Guides/Overland routes/Wyoming
Overland route58 midifficulty: easy

Bighorn Scenic Byway

RegionWyomingAgencyU.S. Forest Service, Wyoming Department of TransportationLast verified—
Bighorn Scenic Byway — overland route near Sheridan, Wyoming, Wyoming
USDA Forest Service, USFS Rocky Mountain Region
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
58mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
Any street-legal vehicle. Paved its full length and plowed year-round, with occasional winter closures during heavy storms.
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Spotty in the high middle stretch; service in Sheridan, Greybull, and at Burgess Junction.
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The Bighorn Scenic Byway is a 58-mile paved highway, US-14, that crosses the northern Bighorn Mountains between Dayton (north of Sheridan) and Greybull on Bighorn National Forest. The route climbs over Granite Pass at 8,950 feet, then drops through the dramatic Shell Canyon limestone gorge on the western descent. Shell Falls inside the canyon is the byway's signature stop.

The road is paved its full length and is plowed year-round. Most drivers run the byway in two hours, longer with stops at Shell Falls or the Burgess Junction Visitor Center. RVs and trailers handle the route. The byway pairs naturally with US-14A (Medicine Wheel Passage) for a Bighorn loop.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Switchback descents. Both sides of the byway have steep switchback sections. Use engine braking.
  • Wildlife. Elk and deer cross routinely.
  • Winter storms. WYDOT closes the road during heavy storms. Check WYDOT 511.
  • High elevation. Granite Pass tops 8,950 feet; afternoon thunderstorms develop in summer.
  • Limited services on the corridor. No fuel between Dayton and Greybull.

Location

58 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 44.755, -107.425

Trail facts

4 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service, Wyoming Department of Transportation
Nearest townSheridan, Wyoming
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r02/bighorn
Approx. location44.755, -107.425

Getting there

Directions

From Dayton / Sheridan (east entrance). Take US-14 west from Dayton (north of Sheridan on I-90). The climb begins immediately west of town.

From Greybull (west entrance). Take US-14 east from Greybull. The climb up Shell Canyon begins about ten miles east of town.

Photos

6 photos

Photos · 6

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The byway runs east-west on US-14 between Dayton at the eastern foot of the Bighorns (just north of Sheridan) and Greybull on the Bighorn Basin. Bighorn National Forest's Tongue and Medicine Wheel Ranger Districts manage the FS lands along the corridor. Burgess Junction sits at roughly the route's midpoint, where US-14 and US-14A split.

Trail Overview

Fifty-eight miles, point-to-point, paved. The eastern climb out of Dayton gains about 5,000 feet to Granite Pass through switchbacks; the western descent drops through Shell Canyon, a limestone gorge with vertical walls. There are no technical obstacles. The Burgess Junction Visitor Center has interpretive displays and is a good orientation stop.

Points of Interest

  • Shell Falls. The byway's signature stop. A 120-foot falls in Shell Canyon with a paved trail and overlook.
  • Shell Canyon. Limestone gorge on the western descent with multiple pullouts.
  • Granite Pass (8,950 ft). The crest. Lookout point on the eastern side with views over the Tongue River drainage.
  • Burgess Junction Visitor Center. USFS interpretive center at the US-14/14A junction with displays on the area's geology and history.
  • Dayton, Wyoming. Eastern gateway town with the Wyoming Bay Horse Saloon, one of the state's older bars.

Where to Camp

Bighorn National Forest maintains several developed campgrounds along the corridor: Sibley Lake, Tie Flume, Owen Creek, Prune Creek, North Tongue, Cabin Creek, and Shell Creek. Dispersed camping is allowed on FS land off side roads with the standard 16-day stay limit. Greybull, Dayton, and Sheridan have private campgrounds and motels.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Shell Falls is the route's signature stop. Plan extra time for the overlook.
  • Combine with US-14A (Medicine Wheel Passage) for a Bighorn Mountains loop tour.
  • The Burgess Junction Visitor Center is the best orientation stop for understanding the area's geology and history.
  • Watch for elk and deer on the upper stretches.
  • Top off in Dayton, Greybull, or Sheridan. Burgess Junction has limited services and no fuel.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Bighorn Scenic Byway?
Bighorn Scenic Byway is rated easy. The route runs 58 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Bighorn Scenic Byway?
Any street-legal vehicle. Paved its full length and plowed year-round, with occasional winter closures during heavy storms.
When is the best time to visit Bighorn Scenic Byway?
The best months are May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
Is there cell service at Bighorn Scenic Byway?
Spotty in the high middle stretch; service in Sheridan, Greybull, and at Burgess Junction.

Resources

1 doc

Brochures & guides