Lonesome Highway — Centennial Road to Tensleep Canyon via the Bighorn Basin Rim and Red Gulch Road
Jurassic tracks and painted badlands, no guardrails.
The Red Gulch Road cuts south from US-14 near Shell, Wyoming, dropping into a landscape that looks like someone spilled a paint bucket across the basin floor — red and orange mudstone badlands rolling out in every direction. The real prize is the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite, managed by BLM, where 167-million-year-old Jurassic tracks press into the earth right beside the two-track. From there the route follows the bench above the Bighorn River, with views west toward the Absaroka and north to the Wind Rivers, eventually looping back via the Shell Creek drainage. The surface is firm clay in dry conditions but turns to greasy, tire-sucking mud after any rain — this is classic Wyoming gumbo country.
High-clearance is mandatory; 4WD recommended whenever clouds are anywhere in the forecast. The route is roughly 35 miles of BLM two-track with no services, no water, and near-zero cell signal. Best run June through September — late spring keeps it muddy and winter closes access entirely. Fill your tank in Greybull or Shell before heading in. Dispersed camping is allowed on BLM land throughout. What you get: dinosaur tracks, silent badlands, and a Bighorn Basin sunset that costs nothing but a full tank.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 35 mi / 56.3 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5400 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD (4WD strongly recommended) |
| Nearest town | Greybull, WY |
| Land manager | BLM Cody Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite |
| 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, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner is fine here. The route is rated moderate on dirt and gravel with no extreme rock obstacles, but 4WD is strongly recommended because the badlands clay turns greasy and unpredictable when wet. A lifted rig isn't required, just don't show up in a Subaru Outback.
What's the trail like when it rains — can I still run it?
No. Red Gulch Road and the surrounding badlands clay become impassable when wet — it's the kind of mud that will bog a 4WD and clog your wheel wells instantly. Stick to the June–September window and check the forecast before you leave Greybull; afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer and the road can close without warning.
Do I need a permit or is there a fee to drive this route and visit the dinosaur tracksite?
No permit required and no fee to drive the route or visit the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite — it's BLM land managed out of the Cody Field Office. Dispersed camping is free. Don't mess with the tracks; disturbing them is a federal offense under ARPA.
What's the hardest section of this trail and what should I actually be ready for?
There's no single gnarly obstacle — the challenge is cumulative: washboarded two-track, soft sandy stretches, and badlands clay that changes character fast with moisture. The section dropping into Tensleep Canyon at the south end has some steeper, looser grades where momentum management matters. Stay aired down and don't rush it.
How far is it to the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there any cell service out there?
Greybull is your last reliable fuel stop before the north end of the route — top off there. There is zero cell service for the entire 35 miles, so download your maps offline before you leave town. Plan your fuel accordingly; the nearest gas at the south end is Shell or Ten Sleep, both small towns with limited hours.
Trail track
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