Lonesome Highway — Bighorn Canyon North District to Barry’s Landing via Devil Canyon Rim
Montana's deepest canyon, no crowds, no signal.
Most overlanders skip Bighorn Canyon’s north district entirely, which is exactly why you should go. From US-310 near Lovell, Wyoming, you cross into Montana and track north along the canyon rim on a network of two-track and graded dirt roads to Barry’s Landing — a boat ramp and primitive camp perched at the edge of Bighorn Lake’s upper arm, hemmed in by canyon walls that drop nearly sheer into the reservoir. The drive cuts through Pryor Mountain foothills, open sage flats, and occasional outcrops of weathered limestone. Watch for wild horses belonging to the Pryor Mountain herd — they range this bench frequently, and a band crossing the road at dusk is not unusual. Devil Canyon Overlook sits midroute at roughly 3,800 feet of rim elevation, looking down into one of the deepest water-filled canyons in the northern Rockies.
The road is maintained gravel and dirt — passable for any high-clearance vehicle in dry conditions, but the clay sections turn greasy and impassable in wet weather. Spring and fall are ideal; summer works but afternoon thunderstorms can strand you in minutes. No fuel north of Lovell. Water is available seasonally at the Barry’s Landing campground but treat it as unreliable — carry your own. Bighorn Canyon NRA charges an entry fee. Cell service is nonexistent once you drop into the north district. This is a patient driver’s road, not a speed run.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3900 ft |
| Best season | April-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Nearest town | Lovell, WY |
| Land manager | National Park Service — Bighorn Canyon NRA |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | NPS Bighorn Canyon North District |
| 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 this route, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 2WD truck handles it fine in dry conditions — the surface is dirt and gravel with no technical rock obstacles. Lifted 4WD gives you a buffer if afternoon thunderstorms have softened the road, but it's not required.
When does the road through the North District actually open in spring, and is snow a real issue?
April through June is the sweet spot, but early April can still see snow and mud at elevation — call the Bighorn Canyon NRA visitor center before committing. The road can close without notice after heavy precipitation any time of year.
Do I need a permit to drive this route, and is there an entrance fee?
Yes — Bighorn Canyon NRA charges an entrance fee, currently covered by America the Beautiful passes. No separate permit is required for the drive itself, but check with NPS directly at nps.gov/bica for current fee structure before you go.
What's the hardest section of the route and what should I actually expect?
The Devil Canyon Rim stretch is the crux — narrow shelf road with exposure, no guardrails, and loose gravel edges. It's not technical driving, but one wrong line in a wide rig near the rim edge gets serious fast. Drive it slow and don't let passengers distract you.
There's no cell service on this route — how far is the nearest gas and water before I commit?
Lovell, WY is your last stop for fuel, water, and supplies — top everything off there, it's the closest town and there's nothing along the 28 miles. Dispersed camping is available, but there's no potable water on route, so carry more than you think you need.
Trail track
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