Carbon County Land Area

Public Land

The Rawlins district of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administers over two million acres of public land in Carbon County. These lands are available for a variety of multiple uses including livestock grazing, mineral production, and wildlife habitat. Recreation opportunities on public land in Carbon County include hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, mountain biking, hiking, and wildlife observation.

Great Divide Basin

Western Carbon County contains the southern portion of the unique Great Divide Basin, which does not drain into any ocean. The county is a study in contrasts, from snow-capped mountains and high plateaus in the south and north, to vast prairie lands in the east, and the Red Desert basin in the west. Elevations range from 5,000 feet in the Red Desert to 12,600 feet in the Snowy Range.

Notable Mentions

Sinclair Oil Refinery in Sinclair is one of the largest refineries in the United States. Union Pacific Railroad provides freight hauling and dockside loading to industrial developments and Rawlins serves as a crew change point. Rawlins is ranked number three in the state, in the ePodunk historic small town's index. Outdoor Life Magazine listed Rawlins as one of the ten best communities for hunting, fishing, and outdoor life in 2009 and 2010.