Chimney Rock Road — Owl Creek Mountains Desert Basin to Medicine Wheel Sanctuary
Sacred ridge above the Bighorns.
Most people visit Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark via a paved approach from US-14A — you are not most people. The back way in threads through the Owl Creek Mountains from the south, crossing open sagebrush flats before the road pitches upward through lodgepole and limber pine. The limestone ridgeline at the top is raw and windswept, and the 75-spoke Medicine Wheel itself — built by Plains peoples an estimated 800 years ago — sits at 9,642 feet with views stretching into Montana and South Dakota. The road passes through the Bighorn National Forest, with Dry Fork Creek Road and the upper switchbacks being the crux sections where soft limestone shelf road meets exposure.
A high-clearance 4WD is mandatory — stock SUVs in dry conditions can manage, but the limestone shelves turn greasy fast when wet. The upper section is typically passable June through October, though early and late season snowfall can shut it without warning. No permit is required to drive the route, but the Medicine Wheel site itself has a short hike-in requirement during peak season. Carry your own water — springs in this country cannot be trusted without treatment. Cell service is zero. Plan fuel from Lovell or Burgess Junction. It rewards you with solitude, altitude, and history stacked three layers deep.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 34 mi / 54.7 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9642 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Lovell, Wyoming |
| Land manager | Bighorn National Forest, USDA Forest Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this trail, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will get through, but expect rocky sections and some rough shelf road that will test your skid plates. Lockers help on the steeper rocky pitches — not mandatory, but you'll want them if you're solo. Low-clearance AWD crossovers have no business here.
When does Chimney Rock Road actually open in spring, and is October too late to run it?
The route typically opens in June once snowmelt clears the upper ridge — the Medicine Wheel area sits near 10,000 feet and holds snow well into May. October is generally fine but push your luck past mid-October and you risk early season snow closing the high section fast. Check with Bighorn National Forest before heading out.
Do I need a permit to visit the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark at the end of this route?
No permit is required to access Medicine Wheel, but the site is managed by the Forest Service and there are restrictions — a 1.5-mile restricted road near the site means you park and walk the last stretch. The site holds deep significance to multiple Native American tribes, so conduct yourself accordingly.
What's the hardest section of this trail and what makes it technical?
The climb out of the Owl Creek basin toward the upper ridge is where it gets serious — loose rock, steep grades, and exposed shelf road with limited recovery room. Aired-down tires and a spotter on the tight rocky sections will save you grief. The descent toward the Medicine Wheel side is less brutal but still demands attention.
Is there water available on trail, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There are water crossings on the route but treat anything you take from them — no potable water infrastructure exists out here. Lovell is your closest fuel stop, roughly 35 miles from the upper end of the trail near the Medicine Wheel, so top off before you drop into the backcountry. Cell service is zero for the entire route, so your comms plan needs to be sorted before you leave pavement.
Trail track
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