Visiting Sheridan, Wyoming
Sheridan, Wyoming — Visitor Answers
40 direct answers about getting here, the Bighorn Mountains, dogs, eating out, day trips, and practical trip planning — written by locals, not a platform.
Getting Here
What's the nearest airport to Sheridan, Wyoming?
Sheridan County Airport (SHR) is the closest airport, with United Express flying nonstop to Denver International (DEN) daily on a 50-seat CRJ-200. For more flight options or lower fares, Billings Logan International (BIL) in Montana is about 130 miles north — roughly a 2-hour drive.
How far is Sheridan, Wyoming from Billings, Montana?
Billings is about 130 miles north of Sheridan, roughly a 2-hour drive via I-90. It's the closest city with a major airport and the most common gateway for visitors flying in from out of state.
How far is Sheridan from Casper, Wyoming?
Casper is about 149 miles south of Sheridan, roughly a 2.5-hour drive via I-25 and I-90.
How far is Sheridan from Denver, Colorado?
Denver is about 425 miles south of Sheridan, roughly a 6 to 6.5-hour drive via I-25, with Douglas, Wyoming as the approximate halfway point.
How far is Sheridan from Rapid City, South Dakota?
Rapid City is about 245 miles east of Sheridan, roughly a 3.5 to 4-hour drive via I-90 — the same route that connects Sheridan to Devils Tower and the Black Hills.
Do I need a car to visit Sheridan, Wyoming?
Yes. Sheridan has no public transit system and rideshare coverage is thin, so a car is necessary to reach the Bighorn Mountains, most restaurants outside downtown, and any of the surrounding towns. Rental cars are available at Sheridan County Airport; if you fly into Billings or Denver instead, plan on driving the rest of the way.
When to Come
What's the best month to visit Sheridan, Wyoming?
June through September is the best window for full access — Red Grade Road and the high country of the Bighorn Mountains are open, polo season is underway, and every restaurant patio downtown is running. July is the busiest month, anchored by Sheridan WYO Rodeo Week.
When does Red Grade Road close for the winter?
Red Grade Road (Sheridan County Road 26) typically closes mid-December through early April, weather permitting. It's a mostly unpaved, 44-mile route from the town of Big Horn up into the Bighorn National Forest, and Sheridan County gates it for the season rather than plow it.
When is Sheridan WYO Rodeo Week?
Sheridan WYO Rodeo Week runs the second full week of July every year. See our complete WYO Rodeo guide for this year's exact dates, ticketing, parking, and where to stay.
What is Don King Days?
Don King Days is a Labor Day weekend celebration of classic cowboy and cavalry events — steer roping, bronc riding, and the Big Horn Polo Club's largest tournament of the season — held at the Big Horn Equestrian Center in Big Horn, Wyoming, just south of Sheridan.
When can I watch polo near Sheridan?
Free polo runs all summer at two clubs just outside town. Big Horn Polo Club plays Sunday games from the first week of June through Labor Day (1 p.m. in June, 1 and 3 p.m. in July and August), and Flying H Polo Club plays Thursdays and Saturdays in July and August. Both are free and open to the public, with tailgating encouraged.
What is Born in a Barn?
Born in a Barn is an annual two-day vintage and maker's market held every September on a working ranch outside Sheridan, drawing more than 90 vendors, live music, and a food field for a $5 gate fee.
The Mountains
How far is Sheridan from the Bighorn Mountains?
Sheridan sits at the base of the Bighorns, so the mountains start close — Red Grade Road's trailheads are about 15 to 20 minutes from downtown, and the town of Big Horn, where Red Grade Road begins, is 7 miles south on US-87.
What is Red Grade Road?
Red Grade Road (Sheridan County Road 26) is a mostly unpaved, 44-mile route that climbs from the town of Big Horn west over the Bighorn Mountains to US-14. It's steep with no guardrails in places, so high-clearance or 4WD is recommended past the lower trailheads, and the road is gated closed every winter.
What is the Tongue River Canyon Trail?
Tongue River Canyon Trail is a 4.8-mile, moderate out-and-back hike near Dayton, Wyoming, following the Tongue River between sheer limestone canyon walls. About half a mile in, a CCC-era footbridge crosses the river to a short side trip up to Tongue River Cave. It's open year-round and dog-friendly on leash, best hiked April through September.
How tall is Cloud Peak, and can I hike it?
Cloud Peak is 13,167 feet, the tallest point in the Bighorn National Forest, and sits inside the 189,039-acre Cloud Peak Wilderness. The two main routes are a roughly 23-mile round trip from the West Tensleep Trailhead and a roughly 24-mile loop from the Battle Park Trailhead — both are backcountry trips, not a day hike, and require a free self-issued wilderness permit at the trailhead.
Can I get into the Bighorn Mountains in the winter?
Not by Red Grade Road or the US-14A Scenic Byway, both of which close for the season (US-14A shuts down around December 1 and reopens by Memorial Day). US-14 over Granite Pass stays open and plowed year-round as the winter route between Sheridan and the west side of the mountains, and it's how Nordic skiers and snowmobilers reach groomed winter terrain.
Dogs
Are there dog parks in Sheridan, Wyoming?
Yes. Lions Club Park has a fenced, off-leash dog park with shade structures, benches, and a water fountain. Kendrick Park, on the west edge of downtown, is leash-only but has creekside walking trails through an arboretum, plus a fenced viewing area for a small bison and elk herd.
What hiking trails near Sheridan are dog-friendly?
Tongue River Canyon Trail, just outside Dayton, allows dogs on leash and is one of the most popular hikes in the area. Most trails in the Bighorn National Forest allow leashed dogs — check individual trailhead postings for any seasonal wildlife closures.
Which restaurants and bars in downtown Sheridan have dog-friendly patios?
Several downtown spots welcome leashed dogs outside: Black Tooth Brewing Company, Luminous Brewhouse, and Smith Alley Brewing Company all allow dogs on their patios in warm weather, The Pony Grill & Bar has a covered, heated pet-friendly patio, and Cowboy Cafe, Hygge Hearth, and Java Moon all set aside outdoor tables for guests with dogs.
Are Wyo Stays vacation rentals pet-friendly?
Some are and some aren't — pet policy is set per property, not sitewide, so check the individual listing or filter by pet-friendly before booking if you're traveling with a dog.
Eating and Drinking
What are the best breweries in Sheridan, Wyoming?
Black Tooth Brewing Company is the anchor — a casual taproom known for its Saddle Bronc Brown and a busy outdoor patio in summer. Luminous Brewhouse, Smith Alley Brewing Company, and Tongue River Brewing round out the rest of downtown's brewery scene.
What is the Mint Bar in Sheridan?
The Mint Bar is a Main Street institution that's operated continuously since 1907, known for its neon bucking-horse sign — lit nightly since the 1950s and one of the most recognized sights on Main Street — and a Western memorabilia-lined interior.
Where can I get fine dining in Sheridan?
Frackelton's and Le Rêve are Sheridan's two fine-dining rooms — Frackelton's for a classic steakhouse experience and Le Rêve for a smaller, seasonal tasting-menu format.
Where's good coffee in Sheridan?
Java Moon, downtown, is the local favorite for a morning coffee stop, with an outdoor patio that welcomes dogs.
Where can I find a full list of Sheridan restaurants?
For a complete, locally written rundown beyond these highlights, see our guide to the best restaurants in Sheridan, Wyoming.
Day Trips
Can I visit Yellowstone as a day trip from Sheridan?
Not really. Yellowstone's East Entrance is about 392 miles and roughly 4 hours away one-way, over Granite Pass and through Cody, so a round trip alone is an 8-hour driving day before you've seen the park. Treat Yellowstone as a multi-day trip from Sheridan, not a day trip — our complete drive guide covers routes, road conditions, and where to break up the drive.
How far is Devils Tower from Sheridan?
Devils Tower is about 165 miles from Sheridan, roughly a 2.5-hour drive via I-90 and US-14, with Gillette, Wyoming as the halfway point — a comfortable day trip.
How far is the Little Bighorn Battlefield from Sheridan?
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, near Crow Agency, Montana, is about 71 miles from Sheridan — roughly an hour via I-90 — making it one of the easiest day trips from Sheridan.
How far is Buffalo, Wyoming from Sheridan?
Buffalo is about 36 miles south of Sheridan, roughly a 35-minute drive via I-90 — close enough for a half-day trip to its historic downtown and the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, which covers the Bozeman Trail era and the nearby Wagon Box Fight.
How far is Story, Wyoming from Sheridan?
Story is about 20 miles south of Sheridan, roughly a 25 to 30-minute drive via I-90 — a small mountain-foothills community near the historic Wagon Box Fight site and Fort Phil Kearny, with easy access to the southern Bighorns.
Practical
What time is check-in and check-out for Wyo Stays vacation rentals?
Standard check-in is 4:00 PM and check-out is 10:00 AM, though exact times are set per property and confirmed in your booking. Early check-in and late check-out can sometimes be arranged — just ask.
Is there a minimum-night stay requirement?
Most Wyo Stays properties have a 2-night minimum, rising to 3 nights on peak summer weekends and during major events like Sheridan WYO Rodeo Week, when demand is highest.
What is the lodging tax on vacation rentals in Sheridan County?
Sheridan County's combined lodging tax is 7% — 5% statewide plus a 2% county lodging tax, the maximum rate county voters approved in 2022. It applies to stays of 29 nights or fewer at hotels, vacation rentals, guest ranches, and campgrounds.
Will my cell phone work in the Bighorn Mountains?
Not reliably. Coverage thins out quickly once you leave the highway corridor and gain elevation — Verizon generally has the strongest signal in the area, but don't count on service in the backcountry. Download offline maps and let someone know your route before you head up Red Grade Road or into the Cloud Peak Wilderness.
What's the elevation in Sheridan, and should I worry about altitude?
Sheridan sits at 3,742 feet, mild enough that most visitors won't notice any altitude effects in town. The Bighorn Mountains climb much higher — Cloud Peak tops out at 13,167 feet — so give yourself time to acclimatize if you're heading into the high country from closer to sea level.
Staying Longer
Can I rent a furnished home in Sheridan for a month or longer?
Yes — Wyo Stays offers furnished monthly and extended-stay rentals across Sheridan County, from 1 to 5 bedrooms, most available on 30-day-plus terms. It's the same portfolio we manage day to day rather than a separate reserved pool, so availability shifts with demand.
Does Wyo Stays offer housing for travel nurses at Sheridan Memorial Hospital?
Yes — Wyo Stays furnishes homes for travel nurses, techs, and locum physicians on 13-week contracts in and around Sheridan, some walkable to downtown and others closer to the Bighorns, with the option to hold a block for recurring rotations.
Can I work remotely from a Wyo Stays rental?
Yes, though internet setup varies by property — in-town rentals generally run on standard cable or fiber, while some cabins deeper in the Bighorns rely on Starlink satellite internet instead of cell-based hotspots, which don't hold a reliable signal at elevation.
How reliable is internet at Bighorn Mountain cabins?
It depends on the property's setup, not just its location — cellular hotspots are unreliable in the mountains because cell coverage itself is weak there, so several higher-elevation cabins are equipped with Starlink satellite internet instead, which performs consistently regardless of nearby cell towers.
Planning a trip with more moving parts?
For booking, ownership, and property questions, see the full FAQ. For a personal itinerary, our concierge team plans it with you.