220 west out of Casper. Casper to Alcova is almost 30 miles. Miracle Mile: Take I-80 west out of Laramie for almost 60 miles and exit north on Hwy 72, exit #255. Follow to the small town of Hanna and look for a not-very-well marked sign for Rd 291 to the left. The road is bumpy and turns to gravel after just a few miles. Follow 291 (Hanna Draw road) for almost 40 miles then turn left on Kortes Dam Road. This road will take you to the bridge that bisects the river into the upper and lower sections. There are dirt and gravel roads that provide access up and down the river. Saratoga: from Laramie take one of two highways west. It is about 1 hour and 45 minutes to Saratoga via highway 130. To reach the river close to the state line and 6 mile gap use highway 230. This road drops back into Colorado, and 7.5 miles after you cross the state line you will make a right turn on Hwy 125. Now heading north, the road crosses the North Platte and then enters Wyoming again. There are numerous access points following now highway 230 to the north. Heading south back towards North Park we have several access points along the highway as well.
  Marker indicates water station location |