Kellner Canyon to Tensleep Canyon — Bighorn Mountains East Face Desert Road
Bighorn's eastern face, raw and unforgiving.
Drop off US-16 west of Buffalo and you’re already committed. The Kellner Canyon approach climbs the eastern face of the Bighorns through exposed shale benches and loose sandstone switchbacks before the road levels into high ponderosa country. The whole route threads between the Cloud Peak Wilderness boundary and the canyon rims above Tensleep Creek, with the Tensleep Canyon overlooks delivering some of the sharpest vertical exposure in northern Wyoming. Watch for the creek crossing at Leigh Creek — it can run knee-deep through June and has swallowed underestimating drivers before.
This is a legitimate high-clearance run. Stock 4WD trucks handle it in dry conditions, but the shale sections turn greasy fast when wet and the canyon walls offer zero recovery room. Bring a full-size spare, a snatch strap, and enough water for the basin crossing — there’s nothing between Buffalo and Tensleep if you snap an axle. Best run mid-July through September. No permit required. Dispersed camping on Bighorn National Forest land. Cell service dies at the canyon mouth and stays dead.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9100 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Buffalo, Wyoming |
| Land manager | Bighorn National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle this trail without any mods?
A stock 4WD with genuine high clearance will get through, but it'll work for every inch of it — the rocky climbs on the eastern escarpment are punishing on stock skid plates and sidewalls. Lifted rigs with all-terrain tires have a meaningful advantage here. Don't attempt it in a crossover or anything with a two-wheel-drive mode only.
When does this trail actually open and close each year?
July through September is your reliable window. Snow can linger at the upper elevations well into June, and early October storms can catch you off guard fast at 9,100 feet. Check road conditions with Bighorn National Forest before you go — they'll know if anything is still buried or washed out.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp along it?
No permit required to drive the trail. Dispersed camping is allowed within Bighorn National Forest under standard forest rules — 16-day stay limit, 300 feet from water sources and trails, pack out everything. No fees for dispersed sites as of current Bighorn NF policy, but verify at fs.usda.gov/bighorn before you leave.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The climb off the eastern desert basin up the escarpment toward the canyon country is where this trail earns its rating — loose rock, off-camber shelf road, and exposed switchbacks with little room for error. A wrong line here can mean a busted diff or a very bad afternoon. Go slow, pick your line before you commit, and don't be too proud to get out and scout.
Is there any water or gas along the 38 miles, and how far out is the nearest fuel?
There are water crossings on trail, but treat everything you pull from them — no potable water sources exist along the route. Fuel up in Buffalo before you head out; there's nothing between the trailhead and Tensleep that you'd want to count on. Carry more than you think you need on both fronts — this is 38 miles of remote with zero cell service and no bailout options.
Trail track
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