Mojave Road — Afton Canyon to Piute Spring via Soda Lake and Government Holes (West-to-East Full Run)
Absarokas, grizzlies, and Togwotee in your mirror.
The Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route northern segment runs from Togwotee Pass west of Dubois through Shoshone National Forest and the Absaroka Range before descending into the Bighorn Basin toward Cody. The climb up and over Togwotee Pass on FR-515 puts you in genuine alpine terrain — open meadows, lodgepole forest, and views of the Teton Range behind you and the Absarokas ahead. The route threads through the South Fork Shoshone River drainage, where grizzly sign is real and the road is exactly as rough as it looks on the map. Wapiti Valley is your mid-route checkpoint, with a handful of lodges and a ranger station before the final push into Cody.
This is a route for properly built rigs — a stock 4WD with decent clearance will make it, but the FR sections west of Wapiti get muddy and rutted after rain, and downed trees post-storm are common. Best window is July through September; Togwotee sees snow well into June. Carry bear spray — this isn’t optional in grizzly country. Dispersed camping throughout Shoshone National Forest. Fuel in Dubois and Cody; nothing in between. A MVUM for Shoshone NF is worth printing before you leave cell range.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic, Wildlife |
| Length (miles) | 118 mi / 190 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9658 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Cody, WY |
| Land manager | Shoshone National Forest, Washakie Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Shoshone National Forest — USFS Wyoming BDR official route page |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Tacoma handle this trail without a lift?
A stock 4Runner or Tacoma with factory skid plates will get through, but you'll want real 4WD and high clearance — not AWD crossover clearance. Rocky sections in the Absarokas and soft spots after rain will punish anything less.
When does this route typically open and close for the season?
July through September is the reliable window. Snow can close Togwotee Pass sections well into June and return by October — sometimes earlier at elevation. Check with the Washakie Ranger District before committing to anything outside that window.
Do I need a permit to run this route or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the route. Dispersed camping in Shoshone National Forest is allowed under standard USFS rules — 14-day limit, 300 feet from water and trails, pack it out. No fees for dispersed sites.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The climb through the Absaroka Range throws the worst at you — loose rock, steep grades, and narrow shelf road with exposure. After rain, clay-heavy sections turn slick fast. It's not a trail that punishes slow, careful driving; it punishes overconfidence.
How far is it between fuel stops, and is there any cell service on the route?
Plan for zero cell service for most of the 118 miles — this is genuine backcountry. Fuel up in Jackson or Dubois before you start; Cody is your exit point on the east end. Carry a satellite communicator — a breakdown out here without one is a serious problem.
Trail track
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