Bighorn Mountains
Mountains Mountain range in Wyoming with alpine recreation
In northern Wyoming, the Bighorn Mountains rise with alpine lakes, forested trails and high ridges inside Bighorn National Forest; visitors come for hiking, fly-fishing, camping and wildlife sightings of elk and bighorn sheep.
The Bighorn Mountains are an isolated mountain range rising from the surrounding basins in north-central Wyoming and extending into southern Montana. The range includes rugged alpine peaks, deep canyons, and high-elevation plateaus and is dominated by its highest point, Cloud Peak at 13,167 feet (4,011 meters).
Recreational resources include extensive trail networks, backcountry wilderness areas, and developed campgrounds mostly within the Bighorn National Forest. The range also contains culturally important sites such as the Medicine Wheel, which is listed as a National Historic Landmark.
Geographically the Bighorns form a north-south-oriented uplift between the Powder River Basin to the east and the Bighorn Basin to the west, with nearest regional cities such as Sheridan, Wyoming serving as common gateways for visitors.
- Outdoor recreation: The range contains designated wilderness and national forest lands that support hiking, backcountry camping, fishing, and winter sports.
- Access routes: Several paved highways and mountain passes cross or skirt the range, providing scenic driving routes and multiple trailheads for access.
What to See #
- Cloud Peak: Cloud Peak is the highest summit in the range at 13,167 feet (4,011 meters), forming the core of alpine terrain and glacial cirques.
- Medicine Wheel: The Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark is a stone ceremonial complex on the Bighorn Plateau and is managed as a cultural site within the national forest.
How to Get to Bighorn Mountains #
The Bighorn Mountains are accessible from towns such as Sheridan and Buffalo, Wyoming. Highways and forest roads enter the range; for specific trailheads and wilderness permits consult the Bighorn National Forest office.
Tips for Visiting Bighorn Mountains #
- If heading for Cloud Peak, check backcountry registration and weather with local ranger districts and be prepared for alpine conditions.
- Use early starts for ridge routes to avoid afternoon thunderstorms in summer.
- Lower-elevation drives offer wildflower displays in June and July; bring a topographic map for backcountry routes.
Best Time to Visit Bighorn Mountains #
Summer months are best for alpine access; spring brings wildflowers and lingering snow, while autumn shortens weather windows.
Weather & Climate near Bighorn Mountains #
Bighorn Mountains's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -15°C to 19°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -4°C and lows of -15°C. Light rainfall.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -14°C. The driest month with just 28 mm.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).
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April
April is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -4°C. The wettest month with 64 mm of rain.
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June
June is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm).
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September
September is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).
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November
November is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).
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December
December is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -13°C. Light rainfall.
