Lonesome Highway — Bighorn Mountains Powder River Pass to Bull Creek via Hazelton Road
Wyoming ridgeline with zero crowds.
Powder River Pass tops out at 9,666 feet on US-16 through the Bighorn Mountains, and most traffic blows right through on the pavement. Hazelton Road peels east off the highway north of the pass and follows the upper drainage of Bull Creek down through lodgepole and open parks before emptying onto the Powder River basin sagebrush flats northeast of Buffalo. The road traces the edge of the Cloud Peak Wilderness without entering it, giving you long views across the wilderness boundary — granite walls, permanent snowfields, and the deep slot of Paint Rock Creek canyon below — while the track itself rolls through uncrowded Bighorn National Forest without a gate or a fee station in sight.
This is a solid high-clearance road, not a technical crawler — a capable 2WD truck handles it dry, but the clay sections turn to grease after rain and will swallow tires whole. Run it July through September before the high-country snow returns. No water sources reliable enough to count on; carry what you need. Buffalo is your fuel and supply town before you climb the west slope. Cell service disappears fast on the east face descent. Dispersed camping is available throughout the national forest. The payoff is a genuine Wyoming lonesome-road experience — no crowds, no noise, and a 50-mile uninterrupted view of plains running to the horizon.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 52 mi / 83.7 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9666 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD dry / 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Buffalo, WY |
| Land manager | Bighorn National Forest — Buffalo Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Bighorn National Forest |
| 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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Lonesome Highway without modifications?
Yes, a stock high-clearance truck like a Tacoma or 4Runner is fine in dry summer conditions. After rain, the clay-heavy sections of Hazelton Road turn slick fast — 4WD becomes necessary, not optional.
When does the trail typically open and close for the season?
July through September is the reliable window. Snow can close Powder River Pass (US-16) and the upper sections well into June and again by October — check with the Buffalo Ranger District before heading up early or late in the season.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on this route?
No permit required for driving the route or dispersed camping in Bighorn National Forest. Standard dispersed camping rules apply — 300 feet from water, trails, and roads, 14-day stay limit.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what should I actually expect?
The descent on Hazelton Road toward the Powder River basin is the roughest stretch — loose rock, ruts, and steep grades that get worse when wet. It's not a white-knuckle situation in dry conditions, but don't let the 'moderate' rating make you sloppy on that lower section.
Are there any water sources along the route, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There are seasonal creek crossings along the route — treat any water you pull from them. Buffalo, WY is your last guaranteed fuel stop before the trail; top off there, because 52 miles of remote Wyoming ridgeline with no services means you're on your own if you run short.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.