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Take This Road Trip To The Most Beautiful Bighorn Mountain Towns In Wyoming

Explore the best small towns in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains through a scenic road trip.

Published Feb 4, 2022

Written by 

Kim Magaraci

Do you want to spend time in the mountains, but don't want to be far off from civilization? The Bighorns are calling your name! Wyoming's northern mountain range is home to plenty of small towns, so you can head out on a hike and be back in a comfortable hotel bed by the end of the night. Before you decide which town to make your base camp for your next adventure, take this quick road trip to see the best of them.

The Bighorn Mountains are Wyoming's hidden gem. While everyone flocks to the Tetons, those who know where to look will find beauty and charm in this gorgeous mountain range.

A scenic mountain landscape with rocky terrain, green grass, and trees under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Facebook / Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce

Follow our road trip to visit the best towns in the Bighorns! There's something for everyone to enjoy.

Map showing a route from Ten Sleep to Buffalo, passing through Shell, Ranchester, Dayton, Big Horn, and Sheridan.
Google Maps

Click HERE for an interactive map.

First, stop to see Shell Falls, at the foothills of the mountain range.

A scenic view of a river flowing through rocky cliffs, surrounded by lush greenery and clear blue water.
Flickr / JasePhotos

This impressive waterfall is a scenic spot to take a photo and start your day.

Next, head into the charming and historic town of Dayton.

Aerial view of a small town surrounded by green fields and mountains, with autumn foliage in the trees.
Facebook / Visit Sheridan, Wyoming

Dayton offers a mercantile, a saloon, and the Hans Kleiber Studio Museum, plus the friendliest people in the state!

Ranchester is next, and it's a great spot to enjoy a cup of coffee.

Aerial view of a small town surrounded by mountains and fields, with a river winding through the landscape.
Facebook / Visit Sheridan, Wyoming

The Innominate Coffeehouse and Bakery will wake you right up! Or, if you got a later start to your trip, stop in for lunch at the Wyoming Buckshot Saloon.

Moving along into Sheridan, you'll quickly see why this is called the best Western Town in the country.

A street scene featuring a vintage theater marquee, traffic lights, and blurred car movement in an urban setting.
Facebook / Visit Sheridan, Wyoming

Whether it's a quiet day or one where a festival has visitors filling the streets, you're sure to fall in love.

A lively street scene with classic cars on display, people mingling, and a bright blue sky with fluffy clouds.
Facebook / Visit Sheridan, Wyoming

Next up, a quick visit to Big Horn will show you scenery and art!

Aerial view of a small town surrounded by green fields and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
Facebook / Visit Sheridan, Wyoming

The town's Brinton Museum is a must-visit for anyone who loves Western culture and art.

Head down into Buffalo next. This town may seem familiar, as it was the setting of the TV show Longmire.

Snow-covered mountains rise in the background, with a valley and small town visible in the foreground under clear blue skies.
Facebook / Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce

In town, you'll find charming shops, a great pizza restaurant, a cafe, a saloon, and even a haunted hotel.

Finally, make your way back into the Bighorn Basin by driving through Ten Sleep Canyon.

A rustic wooden building with a "BEER" sign, surrounded by barrels, set against a backdrop of red rock formations.
Facebook / Ten Sleep Brewing Company

In Ten Sleep itself, you'll find the Ten Sleep Brewing Company. Stop and have a local brew to wrap up your sightseeing day!

What's your favorite Bighorn Mountain town? Personally, we're partial to Sheridan. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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