Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark — Bighorn Mountains Wyoming Guide
The most undervisited significant archaeological site in the American West.
Dalton Goodyear · April 2026 · 8 min read
A 75-foot stone wheel built over 10,000 years ago at nearly 10,000 feet. Used ceremonially by dozens of Indigenous nations. Still sacred today. The most undervisited significant archaeological site in the American West — and one of the most powerful places you'll ever stand.
What the Medicine Wheel Is
The Medicine Wheel is a prehistoric stone circle at 9,642 feet elevation on a windswept ridge in the Bighorn Mountains. The wheel consists of a central cairn surrounded by 28 radiating stone lines forming a rough circle approximately 75 feet in diameter. Additional cairns sit along the rim.
Its exact origins remain a matter of ongoing research and spiritual tradition. Archaeological evidence suggests the site has been in use for thousands of years. It holds deep ceremonial significance for numerous Indigenous nations, including the Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Arapaho, Shoshone, and Lakota peoples. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970.
This is not a museum exhibit. It is an active sacred site. The offerings left along the fence — tobacco ties, prayer bundles, personal items — are living expressions of ongoing spiritual practice. They should never be touched or removed.
Visitor Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Bighorn National Forest, off US-14A |
| Distance from Sheridan | ~2 hours by car |
| Best combined with | Bighorn Scenic Byway drive (same road system) |
| Walk to site | 1.5-mile roundtrip from parking area |
| Restrictions | No dogs past parking. Photo respectfully. Some areas roped. |
| Season | Late June–September (road closed in winter) |
| Cost | Free |
| Elevation | 9,642 feet |
There are places that change how you think about time. The Medicine Wheel at 9,642 feet is one of them. Ten thousand years of ceremony. The Bighorn Basin below. The kind of silence that makes you feel small in the right way.
— Wyo Stays Team
Getting There from Sheridan
The most scenic route follows US-14 west from Sheridan through Dayton to Burgess Junction, then north on US-14A. The drive is spectacular — through the Bighorn National Forest, past alpine meadows, and along ridgelines that stretch to the horizon. Allow 2 hours for the drive, more if you stop (and you will want to stop).
From the parking area, the walk to the Medicine Wheel is about 0.75 miles on a gravel path — not strenuous but at nearly 10,000 feet elevation. Take it slowly if you're not acclimated to altitude.
What to Know Before You Go
Visiting Respectfully
The Medicine Wheel is a sacred site for many Indigenous nations. Do not touch or remove any offerings left along the fence. Stay on the designated path. Photography is permitted but should be done thoughtfully. If a ceremony is in progress, maintain distance and silence. This is someone's church.
Bring layers — the temperature at 9,642 feet can be 20–30 degrees cooler than Sheridan. Wind is common. Sunscreen is essential at this altitude. Bring water for the walk.
Combining with Other Activities
The Medicine Wheel pairs naturally with a Bighorn Scenic Byway drive. The road system connects — you can drive US-14 up, visit the Medicine Wheel via US-14A, and return on a different route for a full-day loop. Pack lunch. There are no restaurants at elevation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark is approximately 2 hours from Sheridan by car. The most scenic route follows US-14 west through Dayton and Burgess Junction, then north on US-14A. The drive itself is spectacular, passing through the Bighorn National Forest.
You can drive to the parking area, which is about 1.5 miles from the Medicine Wheel itself. From the parking lot, it's a 1.5-mile roundtrip walk on a gravel path to reach the site. The road to the parking area (off US-14A) is a paved forest road open seasonally, typically late June through September.
The Medicine Wheel is a 75-foot diameter stone circle at 9,642 feet elevation in the Bighorn Mountains. It consists of cairns and stone lines arranged in a wheel pattern and is believed to be over 10,000 years old. It has been used ceremonially by dozens of Indigenous nations and remains a sacred site today. It is designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Yes, the Medicine Wheel is open to visitors during summer months, typically late June through September, depending on snow conditions on US-14A. There is no admission fee. Visitors should be respectful of the site's sacred nature — offerings left at the wheel should not be disturbed, and photography should be done thoughtfully.
The road to Medicine Wheel (off US-14A) typically opens in late June and closes in September, depending on snowfall. US-14A itself closes seasonally due to snow. Check with the Bighorn National Forest for current road conditions before planning your visit.
Base Camp in Sheridan
Stay in Sheridan or the Bighorn foothills. Drive up to the Medicine Wheel for the day.
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