Guides/Overland routes/Wyoming
Overland route47 midifficulty: easy

Cloud Peak Skyway

RegionWyomingAgencyU.S. Forest Service, Wyoming Department of TransportationLast verified—
Cloud Peak Skyway — overland route near Buffalo, Wyoming, Wyoming
USDA Forest Service, USFS Rocky Mountain Region
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
47mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
Any street-legal vehicle. Paved its full length and plowed through most of the year, with winter closures during heavy storms.
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Spotty above the foothills; service in Buffalo, Ten Sleep, and Worland.
Take action
Plan in Epic PlansOpen in Google MapsOfficial site

Cloud Peak Skyway is a 47-mile paved highway, US-16, that crosses the southern Bighorn Mountains between Buffalo on the east and Ten Sleep on the west. The route climbs over Powder River Pass at 9,666 feet on Bighorn National Forest, with views into the Cloud Peak Wilderness and the 13,167-foot Cloud Peak itself. The Tensleep Canyon descent on the west side is the route's signature stretch, dropping through limestone walls to the High Plains.

The road is paved its full length and plowed through most of the year, with occasional winter closures during heavy storms. Most drivers run the byway in 90 minutes, longer with stops at the Tensleep Canyon overlooks or for a hike into the Cloud Peak Wilderness from Hyattville Road or West Tensleep Lake. RVs and trailers handle the route.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Winter closures during storms. WYDOT closes the road during heavy winter storms. Check WYDOT 511.
  • High elevation. Powder River Pass at 9,666 feet draws afternoon thunderstorms in summer and snow squalls in fall.
  • Wildlife. Moose and elk cross routinely. Reduce speed at dawn and dusk.
  • Limited services. No fuel station between Buffalo and Ten Sleep.
  • Crosswinds at the pass. Particularly hazardous for high-profile vehicles.

Location

47 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 44.333, -106.969

Trail facts

4 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service, Wyoming Department of Transportation
Nearest townBuffalo, Wyoming
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r02/bighorn
Approx. location44.333, -106.969

Getting there

Directions

From Buffalo (east entrance). Take US-16 west from Buffalo. The climb begins at the western edge of town.

From Ten Sleep (west entrance). Take US-16 east from Ten Sleep. The climb up Tensleep Canyon begins immediately east of town.

Photos

5 photos

Photos · 5

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The skyway runs east-west on US-16 between Buffalo (on I-25 east of the Bighorns) and Ten Sleep (on US-16 in the Bighorn Basin). Bighorn National Forest's Powder River and Tensleep Ranger Districts manage the FS lands along the corridor. Cloud Peak Wilderness sits north of the road; Crazy Woman Creek and the Tensleep Canyon flank the corridor on either side of the pass.

Trail Overview

Forty-seven miles, point-to-point, paved. The eastern climb out of Buffalo gains about 4,500 feet to Powder River Pass; the western descent through Tensleep Canyon drops about the same. Multiple overlooks pull off both sides. There are no technical obstacles. RVs handle the climb but should be alert for crosswinds at the pass.

Points of Interest

  • Powder River Pass (9,666 ft). The crest. Pullouts and a small parking area for hikes into the Cloud Peak Wilderness.
  • Tensleep Canyon overlooks. Multiple pullouts on the western descent, with views down the limestone canyon.
  • Tensleep Falls. Roadside falls a short walk from a parking area on the western descent.
  • Cloud Peak Wilderness trailheads. West Tensleep Lake, Hyattville Road, and Crazy Woman Canyon FS roads access multiple Wilderness entries.
  • Buffalo, Wyoming. Historic Wyoming town with the Occidental Hotel (1880s, still operating) at the eastern end.

Where to Camp

Bighorn National Forest maintains a string of developed campgrounds on the corridor: Crazy Woman, South Fork, Sitting Bull, Lakeview, Bull Creek, Tie Hack, and West Tensleep. Dispersed camping is allowed on FS land off side roads. Buffalo and Ten Sleep have private campgrounds and motels.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Stop at the Tensleep Canyon overlooks. They are the byway's signature views.
  • The Cloud Peak Wilderness trailheads at West Tensleep Lake and Hyattville Road are the standard access points for backpacking trips in the range.
  • Top off in Buffalo or Ten Sleep. Pass-area lodges have limited supplies but no fuel.
  • Watch for moose and elk on the upper portions, especially at dawn and dusk.
  • Combine with the Bighorn Scenic Byway (US-14) and Medicine Wheel Passage (US-14A) for a complete tour of the Bighorns.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Cloud Peak Skyway?
Cloud Peak Skyway is rated easy. The route runs 47 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Cloud Peak Skyway?
Any street-legal vehicle. Paved its full length and plowed through most of the year, with winter closures during heavy storms.
When is the best time to visit Cloud Peak Skyway?
The best months are May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
Is there cell service at Cloud Peak Skyway?
Spotty above the foothills; service in Buffalo, Ten Sleep, and Worland.