Birch Creek to Heart Mountain — Shoshone National Forest Absaroka Front Road via Dead Indian Hill
Absaroka front, geological freakshow, zero crowd.
Heart Mountain is one of the strangest geological features in North America — a massive block of ancient limestone that somehow ended up sitting on top of younger rock, and the Shoshone National Forest roads on its western flank give you a front-row seat. The route runs from the Birch Creek drainage up through the lower Absaroka foothills via USFS road networks south of Dead Indian Hill — the same country where the Dead Indian Pass highway crests at over 8,000 feet before dropping into the Sunlight Basin. The USFS two-tracks through here are genuinely remote: creek crossings without bridges, roads that narrow to single-track in the willows, and the kind of elk-dense forest that makes you feel like the first person through in a week. You probably are.
This is moderate-to-difficult terrain depending on seasonal conditions. Early season snowmelt can flood the lower Birch Creek crossings into late June; late September brings early snow above 7,500 feet. A 4WD rig with real clearance and recovery gear is the minimum — not because the road is technically brutal, but because you are genuinely alone out here. The nearest help is in Cody, and that’s not close. Shoshone National Forest allows dispersed camping throughout. No permit required. Fuel up in Cody before you go, and carry enough food for an extra night because this country will make you want to stay.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 47 mi / 75.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8340 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high-clearance with recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Cody, WY |
| Land manager | Shoshone National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.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 Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
Stock high-clearance 4WD will get through, but you'll want at least a mild lift and all-terrain tires — the rutted sections and water crossings will punish low-slung skid plates. Lockers or a limited-slip rear help on the loose, off-camber pitches near the higher elevation sections. Bring recovery gear regardless.
When does this route actually open and close each year?
July through September is the reliable window. Snow can block the higher sections well into June and return by October, sometimes earlier. Call the Shoshone National Forest Cody Ranger District before you go — conditions vary hard year to year.
Do I need a permit to run this route or camp along it?
No permit required for vehicle travel or dispersed camping in Shoshone National Forest. Standard forest rules apply — camp 200 feet from water, no fees for dispersed sites. Check the USFS site for any temporary fire restrictions, which get posted without much warning.
What's the hardest section and what makes it gnarly?
The roughest miles are along the Absaroka front corridor where the road narrows, gets deeply rutted, and throws in exposed shelf road segments with loose shale. Water crossings are not bridged and can run fast and rocky after summer storms — water depth and current are the real variables, not just clearance.
How far is the nearest gas and what's the cell service situation out there?
Cody is your last fuel stop — tank up before you leave, because 47 miles of backcountry with no services means you need comfortable margin on your range. Cell service is nonexistent for the entire route, so download offline maps and file a trip plan with someone before you roll out.
Trail track
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