Lonesome Highway — Bighorn Mountains West Slope to Trapper Creek via the Medicine Lodge Divide
Rock art, canyon walls, and nobody behind you.
Out of Hyattville on the east end of the Bighorn Basin, the Medicine Lodge Road (CR 17 and FR 17) punches north and west into terrain most drivers never bother with — which is exactly why you should. The route follows Medicine Lodge Creek through a canyon etched in buff and ochre sandstone before climbing into ponderosa-covered ridgelines where pronghorn stare you down and don’t blink. The creek canyon itself holds one of Wyoming’s better-preserved prehistoric rock art sites at Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site — thousands of petroglyphs and pictographs on a sheltered cliff face. The road continues past the site into Bighorn National Forest, where it becomes FR 17 and roughens considerably toward Trapper Creek and the high timber country above 7,000 feet.
High-clearance 2WD can handle the lower canyon sections in dry conditions, but the upper forest roads demand 4WD when wet — and afternoon thunderstorms are routine from June through August. No permits required. Fuel in Hyattville is nonexistent; tank up in Worland or Greybull before committing. Dispersed camping is available throughout the national forest segment. Best season is late June through September; snow closes the upper roads into late spring most years. Cell service disappears entirely past the state archaeological site. Bring a paper map — GPS tracks in this area are inconsistent.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7400 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Hyattville, WY |
| Land manager | Bighorn National Forest / Wyoming State Parks |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Bighorn NF recreation area Wyoming State Parks — Medicine Lodge |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD handles this trail fine — no lift required. The surface is dirt and gravel with some rocky sections, but nothing that demands serious suspension travel. Skid plates are a smart idea given the remote stretch across the divide.
When does this route actually open after winter, and when does it close?
June through September is your window. Snow can linger on the Medicine Lodge Divide well into late May, and fall storms can shut the high sections down fast in October. Check with Bighorn National Forest before heading out early or late in the season.
Do I need a permit to run this route or camp along it?
No permit required for the Bighorn National Forest sections, and dispersed camping is allowed under standard USFS rules — 14-day limit, 300 feet from water. The Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site end is a Wyoming State Park, so check current day-use rules if you're planning to stop there.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The climb up to the Medicine Lodge Divide is the crux — loose rock, moderate shelf road, and enough exposure to get your attention if you're not used to Wyoming backcountry driving. It's rated Moderate, not brutal, but the remoteness is what demands respect: 38 miles with zero cell service and no bail-out towns between Hyattville and the divide.
Are the water crossings on this route a real concern, or just shallow tire-wetting?
Early season (June) the crossings can run higher with snowmelt and may require some confidence — late summer they're typically shallow and straightforward. Check conditions before you go if you're running June; by August most crossings are non-events for a high-clearance 4WD.
Trail track
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