Lonesome Highway — Bighorn Mountains High Road via Powder River Pass
Wyoming high country with zero crowds.
US-16 over Powder River Pass at 9,666 feet is already one of Wyoming’s most dramatic paved crossings, but the real experience starts when you drop onto the Forest Service roads that spider off the highway into the Bighorn National Forest interior. The Ten Sleep Canyon approach from the west is a jaw-dropper — sheer limestone walls and a creek that the road hugs through a genuine slot canyon. From the east side, tracks like FR 26 and FR 27 push into the high country toward Hunter Corrals and Meadowlark Lake, where elk traffic in September is so heavy it stops rigs. The Cloud Peak Wilderness boundary sits just back from these roads, forcing you to stop and walk if you want to go deeper.
Most of these forest roads are manageable in a capable stock 4WD, but mud conditions after late-spring snowmelt can turn them to axle-deep gumbo — come back in July or August. No permit needed for dispersed camping in the Bighorn National Forest; just stay 100 feet from water and 300 feet from the road. Fuel in Worland or Buffalo; neither is close once you’re up top. Cell service is spotty at pass level, nonexistent in the canyons. This is elk, mule deer, and pronghorn country with some of the best fall color in Wyoming — and almost no crowd pressure compared to the Tetons two hours west.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 55 mi / 88.5 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9666 ft |
| Best season | July-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Buffalo, Wyoming |
| Land manager | Bighorn National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Tacoma handle this trail without any lift?
Yes, a stock 4WD with decent clearance can run this route. The dirt and gravel forest roads don't require a build, but high-centering is possible on rougher spurs — aired-down tires and a skid plate help.
When does the road typically open and close for the season?
July through October is your window. Snow can hit Powder River Pass (9,666 ft) as early as late September, and some forest roads stay buried well into June — call the Bighorn National Forest Supervisor's Office before an early-season run.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp out here?
No permit required for vehicle travel or dispersed camping on Bighorn National Forest land. Stay 200 feet from water sources and established roads, pack out everything, and don't cut new campsites.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The roughest sections are the forest road spurs off the main route — loose gravel, embedded rock, and steep grades with little room to turn around. The main corridor is moderate, but a wrong spur choice can put you on a shelf road real fast.
How far is it between reliable water sources, and can I count on finding water on trail?
There are stream crossings and high-country drainages along the route, but don't count on any single source being reliable late in a dry summer. Carry at least 5 gallons of drinking water and treat anything you pull from the ground — cattle graze this country.
Trail track
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