Lonesome Highway — Centennial Egg Mountains Road to Dubois via the Wind River Badlands (Wyoming)
Dinosaur badlands above the Wind River breaks.
The Badlands north of Dubois don’t get talked about much, which is exactly why they’re worth the detour. The Egg Mountain area near the Wind River basin is one of the richest dinosaur egg fossil sites in North America — paleontologists from the Museum of the Rockies documented major hadrosaur nesting colonies here in the 1970s and 80s. The overland route across this section of Wyoming high desert crosses pale-gray and rust-red mudstone badlands, climbs onto open sagebrush benches with unobstructed views of the Wind River Range to the south and the Absaroka Front to the north, and eventually drops into the Wind River valley just west of Dubois on corrugated gravel and two-track. It’s desolate, geologically fascinating, and completely overlooked by the tourist traffic on Highway 26 below.
This is a dry-weather-only track. The badlands clay turns impassable in wet conditions and the benches above can hide soft spots even in summer. High-clearance 4WD is the minimum; a locker helps on the steeper clay pitches near the river breaks. No services, no water on route. Carry extra fuel — nearest gas is Dubois or Riverton. Best months are June through September, with July and August requiring attention to afternoon thunderstorms. No permit required on BLM land. Dispersed camping is allowed on federal sections — get a fire restriction update from the Lander BLM field office before you go.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 45 mi / 72.4 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7400 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Dubois, WY |
| Land manager | BLM — Lander Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Lander Field Office |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this, or does it need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD handles it fine in dry conditions — no lift required. The rocky wash crossings and eroded two-track sections are the test, not extreme ledges or deep mud. Low-range is useful on a few steep grades in the badlands.
When does the road actually dry out enough to drive in spring?
June is the safe call — the Wind River Badlands clay turns to axle-sucking gumbo when wet and can stay that way well into May after snowmelt. After a summer rainstorm the same applies, so check conditions before you commit to the remote middle section.
Do you need a permit to drive or camp out here?
No permit required — this is BLM land managed out of the Lander Field Office and dispersed camping is legal. Standard Leave No Trace rules apply; no fees, no registration, just follow the 14-day stay limit.
What's the gnarliest section of the route and what should I expect?
The Wind River breaks descending toward Dubois have the loosest, most eroded track — steep clay shelves with limited recovery room if you slide. It's not technical by hardcore standards, but a loaded rig on wet clay here will have a bad day. Dry conditions make it straightforward.
How far is the nearest gas and is there any water source on the route?
Dubois is the closest fuel stop at the western end — fill up there or in Riverton/Shoshoni if you're coming from the east, because there is nothing in between. There are no reliable water sources on the route itself; carry all the water you need for the full 45 miles plus camp.
Trail track
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