Lonesome Highway — Centennial Road to Tensleep Canyon via the Bighorn Basin Rim
Wyoming's red canyon rim, earned not paved.
Drop off the plateau west of the Bighorn Mountains and you’re suddenly running a rim road above one of Wyoming’s most dramatic geological transitions — the layered red, orange, and white canyon walls of Tensleep Creek gorge cutting nearly 2,000 feet below your wheels. The route follows county and BLM two-track from the benchlands above Worland, working south along the basin’s edge before descending via a loose shale and caliche surface into the canyon mouth near the Ten Sleep town of the same name. Watch for the unsigned junction at the canyon rim overlook — it’s easy to blow past in dust.
Surface conditions swing hard between graded gravel and rutted two-track depending on seasonal moisture; high clearance is mandatory and 4WD will be required on the canyon descent and any wet sections. Stock trucks with all-terrain tires handle this fine in dry summer conditions. Best run June through September — snowmelt closes the rim road well into May. No permit needed. Fuel in Worland or Ten Sleep before you go; no services on route. Dispersed camping is legal on BLM land along the bench. What you get is a legitimate taste of Wyoming badlands with the Bighorn front as a wall on your east horizon all day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6200 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Worland, WY |
| Land manager | BLM Worland Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Worland Field Office |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will get through — this is a moderate dirt and gravel route, not a rock crawl. Skid plates are a good idea given the remote nature, but you don't need a lift or lockers to complete it.
When does this route typically open in spring, and is it ever passable in October?
June through September is the reliable window. Spring runoff and late snow can make the basin rim soft and impassable into May. October is possible in a dry year but early snowfall can shut it down fast — check with the BLM Worland Field Office before you go late season.
Do I need a permit to run this route or camp along it?
No permit required — this is BLM land managed out of the Worland Field Office. Dispersed camping is allowed under standard BLM rules: 14-day limit, 200 feet from water sources and roads. No fee.
What's the hardest section and what does it actually look like?
The rim traverse above Tensleep Canyon is the most committing stretch — narrow two-track with significant exposure on the canyon side and no bailout options for several miles. It's not technically difficult driving, but a breakdown or wrong turn out here is a serious problem, not an inconvenience.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is water available on route?
Worland is your last reliable fuel stop — top off there before heading out. There are water crossings on route but don't count on them as a drinking source without filtration; carry at least 2 gallons per person for a two-day run since there are no developed water sources along the rim.
Trail track
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