It was named after the Native American powwows in which numerous tribes would congregate here in search of mountain mahogany, which was an excellent wood for the manufacturing of bows, and to perform rituals hoped to cure diseases and thus make "good medicine".

In descending order of land area the forest is located in Carbon, Albany, Converse, Natrona, and Platte counties.

In descending order of land area the forest is located in Routt, Jackson, Rio Blanco, Grand, Moffat, and Garfield counties.

Thunder Basin National Grassland (547,620 acres) is located in northeastern Wyoming and consists primarily of lands leased to cattle interests.

In descending order of land area the grassland is located in Weston, Converse, Campbell, Niobrara, and Crook counties.