Attractions and Places To See in the Bighorn Mountains - Top 8

The Bighorn Mountains offer a wide range of outdoor activities. You can enjoy extensive hiking, cycling, fishing in abundant lakes and streams, camping, wildlife watching, and off-road vehicle (ORV) riding. During winter, popular activities include downhill and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, fat biking, and snowshoeing at locations like Antelope Butte Ski Area and Meadowlark Ski Lodge. For hiking, explore options like the easy hikes in the Bighorn Mountains or more general hiking routes.

Yes, the Bighorn Mountains are home to several beautiful waterfalls. You can visit Shell Falls, a powerful waterfall along the Bighorn Scenic Byway. Other notable falls include Bucking Mule Falls within the Cloud Peak Wilderness, Porcupine Falls which is accessible via a short hike and features a swimming hole, and Paradise Falls (Beaver Creek Falls) with its series of pools and cascades.

The Bighorn Mountains are rich in history. A significant cultural site is the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark, an ancient stone arrangement still used in Indigenous ceremonies. You can also visit Fort Phil Kearny, a site of historical conflict, or the James T. Saban Lookout, an old fire lookout offering scenic views and a glimpse into early forest management. Other sites include the historic mining town of Dead Swede, Apple Jack Ranch with its tipi rings, and Red Canyon Ranch, featuring a historic stage station.

The Bighorn Mountains are home to diverse wildlife, including mule deer, elk, moose, black bears, and mountain lions. The Misty Moon Trail, starting at West Tensleep Lake, is known for opportunities to spot moose. The Cloud Peak Wilderness and Tongue River Canyon also offer excellent chances for wildlife observation.

Absolutely. The Bighorn Mountains offer several family-friendly options. Sibley Lake is a popular destination for fishing, hiking, and camping, with an easy 2.5-mile trail circling it. Many of the scenic drives, like the Bighorn Scenic Byway, offer accessible viewpoints. Exploring sites like Shell Falls or the easier sections of the Cloud Peak Wilderness can also be enjoyable for families.

For breathtaking views, consider the Bighorn Scenic Byway (US-14), a 58-mile stretch passing Shell Falls and through canyons. The Cloud Peak Byway (US-16), also known as "The Sweet 16," traverses Ten Sleep Canyon and crosses Powder River Pass, offering views of Cloud Peak. The Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway (US-14A) leads to the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark and ascends through alpine meadows.

For those seeking a challenge, the Bighorn Mountains offer several demanding climbs. The Granite Pass Climb is an epic, high-altitude journey with dramatic scenery, gaining nearly 5000ft. Another significant ascent is the Powder River Pass Climb West, an exceptionally long journey across the mountains with over 5000ft of climbing. Both require preparation and checking road status due to seasonal closures.

Yes, the Bighorn Mountains feature several unique geological formations. Steamboat Point is a distinctive landmark resembling a ship's bow. The region also boasts extensive cave and karst systems due to its limestone formations, including the Tongue River Cave. Additionally, the Natural Trap Cave on the west slope is significant for containing numerous remains of prehistoric mammals.

The Cloud Peak Wilderness is a vast, 189,000-acre centerpiece of the Bighorns. It's renowned for its untouched scenery, abundant wildlife, and extensive hiking trails. It is home to Cloud Peak, the highest point in the Bighorns at 13,167 feet, offering a truly wild and remote outdoor experience for those seeking solitude and rugged natural beauty.

Yes, camping is a popular activity throughout the Bighorn Mountains. Destinations like Sibley Lake offer designated camping areas. The Cloud Peak Wilderness also provides opportunities for backcountry camping, allowing visitors to immerse themselves fully in the natural environment. Always check local regulations and permit requirements before setting up camp.

The James T. Saban Lookout, formerly known as High Park Lookout, is a historical viewpoint in the Bighorn National Forest. In the 1920s and 1930s, these towers were crucial for early fire detection. While modern technology now handles most fire monitoring, these lookouts are still used during periods of very high fire danger and offer visitors scenic views and a connection to the region's past.

Beyond the impressive waterfalls, the Bighorn Mountains are characterized by their rugged beauty and varied landscapes. You can explore deep canyons like Shell Canyon and Tongue River Canyon, vast wildflower meadows that create vibrant displays of color, and alpine lakes such as Sibley Lake. The region also features high mountain passes like Granite Pass and Powder River Pass, offering dramatic scenery.