Posted in Wyoming Nature July 16, 2019 by Kim Magaraci

Everyone In Wyoming Should Take This Underappreciated Scenic Drive

There’s nothing quite like hitting the road for a scenic drive in Wyoming. The windshield views you’ll find across the state are awe-inspiring and truly memorable. One underrated road, the Cloud Peak Skyway, deserves to be on every Wyomingite’s bucket list.

Ten Sleep is one of Wyoming's tiny historic towns that feels frozen in time, and the journey to get there is one of the best adventures in the west.

The Cloud Peak Skyway, or US Route 16, is a 64-mile scenic byway that shows off some of the most breathtaking landscape within Big Horn National Forest.

This high elevation mountain road brings you from Buffalo through the southern section of the forest. It can be cold and snowy for much of the year, so if you're looking to avoid a slippery trek, make the drive in July or August.

Along your journey, you'll pass all sorts of landscape. The sprawling ranches blend with the rivers, reservoirs, and mountains on a journey to remember.

There are dozens of turnouts where you can pull over and marvel at the views. Be sure to bring your camera and some road trip snacks.

One benefit of traveling the Cloud Peak Skyway is that it offers the least grade going through the forest, so it's not a terrible route for RVs or trailers.

The Powder River Pass is the highest spot on the route, sitting at 9,666 feet above sea level.

Ten Sleep Canyon is another wonder you'll find as you make this drive. The colorful rock faces, hills, mountains, and cliffs will light up the road in front of you as you wind your way down towards Ten Sleep and Worland.

In the Canyon, you'll find the Leigh Creek Monument. It was erected in 1889 to honor Gilbert E. Leigh, who fell to his death while visiting the area on October 23rd, 1884.

Few experiences that can compare to traveling the Cloud Peak Skyway, and if you've never made this drive, put it on your calendar as soon as you can.

The experience takes about two hours from Buffalo to Worland — or vice versa. Give yourself plenty of time to stop at turnouts and marvel at the scenery. You can find a route map and more information online by clicking here.

For another beautiful Wyoming road, travel the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway between the Beartooth Highway and Cody.