Medicine Lodge Creek Archaeological Trail

Medicine Lodge Creek cuts deep red sandstone canyons through Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin, revealing Native American rock art spanning 10,000 years of continuous use. This 28-mile loop through the Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site follows rough two-track roads past towering sandstone walls covered in petroglyphs and pictographs created by everyone from Paleo-Indian hunters to historic Plains tribes. The route crosses Medicine Lodge Creek multiple times and navigates tight canyon sections where flash floods have carved dramatic narrows through the red rock.

High-clearance 2WD can handle dry conditions, but 4WD becomes essential after rain when the clay-based soil turns into axle-deep gumbo. Multiple water crossings can become impassable during spring runoff or after thunderstorms. No permits required, though respect for the archaeological sites is mandatory — touching rock art is prohibited and heavily fined. Best visited April through October, with excellent primitive camping along the creek. This isn’t just a trail, it’s a journey through human history carved in stone.