Kellner Canyon Road — Bighorn Mountains Desert Floor to Cloud Peak Wilderness Edge
Bighorn's east wall, no guardrails.
The Bighorn Mountains don’t ease you in on the east side — they slam you with a wall of limestone and vertical relief the second you leave the basin floor. Kellner Canyon Road punches west out of the foothills near Dayton, Wyoming, threading a tight drainage up through ponderosa pine, limestone ledges, and creek crossings before topping out at backcountry camp sites near the Cloud Peak Wilderness boundary. The route climbs nearly 4,000 feet from the sage flats, and the canyon narrows hard in the middle section where shelf-road shelves crumble at the edge and the creek has to be crossed three times in quick succession — not dramatic crossings individually, but back-to-back with loose rock exits they’ll test your line-reading.
A high-clearance 4WD is the minimum entry fee, and after any rain that red-clay approach becomes a skating rink with no apology. Best window is late June through September before the snow returns to the upper elevations. No permit needed, and dispersed camping is legal on Bighorn National Forest land throughout. Dayton or Sheridan are your last fuel and supply stops — both about 20 miles east. Cell service dies before you’re a mile in. What you get out here is solitude, elk, and a legitimate taste of the Wyoming backcountry that most people only see from US-14.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8700 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Dayton, WY |
| 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 | |
| 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 Kellner Canyon Road, or do I need a build?
A stock 4WD high-clearance rig like a 4Runner or Tacoma can make it, but you'll earn it. The rocky canyon sections demand real articulation and careful line selection — skid plates are strongly advised, and a locker helps on the steeper loose-rock pitches near the upper elevation gain.
When does Kellner Canyon Road typically open, and is snow a real concern?
June through September is your window. The upper approaches toward Cloud Peak Wilderness edge can hold snow well into June, and early fall storms can close the road fast — sometimes before September ends. Check current conditions with Bighorn National Forest before you roll.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on Kellner Canyon Road?
No permit is required to drive the trail or use dispersed campsites within Bighorn National Forest. Standard forest rules apply — camp 100 feet from water and roads, pack out everything. No fee stations on this route.
What's the hardest section, and what exactly makes it rough?
The climb through the upper canyon toward the 8,700-foot high point is where things get serious — loose shale, embedded rock, and off-camber shelf sections with no margin for error. There are no guardrails and limited room to turn around, so commit knowing what you're getting into before you start ascending.
Are the water crossings on Kellner Canyon Road actual obstacles, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
Yes, the crossings are real — runoff-fed and variable by season, they can be axle-deep in June and significantly easier by August. Dayton, WY is your last fuel stop before the trailhead, roughly 18 miles from the start, so top off and carry a spare can if your range is tight.
Trail track
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