Guides/Overland routes/Wyoming
Overland route27 midifficulty: easy

Medicine Wheel Passage

RegionWyomingAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Medicine Wheel Passage — overland route near Lovell, Wyoming, Wyoming
USDA Forest Service, USFS Rocky Mountain Region
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
27mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
Any street-legal vehicle. Paved its full length, with a short gravel spur to the Medicine Wheel itself.
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Spotty between Burgess Junction and Lovell; service in town.
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The Medicine Wheel Passage is a 27-mile section of US-14A on Bighorn National Forest, running from Burgess Junction west to Lovell, Wyoming. The route crosses the Bighorn Mountains' western flank and provides access to the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark, a 75-foot stone circle on a 9,642-foot ridge that is one of the largest known indigenous medicine wheels in North America.

The route is paved its full length and is part of the larger Bighorn Scenic Byway system. Most drivers run the passage in 90 minutes, longer with a stop at the Medicine Wheel (a 1.5-mile gravel access spur and a short walk in). The road closes from late November through May with snow above 8,000 feet.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Seasonal closures. US-14A closes from late November through late May above 8,000 feet.
  • Switchback descent. The drop to Lovell is steep; use engine braking.
  • High elevation. The Medicine Wheel sits at 9,642 feet. Watch for altitude effects.
  • Wildlife. Deer and the occasional moose cross the road.
  • Limited services. No fuel between Lovell and Burgess Junction.

Location

27 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 44.828, -107.922

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townLovell, Wyoming
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r02/bighorn
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Approx. location44.828, -107.922

Getting there

Directions

From Lovell (west entrance). Take US-14A east from Lovell. The climb begins immediately east of town.

From Burgess Junction (east entrance). From US-14 at Burgess Junction (50 miles west of Sheridan), take US-14A west. The Medicine Wheel turnoff comes up about 25 miles in.

Photos

5 photos

Photos · 5

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The passage runs west from Burgess Junction (where US-14 splits into the Bighorn Scenic Byway and US-14A) and drops to Lovell on the Bighorn Basin. Bighorn National Forest's Medicine Wheel Ranger District manages the corridor. The Medicine Wheel itself sits on a high ridge accessible by a short gravel spur road and a walk-in.

Trail Overview

Twenty-seven miles, point-to-point, paved. The road crests at roughly 9,400 feet near the Medicine Wheel turnoff and drops to about 4,000 feet at Lovell. The descent has switchbacks but no technical obstacles. The Medicine Wheel access spur is a 1.5-mile graded gravel road; the wheel itself is a flat 1.5-mile walk from the parking area.

Points of Interest

  • Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark. A 75-foot stone circle, prehistoric in origin, on a 9,642-foot ridge. The site is sacred to multiple indigenous nations; respectful visitation only.
  • Bald Mountain. 10,028-foot peak adjacent to the Medicine Wheel ridge.
  • Burgess Junction Visitor Center. USFS visitor center at the Bighorn Byway junction with interpretive displays.
  • Cottonwood Canyon. Side canyon on the descent toward Lovell.
  • Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Below the byway near Lovell, accessible via WY-14A and US-310.

Where to Camp

Bighorn National Forest maintains several developed campgrounds along the larger byway system, including North Tongue and Sibley Lake near Burgess Junction and Bald Mountain Campground on the Medicine Wheel side. Dispersed camping on FS land is allowed off side roads with the standard 16-day stay limit. Lovell has private campgrounds.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • The Medicine Wheel is a sacred site. Do not enter the circle, take artifacts, or disturb offerings.
  • The 1.5-mile walk from the parking area to the wheel itself is at high elevation. Allow time and bring water.
  • The seasonal closure runs from late November through late May. Check with the Medicine Wheel Ranger District (307-548-6541).
  • Combine with the Bighorn Scenic Byway (US-14) over Granite Pass for a loop tour of the Bighorns.
  • Top off in Lovell or Sheridan. Burgess Junction has limited services.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Medicine Wheel Passage?
Medicine Wheel Passage is rated easy. The route runs 27 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Medicine Wheel Passage?
Any street-legal vehicle. Paved its full length, with a short gravel spur to the Medicine Wheel itself.
When is the best time to visit Medicine Wheel Passage?
The best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May.
Is there cell service at Medicine Wheel Passage?
Spotty between Burgess Junction and Lovell; service in town.