South Bighorn Trailhead | Buffalo

The South Bighorn Trailhead provides access to hiking trails in the Bighorn Mountains near Buffalo, Wyoming. It serves as a starting point for routes into the Cloud Peak Wilderness.

Visual Characteristics

The trailhead area is characterized by a gravel parking lot adjacent to a dirt access road. The surrounding vegetation consists of mixed conifer forest, primarily lodgepole pine and Douglas fir, with undergrowth of various shrubs and grasses. Elevation at the trailhead is approximately 7,500 feet (2,286 meters).

Location & Access Logistics

The South Bighorn Trailhead is located 22 miles west of Buffalo, Wyoming, via U.S. Route 16 West. The turnoff for the trailhead is marked and is approximately 1.5 miles past the Forest Service boundary. The final 0.5 miles to the trailhead is a maintained gravel road. Parking is available in a designated gravel lot. No public transportation services this location.

Historical & Ecological Origin

This area is part of the Bighorn National Forest, established in 1897. The trails accessed from this trailhead are traditional routes used for recreation and historically for access to hunting and grazing lands within the Bighorn Mountains, a range formed by uplift and erosion over millions of years.

Key Highlights & Activities

Hiking is the primary activity. The trailhead provides access to the South Bighorn Trail, which leads into the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Trail users can access various connecting trails for longer backpacking trips or day hikes. Wildlife observation is possible.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The trailhead features a gravel parking area and an informational kiosk with trail maps. No restrooms, potable water, or food vendors are available at the trailhead. Cell phone signal is generally unreliable to non-existent.

Best Time to Visit

The best months for visiting are typically July through September, when snow has generally receded from the higher elevation trails. Mid-morning offers good lighting for photography of the surrounding mountain scenery. Access can be limited by snow from October through June.

Facts & Legends

The Bighorn Mountains are known for their diverse wildlife, including bighorn sheep, elk, and black bears. A specific geological feature of interest in the broader region is the presence of ancient glacial cirques and moraines, evidence of past ice ages.

Nearby Landmarks

• Cloud Peak Wilderness Boundary (0.1km North)
• Sheridan Creek Campground (3.5km Southwest)
• U.S. Forest Service Ranger Station - Buffalo (22km East)
• Lake DeSmet (25km Southeast)