Things to do in The Bighorn Mountains

The Bighorns are the whole point: waterfall hikes like Porcupine and Bucking Mule Falls, the climb up Steamboat Point, Shell Falls' family-friendly overlook, skiing at community-run Antelope Butte, and the ancient Medicine Wheel at 9,600 feet. Every mountain stop we trust, with honest difficulty notes, is below.

Every The Bighorn Mountains place we recommend

• Black Mountain LookoutHiking & Biking

  Climb to a staffed fire lookout with 360° views across the whole range. A real hike with a real payoff — bring water and a windbreaker.

• Steamboat PointHiking & Biking

  The prow-shaped rock you'll photograph from the byway — then climb for 360° views. Steep but short-ish; 11 miles up US-14 from the visitor center.

• Paradise FallsHiking & Biking

  A quieter Bighorn waterfall that rewards the drive up. Great turnaround point for a scenic-byway day.

• Bucking Mule FallsHiking & Biking

  A ~5-mile round trip to a 200-foot cascade spilling into Devil Canyon. Big-day energy on the far (west) side of the range — pack a lunch.

• Porcupine FallsHiking & Biking

  Short but steep down to a stunning 200-ft falls and a pool at the bottom. The descent is the easy part — save some legs for the climb out.

• Cloud Peak Wilderness (West Tensleep access)Hiking & Biking

  Serious backcountry beneath 13,167-ft Cloud Peak, the highest point in the Bighorns. For experienced hikers and backpackers — this is the big one. Mid-July to early September only.

• Cloud Peak Skyway (US-16)Scenic Drives & Falls

  The southern crossing over the Bighorns — sweeping Cloud Peak views, alpine lakes, and the drop into Ten Sleep Canyon on the far side. Half-day loop with the Scenic Byway. Watch for snow into June.

• Fallen City OverlookScenic Drives & Falls

  A tumble of massive limestone blocks that looks like a ruined city. Two-minute stop, great photo, kids love scrambling the pull-off.

• Shell Falls Interpretive SiteScenic Drives & Falls

  120 feet of water thundering through Shell Canyon, with a short interpretive trail and visitor center. The most family-friendly falls on the whole byway — everyone can do this one.

• Medicine Wheel / Medicine Mountain National Historic LandmarkScenic Drives & Falls

  An ancient stone wheel at ~9,600 ft, sacred to Plains tribes for centuries, with views that go forever. A 1.5-mile walk in from the lot. Remote, moving, unforgettable — a full commitment on the west side of the range.

• Antelope Butte Mountain Recreation AreaRecreation & Play

  Community-run ski hill up US-14 — real turns without the resort circus in winter, lift-served hiking and events in summer. The local secret that makes a Sheridan winter worth it.

• Sibley LakeLakes & Fishing

  Easy-access mountain lake right off US-14 with a campground, trout fishing, and non-motor boating — the family-friendly Bighorn lake day.

• Meadowlark LakeLakes & Fishing

  The showpiece lake of the Cloud Peak Skyway (US-16) — fishing, kayaking, and a lodge, ringed by peaks. Worth the drive over the mountain.

• West Tensleep LakeLakes & Fishing

  Trailhead lake into the Cloud Peak Wilderness and a serene, non-motorized fishery. The launch point for Lake Solitude and Mistymoon.

• Park Reservoir (Big Goose)Lakes & Fishing

  A high backcountry reservoir up the Big Goose road — rougher access, quieter water, real cutthroat. For anglers who like to earn it.

• Lake SolitudeLakes & Fishing

  A jewel alpine lake deep in the Cloud Peak Wilderness — a backpacking payoff beneath the high peaks. For those willing to walk in.

• Mistymoon LakeLakes & Fishing

  The classic basecamp lake for climbing Cloud Peak — an alpine amphitheater of granite and water. Serious backcountry, unforgettable.

• Five Springs FallsScenic Drives & Falls

  A tumbling falls and campground on the US-14A switchbacks up the west face — a short walk to a big reward on the Medicine Wheel route.

• Powder River PassScenic Drives & Falls

  The 9,666-ft summit of the Cloud Peak Skyway (US-16) — the highest point on the drive, with Cloud Peak filling the windshield. Pull over.

• Granite PassScenic Drives & Falls

  The high junction where US-14 and US-14A split near Burgess — big meadows, grazing cattle, and the roof of the northern Bighorns.

• Burgess Junction Visitor CenterScenic Drives & Falls

  The forest hub near the top of US-14 — maps, restrooms, interpretive exhibits, and the last reliable info before the high country. Start here.

• Elk View OverlookScenic Drives & Falls

  A sweeping roadside overlook and picnic pull-off on US-14 — an easy leg-stretch with a view that goes for miles.

• Devil Canyon Overlook (Bighorn Canyon)Scenic Drives & Falls

  A dizzying 1,000-ft drop to the turquoise water of Bighorn Canyon on the west side — pair it with the Pryor Mountain wild horses and the Medicine Wheel for an epic loop.

• Prune Creek CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Shady creekside campground on US-14 near Sibley Lake — easy trout fishing out the tent door. A reliable Bighorn basecamp.

• North Tongue CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Meadowy campground on the blue-ribbon North Tongue — one of the best small-stream fly-fishing spots in the range.

• Tie Flume CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Named for the log flumes that floated railroad ties off the mountain — a quiet, historic campground in the pines off US-14.

• Dead Swede CampgroundRecreation & Play

  The namesake of Sheridan's famous Dead Swede gravel race — a pretty forest campground and creek off US-14.

• Owen Creek CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Small, quiet, high campground off US-14 — the one you pick when you want the mountain to yourself.

• Cabin Creek Trailhead & CampgroundHiking & Biking

  A trail-and-camp hub off US-14 near the Tongue country — access to the high meadows without a huge drive.

• Sitting Bull CampgroundRecreation & Play

  The big, family-friendly campground near Meadowlark Lake on US-16 — the base for a Cloud Peak Skyway weekend.

• Bald Mountain CampgroundRecreation & Play

  High, open campground on the US-14A shoulder near the Medicine Wheel — huge skies and some of the darkest stars in Wyoming.

• Porcupine CampgroundRecreation & Play

  The base for Porcupine Falls and the Medicine Wheel on the wild west side of the range — remote, beautiful, worth the drive.

• Elgin Park TrailheadHiking & Biking

  A deep-in Cloud Peak trailhead for the ambitious — long approaches to some of the quietest alpine lakes in the range.

• Coffeen Park TrailheadHiking & Biking

  Remote west-slope trailhead into wild Cloud Peak country — high meadows, cutthroat lakes, and solitude.

• Sheep Mountain Fire LookoutHiking & Biking

  A historic staffed lookout with a 360° sweep of the northern Bighorns — a rewarding climb and a chat with the lookout on top.

• Medicine Wheel Passage (US-14A)Scenic Drives & Falls

  The dramatic western byway up to the Medicine Wheel — steep grades, huge views, and the wildest crossing of the range. Summer only.

• Ten Sleep Canyon OverlookScenic Drives & Falls

  The stunning red-and-grey canyon dropping off the west end of US-16 into Ten Sleep — world-class climbing walls and a jaw-drop drive.

• Willow Park ReservoirLakes & Fishing

  Quiet trout reservoir tucked off US-16 — a pretty, less-trafficked alternative to Meadowlark.

• Ranger Creek CampgroundRecreation & Play

  A pleasant creekside campground in the Tongue district — a simple, well-placed Bighorn overnight.

• Boulder Park (US-16)Scenic Drives & Falls

  The historic lodge-and-store near Meadowlark — a warm meal, a cabin, and snowmobile access in winter. A mountain institution on US-16.

• Cross Creek / Battle Park (Bighorns)Hiking & Biking

  A quiet west-slope access to Cloud Peak meadows and streams — the country you have to want to reach.

• Sawmill Lakes / Coney LakeLakes & Fishing

  A cluster of alpine lakes on the Cloud Peak approach — golden trout, granite, and the kind of quiet you drove all this way for.

• Shell Creek & Shell ReservoirLakes & Fishing

  High reservoir and creek fishing off the US-14 west descent toward Shell Falls — cutthroat, camps, and canyon scenery.

• Twin Lakes (Bighorns)Lakes & Fishing

  A pair of pretty alpine lakes on the Cloud Peak approaches — a worthy day-hike destination with a rod in the pack.

• Lakeview Campground (Meadowlark)Recreation & Play

  Camp right above Meadowlark Lake on US-16 — wake up to the water and the peaks. The prime Cloud Peak Skyway overnight.

• Island Park Campground (US-16)Recreation & Play

  A pretty forest campground on the west end of US-16 near Ten Sleep Canyon — good base for climbers and anglers.

• Shell Campground & Ranger Station (US-14)Recreation & Play

  The camp-and-ranger hub near Shell Falls on the west descent of US-14 — canyon walls, cold creek, and the falls a short drive up.

• Cloud Peak ReservoirLakes & Fishing

  A high reservoir under the Cloud Peak massif — cutthroat, quiet, and about as scenic as a cast gets.

• Florence LakeLakes & Fishing

  A backcountry alpine lake on the way to Mistymoon — worth the walk for the trout and the silence.

• Sibley Lake Nordic & Winter RecRecreation & Play

  Groomed cross-country and snowshoe trails around Sibley in winter — the quiet, cheap alternative to a lift ticket. Bring your own gear.

• Bighorn Snowmobile Trail SystemRecreation & Play

  Hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile trails across the top of the Bighorns out of Burgess Junction — a huge, uncrowded winter playground.

• Alkali Creek Wilderness Study AreaCulture & History

  Nature/wildlife area in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Big Goose CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Bighorn National Forest OverlookScenic Drives & Falls

  Scenic viewpoint in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Boulder Park CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Bucking Mule Falls Observation PointScenic Drives & Falls

  Scenic viewpoint in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Bull Creek CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Bull Elk Park Natural AreaCulture & History

  Nature/wildlife area in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Burgess Picnic AreaRecreation & Play

  Picnic site in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Cabin Creek CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Cloud Peak WildernessCulture & History

  Nature/wildlife area in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Coffeen Park CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Connor Battlefield State ParkRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Cottonwood RV ParkRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Cross Creek CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Deer Park CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Devil's Kitchen OverlookScenic Drives & Falls

  Scenic viewpoint in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• East Fork CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Fallen City Scenic ViewpointScenic Drives & Falls

  Scenic viewpoint in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Granite Creek Picnic AreaRecreation & Play

  Picnic site in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Hettinger Group CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Hunter Corral CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Island Park CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Jim Bridger Historic TrailHiking & Biking

  Named trailhead in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Lake Point CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Leigh Creek CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Liberty Ranch CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Little Goose CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Lower Doyle Creek CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Lower Paint Rock Lake CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Medicine Lodge Lake CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Medicine Lodge Lower CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Medicine Lodge Wilderness Study AreaCulture & History

  Nature/wildlife area in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Middle Fork CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• North Fork Picnic AreaRecreation & Play

  Picnic site in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• North Tongue River CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Observation PointScenic Drives & Falls

  Scenic viewpoint in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Pine Island Picnic AreaRecreation & Play

  Picnic site in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Powder River Pass information signScenic Drives & Falls

  Scenic viewpoint in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Saltlick TrailheadHiking & Biking

  Named trailhead in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Scenic TurnoutScenic Drives & Falls

  Scenic viewpoint in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Scenic ViewpointScenic Drives & Falls

  Scenic viewpoint in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Shell Creek CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Shell FallsScenic Drives & Falls

  Waterfall in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Sibley Lake Recreation AreaRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Sitting BullRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Ten Sleep RV ParkRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Tongue Canyon CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Trapper Creek Wilderness Study AreaCulture & History

  Nature/wildlife area in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Twin Lakes Picnic AreaRecreation & Play

  Picnic site in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Upper Paint Rock Lake CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• West Tensleep Lake CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

• Willow Park CampgroundRecreation & Play

  Public campground in the Bighorn Mountains — an open-data find worth a look; confirm access and season locally.

The Bighorn Mountains events worth planning around

• Antelope Butte Winter Season

  annual, snow-dependent

  The community ski hill spins its lifts once snow allows — the anchor of a Sheridan winter trip. Best rates of the year on stays; pair with Antelope Butte turns by day and the Mint Bar by night.