Lonesome Highway — Centennial Road to Tensleep Canyon via the Bighorn National Forest Hazelton to Paintrock Creek Road
Limestone narrows, creek crossings, zero crowds.
The Paintrock Creek drainage on the Bighorn National Forest’s west slope rarely shows up on any overland itinerary, which is exactly why it’s worth running. FR-17 and its connectors drop off the high plateau from near Hazelton Road and follow Paintrock Creek down through a series of narrows, limestone walls, and aspen-lined benches before spilling onto the Bighorn Basin floor near Hyattville. The creek crossings — three to five depending on season and which forks you take — are generally shallow but run fast in June and early July with snowmelt. The canyon walls close in around you on the middle stretch, and the road surface switches between rocky two-track, loose shale, and firm dirt with almost no warning.
This route demands 4WD with good clearance; a body-armor rig earns its keep on the tighter shale sections. Water crossings peak in June — wait until late July for more forgiving levels if your rig isn’t built for it. No services exist between Greybull and the trailhead; top off fuel in town and carry your own water since creek water requires treatment. Dispersed camping is available on National Forest land throughout the upper drainage. Best season is late July through September. Cell service is zero from the plateau edge to Hyattville. It’s an honest Wyoming canyon run with almost no crowds and genuine reward.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8600 ft |
| Best season | Late July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Hyattville, WY |
| Land manager | Bighorn National Forest — Paintrock Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Bighorn National Forest Official Site |
| 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 does it need to be lifted?
A stock 4WD high-clearance truck can make it, but the rock sections and creek crossings reward at least 2-3 inches of lift and all-terrain tires. Skid plates are strongly advised — the limestone is unforgiving on oil pans.
When does the trail typically open and is snow a factor?
Late July through September is your window. Snowpack on the upper Bighorn west face lingers into early July most years, and the creek crossings run high and fast with melt before that. Don't push it before mid-July without checking current conditions with the Paintrock Ranger District.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp along it?
No permit required for the trail itself or dispersed camping within Bighorn National Forest. Standard dispersed rules apply — 300 feet from water, 14-day stay limit, pack out everything. No fee to enter.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The limestone narrows through Paint Rock Creek canyon are the crux — tight two-track with shelf road exposure, loose rock, and multiple creek crossings that can stack up quickly after rain. A single vehicle stuck in the narrows blocks everyone; there's minimal room to recover or pass.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead and is there any cell service on the route?
Hyattville is the closest town but has no gas station — fuel up in Worland (roughly 40 miles southwest) or Greybull before you head out. Cell service is zero for the entire 28 miles; a satellite communicator isn't optional on a route this remote.
Trail track
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