Lonesome Highway — Centennial Road to Meeteetse via the Absaroka Front and Greybull River Bench
Badlands, benchlands, and the Absaroka wall.
Meeteetse sits at the end of a long reach into the Bighorn Basin — a genuine working ranch town with a historic bar, a museum, and not much else, which is exactly what you want after two hours of washboard through the Absaroka foothills. The route follows county roads and two-tracks southwest from the Greybull River benchlands, cutting through the kind of Wyoming badland terrain that alternates between grey bentonite clay hills, sagebrush flats, and unexpected red-walled drainage cuts. The Wood River valley approach from the east gives you a clear shot at the Absaroka Range — a wall of volcanic spires that forms one of the most imposing mountain fronts in the lower 48. Keep your eyes on the skyline for pronghorn, mule deer, and the occasional black bear working the creek bottoms.
Road conditions vary dramatically with weather — bentonite clay turns to axle-sucking grease after rain and can strand even experienced 4×4 drivers. Dry-weather only. A stock 4WD with decent clearance handles it fine in good conditions, but a locker and all-terrain tires are better insurance. No permits, no fees. The best windows are late May through June and September through October — summer heat and afternoon thunderstorms make August the least predictable month. Fuel in Meeteetse or Greybull before you roll. No cell service once you leave the valley floors.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 48 mi / 77.2 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6800 ft |
| Best season | May-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Meeteetse, WY |
| Land manager | BLM Cody Field Office / Park County Roads |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Cody Field Office |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle this trail without a lift?
Yes — a stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle is the minimum and it's sufficient for this route under dry conditions. Aggressive mud tires aren't required, but all-terrains are strongly preferred given the mixed dirt and gravel surface across the Greybull River bench.
When does this route become impassable and what closes it out?
Spring snowmelt and summer thunderstorms turn the badlands clay sections into axle-deep grease — avoid July and August monsoon season if possible. Best windows are May–June and September–October; winter access is essentially a non-starter due to snow and mud.
Do I need a permit to drive this route or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the route — it crosses BLM land managed by the Cody Field Office and Park County roads, both of which are open to public travel. Dispersed camping on BLM sections is free with a 14-day stay limit; no campfire permits required but check for seasonal fire restrictions before you go.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The painted badlands terrain approaching the Absaroka front is where the route gets honest — loose surface, eroded two-track, and no bailout options for several miles. It's not a rock-crawler challenge but a sustained moderate push; if it's rained recently, that clay will stop almost anything regardless of rig.
Are there water crossings and is there any water available on trail?
Yes, there are water crossings on this route — they're typically shallow but can run higher during spring runoff in May and early June. There is no potable water on trail, so carry all your own; the nearest resupply is Meeteetse at the end of the route, which is a very small town with limited services.
Trail track
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