Lonesome Highway — Bighorn Mountains West Slope to Shell Falls via Highway 14 Backcountry Spur
Wyoming canyon country above the basin floor.
Highway 14 over the Bighorns between Greybull and Burgess Junction is already one of Wyoming’s great scenic drives, but it’s the network of forest roads hanging off its western approach — particularly the tracks dropping into Shell Canyon and the spur routes above the rim — that make this an overland destination worth planning a trip around. The Shell Creek Road and adjacent FS tracks climb from the sage flats of the Bighorn Basin up through ponderosa and into spruce-fir forest above 9,000 feet, with views west across the basin floor that go on forever. Shell Falls itself plunges 120 feet through a narrow limestone notch just off the main highway — a legitimate geological spectacle. The backcountry spurs above the canyon rim offer dispersed camping on Bighorn National Forest land with near-total solitude even in summer.
The main highway is paved but steep with tight switchbacks — trailers over 48 feet are prohibited and that limit is enforced. The dirt forest road spurs off the main corridor range from graded gravel accessible to most vehicles to rocky two-track that benefits from a lifted 4WD. Best season is June through September; the road closes with snow typically by October. No permit required for dispersed camping. Fuel in Greybull on the west side before you climb — nothing at the top. Cell service is nonexistent on the upper slopes. This is straightforward mountain overlanding that punches well above its logistical complexity.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 42 mi / 67.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9666 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance recommended for spur roads |
| Nearest town | Greybull, WY |
| Land manager | Bighorn National Forest — Tongue Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Shell Falls Recreation Area Bighorn National Forest |
| 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 trail without a lift?
The main route is manageable for stock high-clearance trucks on the primary dirt and gravel surface. The spur roads branching off toward dispersed campsites are rougher and can have embedded rock and washouts where extra clearance or skid plates earn their keep.
When does the route typically open in spring and close in fall?
June through September is the reliable window. Snow can linger at the 9,600-foot high point well into late May, and early fall storms can drop snow by late September. Check road conditions with the Bighorn National Forest — Tongue Ranger District before heading out outside that core window.
Are there permits or fees required to drive this route or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the route. Dispersed camping in Bighorn National Forest is free and no reservation is needed, but standard forest rules apply — 16-day stay limit, 200 feet from water sources. Shell Falls has a developed pullout and interpretive area with no fee.
What's the hardest section and what does it actually feel like to drive it?
The steepest, most technical stretch is the canyon descent toward Shell Creek where the road narrows, the grade pitches sharply, and loose gravel over limestone slabs can get greasy after rain. It's not a white-knuckle trail, but underestimating the descent in a heavy rig with soft brakes is how people have a bad day.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there water on the route?
Greybull is your last reliable fuel stop before the west slope start — top off there, it's roughly 25 miles to the trailhead and 42 miles of backcountry with zero services. Shell Creek runs along portions of the route and can be treated for water, but don't count on it late season; carry what you need.
Trail track
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