Lonesome Highway — Centennial Road to Tensleep Canyon via the Bighorn National Forest South Fork and Paintrock Creek Divide
Wyoming's red wall country from basin floor to divide.
Out of Hyattville on County Road 17 you climb fast into the Bighorn National Forest, threading Medicine Lodge Creek canyon past pictograph panels painted by people who knew this country long before anyone drew a road on a map. The route pushes through South Fork country on FR 17 and FR 15 — both raw two-track in stretches — before topping out near Paintrock Creek Divide at better than 9,000 feet. From the divide the red wall country drops away to the west, layers of Chugwater sandstone bleeding rust and salmon toward the basin floor. The descent into Tensleep Canyon via Tensleep Creek gorge is the payoff — tight, rocky, and spectacular.
This is stock-4WD-minimum territory. The creek crossings on Paintrock Creek run high in June and early July — check conditions with the Bighorn National Forest Tongue Ranger District before committing. Snow can close the upper divide through mid-June most years. No permit required, dispersed camping available on national forest land, but water sources are seasonal so carry your own or filter from the creek. Fuel up in Worland or Ten Sleep — nothing in between. Cell service drops to zero once you leave the highway. What you get is the Bighorns the way most visitors never see them — working ranches below, wild elk country above.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 47 mi / 75.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9320 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| 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 | USFS Bighorn National Forest Bighorn National Forest main page |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle this, or does it need to be lifted?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can make it, but you'll earn it — rocky shelf sections and creek crossings will test your skid plates and approach angles. A mild lift (2–3 inches) with all-terrain tires removes most of the stress. Anything lower than stock truck clearance has no business on this route.
When does this route actually open, and can you run it in early June?
July through September is the reliable window. The high divide sections near 9,300 feet hold snow well into June, and spring mud on the approach roads can swallow rigs whole. Don't gamble on early June — call the Tongue Ranger District before you go.
Do you need a permit to run this route or camp along it?
No permit required for the route or dispersed camping within Bighorn National Forest. Standard forest rules apply — camp 100 feet from water and trails, pack out everything. No fee to access.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The Paintrock Creek divide climb is where it gets serious — loose rock, narrow shelf road, and exposed drop-offs with limited room to recover if you drift. It's not a winch-fest, but one bad line choice can put a rocker panel on rock fast. Air down, go slow, and don't attempt it in wet conditions.
How deep are the Paintrock Creek crossings, and are they passable mid-summer?
Mid-summer crossings are typically wheel-hub to lower-door depth depending on snowmelt runoff — July can still be pushy after a heavy snow year. Walk them before you drive them. There's no bypass if your rig floods out, and you have zero cell service for the entire 47 miles.
Trail track
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