Lonesome Highway — Centennial Road to Tensleep Canyon via the Bighorn National Forest Medicine Wheel Road
Sacred stone wheel at 10,000 feet. Drive it slow.
Forest Road 12 climbs north off US-14A from Burgess Junction into the high country of the Bighorn National Forest, gaining the plateau rim at nearly 10,000 feet before delivering you to the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark — a 75-foot-diameter stone wheel constructed by Indigenous peoples over 700 years ago and still an active ceremonial site today. The dirt road to the final trailhead area is well-graded gravel for the most part, but the last stretch to the parking area gets rutted and eroded in wet years. The views from this ridgeline are staggering — north into Montana, west across the Bighorn Basin to the Absaroka, south to Cloud Peak. This isn’t a run to grind through; it’s one to slow down on.
A standard high-clearance truck handles this fine in dry conditions; 4WD helps when afternoon thunderstorms roll through July and August. The Medicine Wheel itself requires a short half-mile walk from the parking area — the NPS and USFS restrict vehicle access to protect the site. No camping at the wheel itself, but dispersed camping is available lower on the forest roads. Best season is July through September after snowmelt; the road is gated in winter. Cell service is nonexistent on the plateau. Permits are not required for the drive, but respect the closure dates around sacred ceremonies.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 27 mi / 43.5 km |
| Duration | Half day to 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9642 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Nearest town | Lovell, WY |
| Land manager | Bighorn National Forest — Medicine Wheel Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark NPS Medicine Wheel Landmark Page |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 2WD truck handle this trail, or do I need 4WD?
A high-clearance 2WD is the listed minimum and will get the job done on this gravel and dirt road. 4WD isn't required in dry conditions, but if you roll in after rain, the surface can get slick and 4WD becomes useful fast.
When does FR-12 typically open for the season and when does it close?
July through September is the reliable window — snowpack at 9,600+ feet keeps the road closed well into summer most years. Check with the Medicine Wheel Ranger District before you go, because opening dates shift year to year depending on winter snowfall.
Is there a fee to drive the road or visit the Medicine Wheel?
No fee to drive FR-12 or access the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark. The site is co-managed by the USFS and tribal nations, and there are some access restrictions near the wheel itself — a half-mile walk on a gravel path is required to reach it.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
This trail is rated easy — there's no gnarly technical section. The main thing to respect is the exposed ridgeline: it's narrow in spots, wind can be brutal, and afternoon thunderstorms build fast at altitude. Drive it slow and keep an eye on the sky after noon.
Is there dispersed camping along the route and how far is the nearest gas?
Dispersed camping is allowed in Bighorn National Forest along this corridor — pull off on established sites and follow Leave No Trace. The nearest reliable fuel is in Lovell, WY, roughly 30 miles from the trailhead, so top off before you leave town — there's nothing on the mountain and zero cell service if things go sideways.
Trail track
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