Lonesome Highway — Centennial Road to Tensleep Canyon via the Bighorn National Forest North Fork and Porcupine Creek Divide
Basin to canyon — Bighorn backcountry at its loneliest.
The Bighorn National Forest hides a web of forest roads that most people drive past at 70 mph on US-16 without ever knowing exist. This route picks up north of the basin near Hyattville on BLM ground, climbs through the North Fork canyon of Paintrock Creek into ponderosa and then spruce, crosses the Porcupine Creek divide at just over 9,000 feet, and drops hard into the upper Tensleep drainage to emerge near the canyon mouth on US-16. The divide crossing itself is the crux — loose shale ledges on the east face after any moisture and a tight shelf road section with no room to turn around. Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark sits within striking distance as a named side trip on FR 14.
This is a high-country run that demands a proper 4WD rig with recovery gear — you will not see another vehicle for hours at a stretch. Best driven July through September before the early October snowfall shuts the high passes. Fuel in Greybull or Worland before you leave the pavement; there is nothing out here. Cell service drops entirely above the canyon rims. No permit is required. The reward is a true end-to-end traverse of the Bighorn’s north country that links basin desert to alpine meadow to slot canyon in a single day’s hard driving.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 62 mi / 99.8 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9200 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Hyattville, WY |
| Land manager | Bighorn National Forest — Tongue Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Bighorn National Forest USFS |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Tacoma handle this trail, or does it need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a 4Runner or Tacoma can manage, but you'll want good all-terrain tires and a skid plate. Some rocky sections and the creek crossings will punish low-clearance rigs or anything running street tires.
When does this route actually open, and is snow a real concern?
July through September is your window — the Porcupine Creek Divide sits near 9,200 ft and holds snow well into June most years. Don't push it in early July without confirming conditions with the Tongue Ranger District first.
Do you need a permit to run this route or camp along it?
No permit required for the route or dispersed camping in Bighorn National Forest. Standard forest rules apply — pack it in, pack it out, no fees for dispersed sites.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The stretch through the North Fork drainage and up toward the Porcupine Creek Divide is where it gets real — rocky two-track, off-camber shelf road, and no bailout for long stretches. Budget extra time here and don't attempt it in wet conditions; that clay-heavy dirt turns greasy fast.
How far is the nearest fuel, and is there reliable water along the route?
Fuel up in Worland or Buffalo before you start — there's nothing useful near Hyattville and you've got 62 miles of backcountry ahead. Water crossings exist along the North Fork drainage, but treat everything; bring enough carry capacity to not rely on finding a clean crossing when you need it.
Trail track
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