Coyote Corrals to Big Pryor Mountain — Pryor Mountains Wild Horse Range High Road
Wild horses, limestone benches, no guardrails.
The Pryor Mountains sit in a corner of south-central Montana that most people drive past on the way to Yellowstone without ever knowing it exists. That’s the point. From the BLM corrals near Lovell, Wyoming, you climb the east face of the Pryors on a dirt road that turns to fractured limestone bench as you gain elevation, passing through juniper breaks and open sage flats where bands of federally protected wild horses graze within arm’s reach of the truck. The road tops out near Big Pryor Mountain at around 8,800 feet, giving you a full view of the Bighorn River canyon to the east and the Beartooth Plateau to the northwest. Dry Head Overlook is the mandatory stop — it looks straight down into a 2,000-foot canyon with zero guardrail and zero apology.
This is a high-clearance road, not a technical crawler — a capable 4×4 with decent ground clearance handles it fine in dry conditions, but the limestone gets dangerously slick when wet and snow can close the upper plateau through May. No permit required, no fee, no services. Lovell, Wyoming is your last fuel and water stop. Dispersed camping is available throughout the BLM-managed range. Best run June through September. The wild horse viewing alone justifies the drive.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8786 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Lovell, Wyoming |
| Land manager | BLM Cody Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.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 4Runner or Tacoma handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a 4Runner or Tacoma is fine. The rocky limestone sections and rutted dirt climbs don't require a lift, but lockers or a rear locker will give you peace of mind on the looser rocky pitches near the summit plateau.
When does the road open in spring and is it passable in October?
June through September is the reliable window. Snow lingers on the upper plateau past late May, and early October storms can close the high road fast with little warning. The BLM Cody Field Office is your best call for current conditions before you roll.
Do I need a permit to drive through the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range?
No permit required to drive or camp dispersed on BLM land here. Standard Leave No Trace rules apply — no fees, no reservation system, just don't mess with the horses or harass the herd.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually be ready for?
The climb from Coyote Corrals toward the Big Pryor summit ridge has the most aggressive rock and steep grade — loose limestone slabs and eroded sections that punish low-clearance rigs and flat tires. At 8,786 feet with no guardrails and significant exposure on the western edge, wind and sudden afternoon storms are the real threat, not the trail itself.
How far is the nearest gas and is there any water source on route?
Lovell, Wyoming is your last fuel stop — top off there, because it's roughly 20+ miles of dirt each way with zero services on trail. There are no reliable water sources on the plateau, so carry all drinking water you need for your full stay.
Trail track
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