Lonesome Highway — Sunlight Basin Road to Dead Indian Summit via Clarks Fork Absaroka
Wyoming's deepest canyon on a forgotten back road.
Chief Joseph Scenic Byway gets the brochure treatment, but the dirt connectors through Sunlight Basin are where the real story lives. The route starts near Cody, climbs through sagebrush foothills, and drops into Sunlight Creek canyon — home to the highest bridge in Wyoming at 288 feet above the gorge floor. From there, a network of Forest Service two-tracks spurs north toward Dead Indian Summit at 8,048 feet, crossing open ridgelines with unbroken views into the Absaroka Range and down toward the Clarks Fork canyon, one of the deepest gorges in North America outside Alaska. The road to Sunlight Basin is rough dirt and gravel, increasingly loose and shelf-like as you gain elevation.
A capable stock 4WD handles the main basin roads in dry conditions; the high ridge spurs above 7,500 feet benefit from a locking rear diff and solid tires. Snow can appear any month above 7,000 feet — July through September is the reliable window. This is Shoshone National Forest land; dispersed camping is allowed in most areas, and no permit is required for the roads themselves. Cody is your last reliable fuel and services. Cell service vanishes in the basin. Black bears and grizzlies are active here — camp clean and carry bear spray. The Clarks Fork gorge views alone make this one of the most underrated overland runs in the Northern Rockies.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 54 mi / 86.9 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8048 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Cody, Wyoming |
| Land manager | Shoshone National Forest — Clarks Fork Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Shoshone National Forest |
| 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 modifications?
Yes — a stock 4WD vehicle with decent clearance (8+ inches) can run this route. Lifted rigs will be more comfortable on the rougher gravel sections, but nothing here requires lockers or serious armor.
When does Sunlight Basin Road typically open and close for the season?
July through September is the reliable window. Snow can close the upper sections near Dead Indian Summit well into June and return early in October — call the Clarks Fork Ranger District before going if you're pushing either end of the season.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on this route?
No permit required to drive the route. Dispersed camping in Shoshone National Forest follows standard National Forest rules — 14-day stay limit, 300 feet from water, no fee.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The stretch through Sunlight Basin above the Clarks Fork canyon is the gnarliest — narrow shelf road with steep drop-offs and no guardrails. It's not technically difficult, but it demands full attention; not the place to be distracted or meeting oncoming traffic at speed.
Is there any place to get gas or water between Cody and Cooke City on this route?
No gas, no services — zero. Fill up in Cody before you leave and plan your fuel for the full 54 miles plus your buffer. Water crossings exist on the route, but treat any water you collect; there are no developed water sources along the corridor.
Trail track
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