Take a scenic road trip through northwest Wyoming on the Bighorn Mountain Loop. This route that is just under 300 miles can be driven spring, summer and fall. While you could speed through this road trip in a day, taking the time to savor museums, vista points, hiking, boating and wildlife viewing along the way makes for a memorable trip. Cody, Powell, Lovell and Greybull offer lodging and dining options along the way.
Begin This Road Trip in Cody, Wyoming
Located 52 miles east of Yellowstone National Park, the historic town of Cody is named for its founder, “Buffalo Bill” Cody, the well known Wild West showman. While in Cody, visit the world-class Buffalo Bill Historical Center for its outstanding Western fine art, Plains Indians artifacts and exhibits featuring Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley and Western firearms. Other attractions in Cody include the Old West Miniature Village and Museum, showcasing Wyoming’s history, and the Cody Firearms Museum.
Lodging in Cody includes boutiques hotels and inns, B&Bs, local hotels and motels, rental cabins and vacation homes. Or stay at a nearby dude ranch to experience the cowboy life. Cody restaurants offer American fare and barbecue items. Take in Wild West dinner theater at the Cody Cattle Company or Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue.
Yellowstone National Park and Buffalo Bill State Park
Heading west from Cody, it’s about an hour’s drive to the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park on U.S.-14. Hike along the way and take in the scenery. Yellowstone Lake is near the east entrance to the park, with fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing and camping available in the area. Stay or eat at the historic Lake Yellowstone Hotel and cabins.
Buffalo Bill State Park and Reservoir are nine miles west of Cody. Take in the scenic vistas of the Shoshone Canyon, Logan Mountain and the north and south forks of the Shoshone River. Outdoor adventures at this park include fishing for rainbow, brown, lake and cutthroat trout; hiking and hunting. The Buffalo Bill Reservoir is Wyoming’s premier wind surfing spot.
Powell, Lovell and Bighorn Canyon
Heading northeast on U.S.-14, Powell is 24 miles from Cody. Powell is located between the Bighorn Mountains and the Absaroka Range, with ranches dotting the landscape. The town, home to Northwest College, offers a variety of lodging (including hotels, B&Bs, cabins and vacation rentals) and dining. Outdoor activities include fishing, hiking, horseback riding, golfing, biking and hunting.
Continue on U.S.-14 to U.S.-14A to Lovell. Just outside of Lovell, the Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center has information about the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area for hiking, fishing, boating, water-skiing, boat tours and camping. Devils Canyon Overlook affords amazing views of Bighorn Lake and its colorful canyon walls. On Wyoming 37, take a side trip to the Pryor Mustang Center, showcasing more than 120 wild horses roaming free in the rolling hills.
Medicine Wheel, Greybull and Waterfalls
Just off U.S.-14A before Burgess Junction, Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark is located three miles down a dirt road. The 74-foot diameter ancient, limestone circle has 28 spokes and is sacred to local Native American tribes. Take a side trip on Sheep Mountain Road to Porcupine Falls (with a 200-foot drop) and Bucking Mule Falls (with a 600-foot drop).
At Burgess Junction, turn south onto U.S.-14 for a winding trip down the west slope of the Bighorn Mountains. The scenic drive affords views of meadows, wildlife and Shell Canyon as it descends from Granite Pass. Shell Falls’ 120-foot drop can be seen from an overlook. Greybull is known for some of the world’s best dinosaur fossil beds. Guest ranches and Western saloons offer lodging and dining in Greybull. Cody is 53 miles west of Greybull on U.S.-14.
The Bighorn Mountain Loop offers a scenic road trip in Wyoming, affording travelers the flavor of the Wild West. From Cody’s Buffalo Bill museum to Greybull’s dinosaur digs, and outdoor adventures of fishing, boating and hiking in Yellowstone National Park, Buffalo Bill State Park and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, this road trip offers an active vacation.
For more scenic road trips in the Northwest U.S., travel Washington' Cascade Loop, Oregon's Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, North Idaho's Lake Coeur d'Alene Scenic Byway, Montana’s Beartooth Highway and Alaska's Seward and Glenn Highways.
Susan Lynne Hamilton - Award-winning writer Susan Lynne Hamilton is the Topic Editor of Suite 101's Northwest U.S. travel section, showcasing its rich ...
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