Cloud Peak Wilderness Day Hikes — A Guide from Sheridan
190,000 protected acres. No permit for day hiking. No crowds. Wyoming's most accessible serious alpine terrain, 45 minutes from downtown Sheridan.
Dalton Goodyear · May 12, 2026 · 7 min read
The Wilderness Nobody Knows About
Ask someone to name a Wyoming wilderness area and they'll say Yellowstone. Maybe the Wind Rivers. Almost nobody mentions Cloud Peak — 189,039 acres of protected alpine terrain in the Bighorn Mountains, with 130+ lakes, dozens of peaks above 12,000 feet, and trailheads 45 minutes from downtown Sheridan. No reservations. No entrance fee. No crowds.
The Cloud Peak Wilderness is anchored by its namesake summit — Cloud Peak at 13,167 feet, the highest point in the Bighorn Mountains. But you don't need to summit to experience it. The day hikes here reach alpine lakes surrounded by granite cirques, wildflower meadows that peak in late July, and the kind of solitude that the national parks lost decades ago.
| Trail | Distance | Elevation Gain | Difficulty | Highlight | Drive from Sheridan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Misty Moon Lake | 10 mi RT | 1,800 ft | Moderate–Hard | Alpine lake at 9,800 ft | 2.5 hrs (west side) |
| Lake Helen | 7 mi RT | 1,200 ft | Moderate | Granite cirque lake | 2.5 hrs (west side) |
| Hunter Trail to Solitude Loop | 8 mi RT | 1,500 ft | Moderate | Creek crossings, meadows | 45 min (east side) |
| Elk Lake via Mirror Lake Trail | 12 mi RT | 2,200 ft | Hard | Remote alpine lake | 1 hr (east side) |
| Paint Rock Creek | 6 mi RT | 900 ft | Easy–Moderate | Wildflower meadows | 2.5 hrs (west side) |
RT = roundtrip. West-side trailheads require driving over or around the Bighorns from Sheridan.
Trail 1: Misty Moon Lake
The signature Cloud Peak day hike. The trail climbs steadily through subalpine forest before breaking above treeline into a granite basin. Misty Moon Lake sits at 9,800 feet, surrounded by cliff walls and snowfields that linger into August. The water is absurdly clear and absurdly cold. Don't plan on swimming.
The catch: the West Tensleep Trailhead is on the west side of the Bighorns — about 2.5 hours from Sheridan via US-16 over Powder River Pass. It's a beautiful drive, but it makes this a full-day commitment. Leave Sheridan by 6am to be on the trail by 8:30.
Trail 2: Hunter Trail (East Side — Closest to Sheridan)
For something closer, the Hunter Trailhead on the east side of the Bighorns is just 45 minutes from downtown Sheridan. The Solitude Loop follows creeks through old-growth forest and opens into meadows with views of the Bighorn crest. It's 8 miles roundtrip with 1,500 feet of gain — manageable for fit hikers as a half-day outing.
Afternoon Thunderstorms
From July through August, afternoon thunderstorms are common above treeline in the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Lightning is the primary danger. Start early and plan to be below treeline by noon. If you hear thunder, descend immediately — there is no shelter above 10,000 feet.
Trail 3: Lake Helen
The most photogenic destination in the wilderness. Lake Helen sits in a granite cirque with vertical walls rising 500 feet above the water. At 7 miles roundtrip, it's shorter than Misty Moon and slightly easier — though the final mile scrambles over talus fields. Bring trekking poles and watch your footing.
Cloud Peak Wilderness is what the national parks were before the reservation systems, the entrance lines, and the Instagram crowds. 190,000 acres. No permit for day hiking. No entrance fee. Just the mountains and whoever showed up.
What to Bring
The Cloud Peak Wilderness is real backcountry. Cell service is unreliable above 8,000 feet and nonexistent in most of the wilderness. Carry a physical map (USGS Cloud Peak Wilderness quad), bear spray, layers for 30°F temperature swings, and more water than you think you need. The altitude hits harder than the distance — even fit sea-level hikers will feel 9,000+ feet.
Permit Information
Day hiking requires no advance permit. Overnight stays require a free self-issued permit available at all trailheads — just fill out the form at the register. Group sizes limited to 15 people. No campfires within 100 feet of any lake or stream.
Where to Stay
For east-side trailheads (Hunter Trail), stay in Sheridan — it's the closest town with quality lodging and dining. For west-side trailheads (Misty Moon, Lake Helen), consider a mountain cabin in Story or Dayton to cut the drive time. Wyo Stays manages properties on both sides of the Bighorn approach.
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Browse StaysFrequently Asked Questions
No permit is required for day hiking in the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Overnight camping requires a free self-issued permit available at trailheads. No reservation system — just fill out the form at the trailhead register. Group sizes are limited to 15 people and 25 livestock.
Misty Moon Lake (via West Tensleep Trailhead) is the most rewarding day hike — 10 miles roundtrip with 1,800 feet of gain to a stunning alpine lake at 9,800 feet. For a shorter option, Lake Helen (7 miles roundtrip) offers similar alpine beauty with less effort.
The closest trailheads to Sheridan are 45–60 minutes by car. The Hunter Trailhead on the east side is closest at about 45 minutes. The West Tensleep Trailhead on the west side requires driving over or around the Bighorns — about 2.5 hours via US-16.
Cloud Peak (13,167 feet) is a serious mountaineering objective — not a day hike. The standard route is a 22-mile roundtrip with 5,500 feet of gain, typically done as a 2–3 day backpacking trip. The final summit approach involves Class 2–3 scrambling on loose rock. This guide covers day hikes, not the summit.
Late June through September. Snow lingers at high elevations into July. August is the most reliable month for clear trails and warm temperatures. September brings fall colors but earlier snow is possible. Always check conditions before heading out.