Bighorn Mountains Medicine Wheel Road
Sacred Medicine Wheel high country access
Forest Road 12 climbs from Shell Creek to the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark, a 700-year-old stone circle built by Plains tribes at 9,642 feet elevation. This isn’t just another scenic drive—you’re accessing one of the most sacred Native American sites in North America via a gnarly mountain road that’ll test your rig’s cooling system and your nerve on blind switchbacks. The final approach requires hiking the last 1.5 miles, but getting there involves 20 miles of serious mountain driving through country where elk outnumber people 100 to 1.
Moderate to Difficult depending on conditions, requiring high-clearance 4WD for the upper sections. Snow closes the road from October through June, and even summer weather can turn violent fast above treeline. No facilities, no cell service, and you’ll need to carry extra water and emergency gear. What makes it worthwhile is the spiritual weight of the place—standing where countless generations of Native Americans made medicine, with the entire Bighorn Basin spread out 4,000 feet below.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 22 mi / 35.4 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9642 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Shell, 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 Tacoma or 4Runner handle Medicine Wheel Road, or does it need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner can run this trail, but rock sections and eroded ruts will test your breakover angle. Skid plates help. Lifted rigs have more margin for error on the rougher stretches near the upper elevation.
When does Medicine Wheel Road actually open each year, and is snow a real concern?
July through September is the reliable window — snowpack at nearly 9,700 feet can linger well into June and return by October. Don't assume it's clear before July without checking current conditions with Bighorn National Forest directly.
Do you need a permit to drive to the Medicine Wheel, and is there a fee?
No permit or fee is required to drive the road itself. The Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark is managed by Bighorn National Forest — access is free, but the site is sacred to multiple Native American tribes, so respect posted closures and restricted areas around the wheel.
What's the hardest section of this trail and what makes it gnarly?
The upper portion approaching the Medicine Wheel climbs aggressively with loose rock, off-camber sections, and exposed ridgeline exposure. The combination of altitude (9,600+ feet), narrow track width, and no guardrails makes it committing — one mistake on the steep sections puts you in serious terrain.
There's zero cell service on this trail — how far out is the nearest fuel and what's the gas situation?
Shell, Wyoming is the nearest town but is small with limited services — fuel up in Greybull or Lovell before heading in. The full 22-mile route plus approach adds up fast, so top off your tank and carry extra fuel if your rig is thirsty. Nobody's coming to find you quickly out here.
Trail track
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