Tatman Mountain Road — Bighorn Basin Rim to Meeteetse via the Greybull River Benchlands
Bentonite badlands bench above the Greybull River.
Tatman Mountain sits like a stranded mesa above the Greybull River valley in Park County, Wyoming — cut off from the main Bighorn Basin floor by eroded badlands that give this road its teeth. The route climbs off the valley floor south of Meeteetse and traverses the broad, sage-covered top of Tatman Mountain before descending through dissected clay and shale breaks back to pavement near Grass Creek. The road surface is bentonite clay — bone-dry and fast in summer, a wheel-swallowing grease trap the instant moisture hits it. Views from the ridgeline take in the entire Absaroka front to the west and the Basin floor stretching east toward Thermopolis. This is pronghorn and wild horse country, and you’ll likely see more of both than you will other people.
Run this one in a high-clearance 4WD rig and only when the forecast is dry — bentonite clay closes this road to anything on four wheels after even light rain. No permit required. Best season is June through October in dry stretches. Fuel and supplies in Meeteetse, which itself is a 30-mile drive from anything resembling a grocery store. No cell service on the mesa. Water crossings are minimal — a couple of seasonal drainages. Dispersed camping is possible on BLM lands. The payoff is total solitude, honest Wyoming big-sky views, and a genuine taste of the Bighorn Basin backcountry that most visitors never find.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 45 mi / 72.4 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6200 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Meeteetse, WY |
| Land manager | BLM — Worland Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| 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 Tatman Mountain Road, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner will get it done under normal dry conditions. The bentonite clay sections are the wildcard — if it's wet, ground clearance matters less than whether you can move at all, and even lifted rigs get stuck.
What's the window to run this trail and what happens if it rains?
June through October is your realistic window, with July–September being most reliable. Bentonite clay turns to axle-deep grease after any rain — it doesn't drain, it doesn't firm up fast, and it will stop you cold regardless of what you're driving.
Do I need a permit or is there a fee to drive Tatman Mountain Road?
No permit required and no fee — it's BLM land managed out of the Worland Field Office. Standard BLM rules apply: pack it in, pack it out, no campfires during fire restrictions.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually be ready for?
The exposed bench cuts along the Greybull River rim have loose, eroded edges with limited room to maneuver — not technical rock crawling, but enough to demand attention. The bigger challenge is route-finding across featureless badlands terrain where tracks split and signage is nonexistent.
Is there any water on route, and how far is the nearest fuel from the trailhead?
There are water crossings on route but treat anything you pull from them — this is high-desert ranch and wildlife country. Meeteetse is your fuel stop and it's small, so top off in Cody or Worland before you commit to the route; don't count on Meeteetse having extended hours.
Trail track
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