Snowmobiling the Bighorn Mountains — A Wyoming Winter Guide

The Bighorns in Winter

The Bighorn Mountains get 200+ inches of snow annually at the higher elevations. While most of that snowfall closes the roads and sends the hikers home, it opens 400+ miles of groomed snowmobile trails through some of the most beautiful winter terrain in the American West. This is the same landscape that stuns visitors in summer — except now it's buried under eight feet of powder and you have it almost entirely to yourself.

The Bighorn National Forest maintains a trail system across three primary areas, all accessible from Sheridan County within 45–90 minutes. The trails wind through alpine meadows, old-growth spruce forests, and ridgeline routes with views that stretch from the Powder River Basin to the Absaroka Range.

Granite Pass — The Gateway Area

The most popular snowmobile area for Sheridan-based riders. Access via US-14 through Dayton — the same road you'd take to the Bighorn Scenic Byway in summer. The Granite Pass trailhead is about 45 minutes from downtown Sheridan, with parking, warming shelters, and direct trail access.

The trails here range from gentle meadow runs to aggressive tree riding and ridge routes. For a first-time visitor, the out-and-back to Sibley Lake (snow-covered in winter) is a 15-mile roundtrip that showcases the best of the area without demanding expert-level riding.

"

The Bighorns in winter are what every snowmobiler imagines and few places deliver — deep powder, groomed trails through ancient forest, and nobody else for miles. This is what 200 inches of snow looks like when you have 400 miles of trail to spread it across.

Rental & Guide Options

Bear Lodge Resort on US-14 offers snowmobile rentals with direct trail access. Single-rider machines run approximately $250–$400 per day. Two-rider touring machines are available for couples or less experienced riders.

Guided tours are the best option for first-timers. Half-day guided tours run $300–$500 per person and include machine, fuel, helmet, and a guide who knows the trail system. Full-day tours with lunch run $500–$700. Most outfitters require advance booking — call at least a week ahead during peak season (January–February).

What to Bring

Where to Stay

For Granite Pass access, stay in Sheridan or Dayton — both within 45 minutes of the trailhead. Wyo Stays manages winter-ready cabins and downtown properties with garage parking for trailers. After a day on the mountain, you want a hot shower, a full kitchen, and a fireplace — not a hotel room.

Book direct at book.wyostays.com for winter rates and save 16–20% versus Airbnb.

"

Summer visitors see the Bighorns and say they'll come back. Winter visitors come back and say they understand. The mountains in winter are a different place — quieter, wilder, and entirely yours.