Travel Destinations Tips & Guide!

The Big Horn Mountains near Buffalo Wyoming contain countless miles of roads that wander through pine forests, mountain meadows, and alpine canyons. A favorite way to travel to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks from the Black Hills is via the Big Horn Mountains’ Cloud Peak Skyway. Connecting Buffalo WY and Tensleep, this 64 mile paved road takes travelers through some of the most breathtaking scenery that is available in Wyoming. Climbing the eastern slope of the Big Horns outside of Buffalo Wyoming, Highway 16 tops out at Powder River Pass, then descends through Tensleep Canyon on its way to Tensleep and Worland. Bring along a jacket - it is not uncommon to see snow at the higher elevations, even in the middle of summer. The pass is nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, and the clear and clean mountain air allows for unspoiled views of the Big Horns.

While traveling on the Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway, you will witness great views of the Cloud Peak Wilderness (a favorite destination of campers and backpackers), the Big Horn National Forest, and Cloud Peak (the the Big Horns’ highest peak). The wide road has plenty of places for you to stop to take in the scenic views. Along the way, make sure you take the time to stop at the countless lakes and rivers to enjoy some of the best fishing in the west. A popular spot is the Tie Hack Reservoir, which stores water and provides electricity for the plains communities at the base of the Big Horns, including Buffalo Wyoming.

Several viewpoints provide expansive vistas into Cloud Peak Wilderness and the surrounding mountain scenery. Sharp-eyed wildlife observers will have no problem seeing mule deer, elk, and the occasional moose among the rivers and grassy meadows just a few miles outside of Buffalo WY. Providing brilliant splashes of color against the green of the pines, wildflowers bloom forth from spring through autumn. Not to be outdone by the towering peaks is Tensleep Canyon, which will impress you with its own spectacular limestone cliffs.

If you are looking for a horseback riding, hiking, or backpacking adventure, Cloud Peak Wilderness offers miles of pristine mountain wilderness. There are plenty of options for those who prefer a simple night around a campfire. The Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway is dotted with National Forest Service campgrounds that are equipped with fire rings, picnic tables, and restroom facilities. Whatever your preference, Buffalo WY makes a perfect base camp.

For those who prefer to travel on off the beaten path, the Cloud Peak Skyway connects to alternative routes on picturesque gravel roads such as Elgin Park and Pole Creek Road near Buffalo. These roads do not require four-wheel drive vehicles, but they allow one to exit the main road and re-enter the Skyway further up or down the route.

If you are interested in traveling on the Cloud Peak Skyway, travel to Buffalo. Interstates 90 and 25 converge in Buffalo WY, so it’s not difficult to reach the area from Montana, South Dakota, or Colorado.

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