Motorcycle Riding Bighorn Mountains: Best Routes & Basecamp
September 12, 2026 · 7 min read read · Wyo Stays Journal
Two wheels, sweeping mountain curves, and a basecamp with a real bed at the end of the day — that's the pitch for riding through the Bighorns with Wyo Stays as your basecamp. Sheridan sits at the foot of every major route into the range, which makes it the natural staging point for a multi-day loop rather than a one-and-done day trip.
Riders come to the Bighorn Mountains for a specific kind of road: long, high-elevation stretches with real elevation change, minimal traffic, and a payoff view around nearly every bend. We hear it from guests every season at Wyo Stays — people who've ridden the Beartooth, the Tail of the Dragon, Going-to-the-Sun — who say the Bighorns surprised them. Fewer hairpins, more flowing sweepers, and fewer cars in your mirror.
Motorcycle Riding Bighorn Mountains: Which Routes Should You Take?
Motorcycle riding Bighorn Mountains style means committing to a full day at elevation, not just a scenic pullout. Three highways carry nearly all the motorcycle traffic through the range: US-14 and US-14A (branded together as the Cloud Peak Skyway) and US-16 through Powder River Pass. Each climbs from valley floor to well over 8,000 feet with sustained sweeping curves, and each starts within a short ride of Sheridan.
US-14 out of Dayton is the classic — it switchbacks hard right out of town, then settles into long, high-speed sweepers once you're above the canyon walls. Burgess Junction, roughly 40 miles in, has fuel and a ranger station, worth a stop before committing to either fork. US-14A continues west from there across an open alpine plateau before a long, technical descent into the Bighorn Basin near Lovell — the more remote, less-traveled option, so top off your tank at Burgess Junction before you commit. US-16 out of Buffalo, about 35 minutes south of Sheridan, climbs to Powder River Pass at 9,666 feet, the highest paved point in the range, then drops toward Ten Sleep and its famous canyon. It's a shorter, punchier ride than US-14 but no less scenic.
A loop combining US-14 out and US-16 back (or the reverse) via Greybull and Worland runs roughly 180-200 miles round trip from Sheridan, and most riders plan a full day for it with stops. Swap in US-14A instead of doubling back and you're closer to 220-240 miles depending on your route through the basin.
| Route | Approx. one-way mileage from Sheridan area | Max elevation | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| US-14 (Dayton to Burgess Jct to Greybull) | ~70 mi | ~9,000 ft | Classic sweepers, canyon views |
| US-14A (Burgess Jct to Lovell) | ~55 mi from junction | ~8,800 ft | Remote, technical descent, fewer riders |
| US-16 (Buffalo to Ten Sleep) | ~65 mi | 9,666 ft (Powder River Pass) | Highest point, punchy climbs, Ten Sleep Canyon |
| Full loop (US-14 out, US-16 back via Worland) | ~180-200 mi round trip | 9,666 ft | One full riding day, two-basecamp option |
Mileage figures are our estimates based on standard highway routing and posted mile markers; always confirm current road conditions before you ride, especially early and late season.
How Long Is a Full Bighorns Loop, and When Should You Ride?
Plan on a full riding day for the loop above, with stops for fuel, photos, and the inevitable break at Burgess Junction. Late June through mid-September is the reliable window — US-14, US-14A, and US-16 all cross high alpine terrain that closes seasonally, typically reopening in late May or June depending on snowpack and seeing early snow again by late September or October. Call ahead or check Wyoming DOT road conditions before a spring or fall ride; a clear Sheridan morning doesn't guarantee a clear pass 40 miles up.
July and August give you the most reliable weather window, but afternoon thunderstorms build fast at altitude most summer days. We tell riders staying with us to plan an early start — on the road by 8 or 9 a.m. — so you're off the pass before the 2 p.m. buildup. If you can only pick one season, September mornings often deliver the clearest, calmest air of the year, with the tradeoff of a shorter riding day and a real chance of an early snow closure.
A few things worth packing regardless of season:
- Layers for a 20-30 degree swing between valley floor and summit
- A basic tool kit and tire plug kit, especially for US-14A where cell coverage thins out fast
- A full tank before Burgess Junction or Buffalo — services disappear once you're past them
- A daylight buffer — deer and elk cross at dawn and dusk on all three routes
Where Should You Basecamp for a Multi-Day Ride?
Sheridan is the strongest basecamp because it sits at the eastern foot of both the US-14 approach and, via Buffalo, the US-16 approach, with walkable downtown lodging, fuel, and repair shops all in one place. Staying in Sheridan means you can ride a different pass each day and be back to a real bed — not a campsite — by evening.
Staying in Sheridan also means your ride days stack up against real savings. Book direct at book.wyostays.com — skip the OTA fees — and put more of your budget toward fuel, food, and a second day in the saddle. Wyo Stays is a licensed, insured Wyoming vacation rental brokerage, and every property we book direct skips the markup an OTA adds on top.
Buffalo works too if you're focused purely on US-16 and Ten Sleep Canyon, but you lose easy access to US-14's Dayton entrance. We tell riders who want to do it all — Skyway one day, Powder River Pass the next, a rest day walking Main Street in between — to stage out of Sheridan for the full loop. It's also where the Cloud Peak Skyway itself officially begins; read our full Cloud Peak Skyway guide for mile-by-mile pullouts and photo stops along US-14.
For riders serious about motorcycle riding Bighorn Mountains routes on a proper multi-day trip, parts of the ride are beginner-friendly, but the full pass crossings favor riders comfortable with sustained mountain curves, temperature swings, and thin shoulders. Above about 7,500 feet, the road narrows in places, guardrails thin out, and you'll drop 20-30 degrees from valley floor to summit — pack layers even in July. Deer and elk cross at dawn and dusk on all three routes, and open range cattle occasionally wander onto US-14A, so ride the passes in full daylight where you can and slow down through the plateau sections where sightlines shorten.
For the full Sheridan visit around your ride days, our Sheridan Vacation Guide covers where to eat and what else to do downtown between rides, and you can browse our Sheridan stays before you lock in your dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best motorcycle road near Sheridan, Wyoming? A: US-14, the Cloud Peak Skyway, is widely considered the standout — a roughly 70-mile climb from Dayton to Burgess Junction with sustained sweeping curves and canyon views. US-16 to Powder River Pass is a close second for its 9,666-foot summit.
Q: How long does it take to ride over the Bighorn Mountains? A: A one-way crossing on US-14 takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours with a couple of photo stops. A full loop combining two routes typically fills a whole riding day, roughly 180-200 miles round trip.
Q: Are the Bighorn Mountain passes open year-round? A: No. The high-elevation sections of US-14, US-14A, and US-16 close seasonally for snow, typically reopening in late spring and closing again with the first heavy fall snow. Always check current Wyoming DOT conditions before you ride.
Q: Is US-14 or US-16 better for motorcycles? A: Both are excellent; they're different rides. US-14 (Cloud Peak Skyway) offers longer sweeping curves and canyon scenery. US-16 climbs to a higher summit at Powder River Pass and connects to Ten Sleep Canyon, a shorter but punchier ride.
Q: Where do motorcyclists stay when riding the Bighorns? A: Sheridan is the most popular basecamp because it sits at the eastern access point for both major routes, with walkable downtown lodging and fuel readily available. Buffalo is a solid second option focused on the US-16 side.
Ready to Ride? Book Your Sheridan Basecamp
Book Direct — No Channel Fees at book.wyostays.com and land in a real Sheridan basecamp between passes. Browse our full lineup of Sheridan-area properties or explore the Sheridan Vacation Guide for more on what's downtown. However you ride it, wyostays.com has the basecamp waiting when you're off the mountain.