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Southern
Bighorns
Rising steeply from the Great Plains, the Bighorn Mountains gain 4,000 feet of elevation in 15 miles giving spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. US Highway 14 in the North and US Highway 16 in the South twist and turn through mixed spruce and pine forests and along scenic vistas. Find unlimited, easy-to-access recreation in the pristine Bighorn Mountains; hike, bike, camp, boat, rock climb or photograph the wildlife and scenery in these golden hills . Or step farther back in time with the complex geology and history. The Bighorn Mountains are a visitor’s paradise.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL
The Cloud Peak Skyway (US 16):
Connects the city of Buffalo and the town of Tensleep, crosses the southern Bighorn National Forest and offers breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks along its 45 mile length.
Cloud Peak:
This is the highest peak in the Bighorn Mountains standing at 13,167 feet. The Cloud Peak Skyway is the only route that provides of view of the mountain.
History:
There is a lot of history surrounding this part of the national forest, including two forts and an archaeological site. (Fort McKinney, Fort Phil Kearny and Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site)
1.1
MILLION ACRES OFNATIONAL FOREST
39
IMPROVED LODGES & CAMPGROUNDS
1,500
MILES OF HIKING TRAILS
13,189
FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL(CLOUD PEAK)
THE BIGHORNS
US Highway 14 and 14A allow access to the Northern part of the Bighorns while US Highway 16 allows access across the Southern part.
There are no roads in the Cloud Peak Wilderness. All access is restricted to horses or your own feet.
Southern Bighorns
Southeast Bighorns
On the eastern edge of the southern Bighorn Mountains just 20 miles west of Buffalo, WY, on Highway 16, five pine-filled campgrounds provide over sixty sites for the recreating public. South Fork Campground, Circle Park Campground, Crazy Woman Campground and Middle Fork Campground lay alongside crystal clear, cold trout brooks. These campgrounds are just a short jaunt away from the Cloud Peak Wilderness, which is full of wonderful day hikes and Tie Hack Reservoir with scenic views and fishing. Lost Cabin Campground, near the mountain pass, provides easy highway access and pull-through spurs in a camp noted for its friendly atmosphere. Two nearby lodges provide restaurant dining, showers and convenience items.
Southeast Bighorns
On the west end of the WY Highway 16, Bull Creek Campground and Lakeview Campground provide lakeside camping just off the SW Bighorn Mountains highway, while more remote West Tensleep Lake Campground is a canoer's ideal. Sitting Bull Campground, Deer Park Campground and Island Park Campground are stream-side campgrounds with plenty of fishing, bird watching and wildlife attractions to make the perfect vacation.
While most of the campgrounds in the Bighorn Mountains are located 7000 feet or higher, Leigh Creek Campground and Tensleep Creek Campground sit at 5400 feet on the fresh and clear Tensleep Creek. Between these two camps is a fish hatchery which is open to the public daily. Two lodges and nearby Ten Sleep, WY provide showers, fishing licenses, restaurant dining and convenience items.
Cloud Peak Scenic Byway:
The Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway is the southern-most route across the Bighorn National Forest in the Big Horn Mountains. The designated 47-mile stretch of the Scenic Byway, or U.S. 16, shares its boundaries with the National Forest. The route can be reached via Ten Sleep from the west or Buffalo from the east.
The road is a paved two-lane highway that crests at the 9,666-foot Powder River Pass. Mountain weather can be extreme and snow can fall in any month at these elevations but it rarely affects travel in the summer and early fall. Allow one hour minimum driving time.
CLIMATE
TEMPERATURES
Spring temperatures range from 60°-70° F for the highs and 30°-45° F for the lows. Summer highs are in the 70°-80° F range with the lows reaching into the 40° F range.
RAINFALL
Most rain comes in May and June but come prepared for showers as they can happen all summer long.
SNOWFALL
Snow should be out of the mountains by early to mid May and shouldn't come around again until late September.