Cultural Geology Guide—Vedauwoo

Vedauwoo Recreation Area

Rising from the Wyoming plains is a rocky oasis of giant granite rock formations sculpted by the forces of erosion. This geological phenomenon is a destination hot spot by visitors to the Medicine Bow National Forest.

The rocks at Vedauwoo crystalized in Precambrian time, 1.4 billion years ago, long before hard-shelled fossils appeared in the rock record.

Vedauwoo’s Sherman Granite is one of the first rock units of Precambrian age to be documented in Wyoming. This area also includes the “Gangplank,” a geologic natural land bridge, linking the high prairie to the mountains; a bridge which became the route of the Transcontinental Railroad, and today the route of Interstate 80.

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