Best Time to Visit the Bighorn Mountains
July 5, 2026 · 5 min read read · Wyo Stays Journal
The best time to visit the Bighorn Mountains is July through mid-September — high trails are snow-free, wildflowers peak, and both scenic byways are open. Come mid-September to early October for aspen gold, or December through March for skiing at Antelope Butte. Winter narrows access, but the range never truly closes.
The Bighorns are a year-round range with four different personalities. What to pack, which roads you can cross, and what you'll actually do change with the calendar. Here's how to time it.
Summer — Wildflowers, High Trails, and Both Byways Open
Mid-June through August is the range at its fullest. By July, snow has cleared from most trails above 9,000 feet, alpine meadows explode with lupine and paintbrush, and daytime highs sit in the 60s and 70s while the valley below bakes. This is the window for peak-bagging Cloud Peak (13,167 ft), fishing high lakes, and long days on the trail.
Summer is also the only time both scenic drives run wide open. The Bighorn Scenic Byway (US-14) climbs west out of Dayton through Shell Canyon toward Burgess Junction — drivable any season, but most rewarding when the meadows are green. The higher Medicine Wheel Passage (US-14A) is a summer-only route reaching over 9,400 feet past the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark. Bring layers regardless — nights at elevation drop into the 30s and 40s even in July, and afternoon thunderstorms build fast.
Fall — Aspen Gold, Cool Air, and Hunting Season
Mid-September through early October is the quiet stunner. Crowds thin out the day school starts, temperatures settle into ideal hiking range, and the aspens turn brilliant gold from about September 15 through the first week of October. Drive US-14 through Shell Canyon for the color, or park anywhere near Burgess Junction and walk into the timber.
Fall is also hunting season across the Bighorn National Forest — expect hunters on forest roads and wear blaze orange if you're hiking off-trail. This is the shoulder window worth planning around: warm afternoons, cold nights, and a real chance you'll have a trailhead to yourself. Snow can arrive early at elevation, so check road status before heading up.
Winter — Skiing, Snowmobiling, and Antelope Butte
December through March turns the Bighorns into a snow-sports range. Antelope Butte Mountain Resort, the community-run ski area off US-14, runs lift-served downhill and Nordic terrain on weekends and holidays through the season. Beyond the resort, the range holds hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile trails and open cross-country and snowshoe country.
Access tightens in winter. US-14 stays plowed and open year-round, but US-14A (Medicine Wheel Passage) closes with heavy snow, typically mid-November through late May. Winter driving here means carrying chains, watching Wyoming DOT reports, and building extra time into every crossing. The payoff is a wide, empty, white range most visitors never see.
Spring — The Shoulder Season to Respect
April and May are transition months — beautiful low, still buried high. Lower canyons green up and foothill wildflowers start, but high trails and US-14A stay under snow well into late spring. Runoff makes creek crossings tricky and some forest roads stay muddy or gated. Spring is fine for basing in the valley and hiking lower elevations — just don't count on high-country access until late June.
Basing your trip: Whatever season you pick, the eastern foothills near Sheridan and Dayton put you minutes from the US-14 byway entrance. Wyo Stays is a licensed, insured Wyoming vacation rental brokerage with homes and cabins built for exactly this kind of basecamp. Browse our entire cabins along the Bighorn Mountains Scenic Byway or a cozy Airbnb in Dayton at the mouth of the canyon.
Planning a wider Wyoming loop? See how far Sheridan is from Yellowstone and whether Sheridan, Wyoming is worth visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the roads over the Bighorn Mountains open and close? US-14 (Bighorn Scenic Byway) stays open year-round and is plowed through winter. US-14A (Medicine Wheel Passage) is a seasonal route that typically closes with heavy snow in mid-November and reopens around late May, depending on conditions. Always check Wyoming Department of Transportation road reports before crossing in shoulder season.
What is the best month to hike in the Bighorns? July and August are the prime hiking months. High-elevation trails above 9,000 feet often hold snow into late June, so mid-summer gives you dry trails, peak wildflowers, and long daylight. Early September is also excellent — thinner crowds and cooler temperatures — but bring layers for cold nights.
When do the Bighorn Mountains get fall colors? Aspens in the Bighorns usually turn gold from mid-September through the first week of October. Cottonwoods in the lower canyons hold color a little later. Drive US-14 through Shell Canyon or the byway toward Burgess Junction for the best foliage viewing.
Can you ski in the Bighorn Mountains? Yes. Antelope Butte Mountain Resort offers lift-served alpine and Nordic skiing and snowboarding on weekends and holidays through the winter season, typically December through March depending on snowpack. The range also has extensive snowmobiling, cross-country, and snowshoe terrain.
Where should I stay to explore the Bighorn Mountains? Sheridan and nearby Dayton, Wyoming make ideal basecamps on the eastern edge of the range, minutes from the US-14 byway entrance. From there you can day-trip into the mountains and return to a comfortable home base each night year-round.