Fall Hiking Bighorn Mountains: Trails at Peak Aspen Color
September 2, 2026 · 6 min read read · Wyo Stays Journal
Summer in the high country means afternoon thunderstorms and crowded trailheads; the season right after gives you cool mornings, stable weather windows, and trails that feel like your own. Wyo Stays sends more guests out on hikes in this window than any other time of year, honestly.
Fall hiking bighorn mountains trips hit peak aspen color from mid-September through early October at mid-elevation trails like Tongue River Canyon and the lower approaches to Steamboat Point, with color moving downhill as the season progresses. Cooler temperatures, fewer bugs, and thinner crowds make this the best hiking season in the range. Locals know that color doesn't hit everywhere at once — it starts high and moves down the mountain over about three to four weeks, so timing your trail to the color is worth some planning.
Fall Hiking Bighorn Mountains: Best Trail Picks
Tongue River Canyon, about 30 minutes from Sheridan near Dayton, offers a moderate trail along a clear creek lined with cottonwoods and aspens that turn gold in late September. Steamboat Point's lower trails, roughly 45 minutes out, combine granite scenery with aspen stands at the mid-elevations, making it a strong pick once the higher peaks have already gone past color and dropped their leaves.
For something less trafficked, several unnamed forest service roads and spur trails off Highway 14 and the Cloud Peak Skyway offer solid color with far fewer people — ask locally or check current Bighorn National Forest trail conditions for specific recommendations that match your fitness level.
Easier fall hikes near Sheridan, like the lower stretch of Tongue River Canyon, involve modest elevation gain of a few hundred feet over 2–4 miles round trip, manageable for most fitness levels. More ambitious trails toward Steamboat Point or higher Bighorn National Forest trailheads can involve 1,000+ feet of gain and should be reserved for hikers comfortable with steeper, longer routes. Always check current trail conditions and mileage before heading out, since national forest trail maintenance and access can shift year to year.
| Elevation band | Typical peak color window | Example trail |
|---|---|---|
| High (8,000–9,000 ft) | Early–mid September | Upper Bighorn National Forest trails |
| Mid (6,000–8,000 ft) | Mid–late September | Steamboat Point lower trails |
| Low (5,000–6,000 ft) | Late September–early October | Tongue River Canyon |
Timing is a general estimate based on typical Bighorn Mountains fall patterns; actual peak color shifts year to year with weather.
When Does Fall Color Peak, and How Does Hiking Change?
Peak color typically runs from mid-September at the higher elevations down through early October in the foothills closer to town, though exact timing shifts year to year based on early frost and moisture. High-elevation aspens near 8,000–9,000 feet usually turn first, often by the second week of September, with lower-elevation stands near 5,000–6,000 feet following two to three weeks later. Call ahead or check recent trail reports before driving out for a specific hike, since a single hard frost or windstorm can knock leaves down faster than expected in any given year.
Fall brings cooler daytime temperatures, generally in the 50s and 60s at trailhead elevation, and far fewer afternoon thunderstorms than the unpredictable summer pattern. Trails are noticeably less crowded once school is back in session, which means quieter trailheads and more parking even at popular spots. The tradeoff is shorter daylight and the start of hunting season in parts of the surrounding national forest — wearing blaze orange and checking which areas have active hunting seasons is smart if you're hiking outside strictly recreational zones in October.
A short checklist worth running through before any fall hiking bighorn mountains trip:
- Layers for a cold morning and a warm afternoon
- A headlamp given shorter daylight hours
- Blaze orange if your trail overlaps hunting season
- A current trail report checked the same week you plan to go
Is Fall Hiking Safe in the Bighorns?
Yes, generally safer than summer in terms of weather predictability, but fall brings its own considerations — shorter daylight hours mean you should start earlier and plan your turnaround time carefully. Early snow is possible at higher elevations even in September, so check the forecast for the specific trailhead elevation, not just the town forecast.
Hunting season overlaps with peak color in October, so wearing visible colors and staying aware of your surroundings matters more than it does in July. Wyo Stays is a licensed, insured Wyoming vacation rental brokerage, and we tell guests planning a fall hiking trip through the Bighorn Mountains to build in a little extra daylight buffer on either end of a hike, just in case weather or trail conditions slow things down.
Cell service is thin to nonexistent along most of these trails, so download offline maps before you leave town and let someone know your planned route and expected return time. A printed or downloaded trail map beats relying on a signal that may not show up once you're a mile past the trailhead, and it's one less thing to worry about if conditions shift faster than the forecast suggested.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the best fall hikes near Sheridan? A: Tongue River Canyon and the lower trails near Steamboat Point are the top picks, both within 30–45 minutes of Sheridan and offering strong aspen color at their respective elevations from mid-September into early October.
Q: When does fall color peak in the Bighorn Mountains? A: Peak color moves from high elevation to low over about three to four weeks, typically starting in early-to-mid September at 8,000+ feet and reaching lower-elevation trails by late September or early October.
Q: Is fall a good time to hike in the Bighorns? A: Yes — cooler temperatures, fewer thunderstorms, and lighter crowds make fall one of the best hiking seasons here, though shorter daylight and early snow at high elevation are worth planning around.
Q: Do I need to worry about hunting season while hiking in fall? A: Some fall hiking trails overlap with active hunting seasons in the surrounding national forest. Wearing visible colors like blaze orange and checking current season dates for your specific trail area is a good precaution.
Q: What should I pack for a fall hike in the Bighorns? A: Layers are essential — mornings can be near freezing at elevation while afternoons warm up considerably. Bring a headlamp given shorter daylight, and check the forecast for your specific trailhead elevation rather than the town forecast alone.
Book Your Fall Hiking Basecamp
Come back from a fall hike to a warm cabin near the mountain front instead of a long drive home. Book Direct — No Channel Fees — book direct at book.wyostays.com and put the savings toward gear or gas.
New to hiking in this range? Start with our Spring Hiking post for trail basics, check the full Fall Foliage guide for the color forecast, and see the Sheridan Vacation Guide for trip planning. Reserve your stay here and let wyostays.com handle the booking while you plan your next fall hiking bighorn mountains route.