Lonesome Highway — Centennial Road to Tensleep Canyon via Hazelton Road and Red Wall Country
Red Wall badlands. No traffic. No mercy.
The Red Wall country north of the Bighorn Mountains in Johnson County, Wyoming is the kind of place that shows up in outlaw history for a reason: it is genuinely difficult to reach and easy to get lost in. Hazelton Road (County Road 14 and USFS connectors) drops off the western edge of the Powder River Basin, crosses Hazelton Creek and its tributaries through eroded red-and-ochre badland breaks, and eventually climbs into the timber of the Bighorn National Forest before descending toward Tensleep Canyon on Highway 16. The creek crossings can be deceptively deep in early season, and the bentonite clay sections on the lower Powder River side become impassable when wet — not sticky-impassable, but buried-to-the-axles impassable. Mid Canyon waypoints are unmarked. Paper maps or downloaded Gaia tracks are mandatory.
This is a full-day minimum run of about 65 miles between pavement on each end. You need a capable 4WD with lockers, recovery gear, and a spare — the clay badlands section is no place to limp on a flat. Best window is June through October, strictly in dry weather. Fuel in Buffalo before you start; none until Tensleep at the west end. No permit required, and dispersed camping is available on the national forest portions. Cell service is zero for the majority of the route. This one rewards drivers who plan carefully and punishes those who wing it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 65 mi / 104.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8400 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Capable 4WD with lockers and recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Buffalo, WY |
| Land manager | Bighorn National Forest — Buffalo Ranger District / Johnson County |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Bighorn National Forest |
| 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 lifted 4Runner or stock Jeep Wrangler handle this trail, or do I actually need lockers?
Lockers are listed as minimum — this isn't a suggestion. The Red Wall section has loose clay, eroded shelf roads, and off-camber pitches that will high-center or spin out a locker-less rig when conditions are anything less than bone dry. A capable 4WD with decent ground clearance can make it in ideal conditions, but if you're on the fence about your build, bring a second vehicle.
What's the trail like after rain — is the clay as bad as people say?
Yes. Bighorn badlands clay turns into a skating rink the moment it gets wet, and it stays slick long after the rain stops. June can also bring late snowpack at the higher elevations near 8,400 ft. Stick to July through early October for the most reliable surface conditions.
Do I need a permit to run this route or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive Hazelton Road or camp dispersed within Bighorn National Forest. Standard dispersed camping rules apply — 14-day stay limit, 300 feet from water sources and roads. Johnson County BLM sections have no fee either. Confirm current fire restrictions with the Buffalo Ranger District before you go.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually be ready for?
The Red Wall badlands stretch is where rigs get into trouble — eroded two-track, loose shale, and exposed shelf road with no guardrails and significant drop-offs. There are also water crossings that vary by season and can be deeper than they look in early summer. Have a recovery plan: tow strap, hi-lift, and ideally a second vehicle, because you are not getting cell service to call for help.
How far is it between fuel stops, and is there anywhere to resupply on the 65-mile route?
There is zero resupply on route — no gas, no services, nothing between Centennial Road and Tensleep Canyon. Buffalo, WY is your last fuel before the start; Tensleep or Worland covers you on the far end. Tank up full and carry extra fuel if your rig drinks it — 65 miles of low-gear crawling burns more than you think.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
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