Wyoming Soil Surveys
Wyoming has 43 USDA soil survey areas covering a wide range of landscapes and soil conditions. The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter, making up roughly 27% of surveyed soils. Aridisols — dry-climate soils with limited organic matter and often calcium carbonate accumulation account for another 26%.
In terms of drainage, 92% of Wyoming soils are classified as well drained. Drainage class affects everything from septic system design to basement feasibility to garden planning. Use the survey area pages below to see drainage details for specific counties, or look up any address for an exact soil profile.
Soil Types
Mollisols
27% of surveyed soils
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.
Aridisols
26% of surveyed soils
Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.
Entisols
23% of surveyed soils
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.
Alfisols
14% of surveyed soils
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
Inceptisols
7% of surveyed soils
Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.
Survey Areas
Albany County Area, WyomingBig Horn County Area, WyomingBig Horn National Forest, Wyoming, Parts of Big Horn, Johnson, Sheridan, and Washakie CountiesBridger National Forest, Wyoming, Eastern PartBridger National Forest, Wyoming, Western PartCampbell County, Wyoming, Northern PartCampbell County, Wyoming, Southern PartCarbon County Area, WyomingConverse County, Wyoming, Northern PartConverse County, Wyoming, Southern PartCrook County, WyomingEden Valley Area, Wyoming, Parts of Sweetwater and Sublette CountiesFremont County, Wyoming, East Part and Dubois AreaFremont County, Wyoming, Lander AreaGoshen County, Wyoming, Northern PartGoshen County, Wyoming, Southern PartHenrys Fork Area, Utah-Wyoming, Parts of: Daggett and Summit Counties, Utah and Sweetwater and Uinta Counties, WyomingHot Springs County Area, WyomingJohnson County Area, Wyoming, Northern PartJohnson County, Wyoming, Southern PartLaramie County, Wyoming, Eastern PartLaramie County, Wyoming, Western PartLincoln County Area, Wyoming, Southern PartMedicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming, Central and Western PartsMedicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming, Northern PartNatrona County Area, WyomingNiobrara County, WyomingPark County Area, Wyoming, Eastern PartPlatte County, WyomingRiverton Area, WyomingRockefeller Parkway, WyomingSheridan County Area, WyomingShoshone National Forest, WyomingStar Valley Area, Wyoming-IdahoSublette County Area, WyomingSweetwater County Area, WyomingTeton County, Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park AreaTeton National Forest, Wyoming, Parts of Teton, Fremont, Park, Sublette, and Lincoln CountiesUinta County Area, WyomingWashakie County Area, WyomingWeston County, WyomingWind River Basin Area, Wyoming, Parts of Fremont and Hot Springs CountiesYellowstone National Park, Wyoming-Montana-Idaho