Medicine Lodge Creek Archaeological Trail
10,000 years of rock art in red canyon country
Medicine Lodge Creek cuts deep red sandstone canyons through Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin, revealing Native American rock art spanning 10,000 years of continuous use. This 28-mile loop through the Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site follows rough two-track roads past towering sandstone walls covered in petroglyphs and pictographs created by everyone from Paleo-Indian hunters to historic Plains tribes. The route crosses Medicine Lodge Creek multiple times and navigates tight canyon sections where flash floods have carved dramatic narrows through the red rock.
High-clearance 2WD can handle dry conditions, but 4WD becomes essential after rain when the clay-based soil turns into axle-deep gumbo. Multiple water crossings can become impassable during spring runoff or after thunderstorms. No permits required, though respect for the archaeological sites is mandatory — touching rock art is prohibited and heavily fined. Best visited April through October, with excellent primitive camping along the creek. This isn’t just a trail, it’s a journey through human history carved in stone.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4200 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Nearest town | Hyattville, Wyoming |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail without modifications?
Yes — minimum requirement is high-clearance 2WD, so a stock Tacoma, 4Runner, or similar rig handles it fine. You don't need lockers or a lift, but low-clearance vehicles like stock sedans or crossovers will struggle on the rutted dirt sections.
When does Medicine Lodge Creek Trail become impassable, and can you run it in early spring?
Best season is April through October. Early spring can mean soft, muddy two-track and swollen creek crossings from snowmelt — late April is safer than early April. Winter closes access entirely due to snow and wet clay surfaces that turn greasy and unrecoverable.
Do you need a permit to drive or camp here, and is there a fee?
No permit is required and there's no fee — this is BLM land with free dispersed camping. The Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site itself is managed by Wyoming State Parks at the trailhead end, so respect any posted site-specific rules around the rock art panels.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what makes it technical?
The creek crossings are the crux — Medicine Lodge Creek is crossed multiple times and depth varies significantly with season and recent rain. The crossings are rocky-bottomed and can reach axle depth in wet conditions; they're the reason a true low-clearance vehicle won't make it through clean.
There's zero cell service out here — how far is the nearest gas and should I carry water?
Hyattville is the nearest town but has extremely limited services — fuel up in Worland or Greybull before heading in, both roughly 30-40 miles out. Carry all your own drinking water; while Medicine Lodge Creek runs through the canyon, treat any water you pull from it before drinking.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.