Bighorn Mountains · Wyoming
Cabins Near Crazy Woman Canyon, Wyoming
A 13-mile forest-service road that locals consider a rite of passage — narrow, dramatic, and about 12 miles south of Buffalo. Two Wyo Stays cabins put you in range.
Crazy Woman Canyon Road (Bighorn National Forest Road 33) is a roughly 13-mile, high-clearance-recommended drive through a narrow gorge in the Bighorn Mountains, about 12 miles south of Buffalo, Wyoming. Wyo Stays manages two nearby cabins — Clear Creek Crossing in town (about 20 miles by road) and Piton up in the southern Bighorns. Confirm current road conditions with the Forest Service before visiting; the road is seasonal and closes when wet or snow-covered.
What Makes Crazy Woman Canyon Worth the Drive
Crazy Woman Canyon Road follows Crazy Woman Creek through one of the most dramatic short drives in the Bighorn Mountains — a narrow gorge cut through granite, with the creek running alongside the road for most of its roughly 13-mile length. It connects US-16 on the west end, up in the high country, to US-87/196 on the east end near the base of the mountains, about 12 miles south of downtown Buffalo.
It is not a casual paved scenic byway. The road is a narrow, one-lane forest-service route (Bighorn National Forest Road 33) that requires a high-clearance vehicle — ideally with 4WD or AWD — and is unsuitable for large vehicles or trailers, which are prohibited by posted signage. It can become impassable when wet, and it has been closed for maintenance in past seasons. Check current conditions with the Bighorn National Forest's Powder River Ranger District, or WYDOT, before you go — road status is not something to plan around from memory.
The reward for the caution is real: granite narrows, a rushing creek, and a genuinely wild stretch of the Bighorns that most Yellowstone-bound travelers never see, because it's not on the way to anywhere else. Locals treat driving it as a rite of passage.
Nearby Wyo Stays Cabins
Both currently bookable, both managed locally.
Buffalo, Wyoming
Clear Creek Crossing
In town on Clear Creek, about 20 miles from Crazy Woman Canyon by road — the easier basecamp if you want a downtown-adjacent stay with a genuine day-trip to the canyon.
14 guests · 3 bed · 2 bath
View Cabin →
Buffalo, Wyoming
Piton — Secluded Bighorn Cabin
Up in the southern Bighorns between Buffalo and Ten Sleep, in the same general high country as the canyon. Not adjacent to Crazy Woman Canyon itself, but a fitting basecamp for the same rugged Bighorn Mountains landscape.
12 guests · 3 bed · 1 bath
View Cabin →Planning the Drive
From downtown Buffalo, the most direct approach to the canyon's west entrance is south on US-16 toward the top of the Bighorns, then onto Forest Road 33. From the south, travelers on I-25 can pick up Reno Road at Exit 265 north of Kaycee, connect to US-87, and reach the canyon's east entrance after roughly 15 miles.
Go with a full tank of gas, water, and a plan that doesn't depend on cell service — coverage is unreliable in the canyon itself. Spring runoff and any recent rain are the two conditions most likely to close the road; a call to the Powder River Ranger District before you leave is worth the five minutes.
Crazy Woman Canyon FAQ
What is Crazy Woman Canyon?+
Crazy Woman Canyon Road (Bighorn National Forest Road 33) is a roughly 13-mile scenic drive that follows Crazy Woman Creek through a dramatic, narrow gorge in the Bighorn Mountains, connecting US-16 on the west end to US-87/196 on the east end, about 12 miles south of downtown Buffalo.
Do I need a high-clearance vehicle for Crazy Woman Canyon Road?+
Yes. The road is a narrow, one-lane dirt route that requires a high-clearance vehicle, ideally with 4WD or AWD. Large vehicles and trailers cannot navigate it, and it can become impassable when wet. Check current conditions with the Bighorn National Forest Powder River Ranger District before heading out — the road has been closed for maintenance in past years and reopens on its own schedule.
Is Crazy Woman Canyon open year-round?+
No — it's a seasonal drive, typically open in the warmer months and closed or impassable in snow. Conditions and closures vary year to year; verify current status with the Forest Service or WYDOT before planning a trip.
How far is Crazy Woman Canyon from Buffalo, Wyoming?+
The canyon's west entrance off US-16 is about 12 miles south of downtown Buffalo. Clear Creek Crossing, in town, puts you roughly 20 miles from the canyon by road — an easy half-day trip.
Is Piton close to Crazy Woman Canyon?+
Piton sits in the southern Bighorn Mountains between Buffalo and Ten Sleep, in the same broader mountain range as Crazy Woman Canyon, but it is not immediately adjacent to it — the canyon is a separate drive accessed from US-16 south of Buffalo. Piton works better as a basecamp for the general Bighorn Mountains experience than as a canyon-adjacent stay specifically.
Plan Your Canyon Basecamp
Browse the collection, or call our team and we'll help you plan the drive.