This Hike Takes You To A Place Wyoming's First Residents Left Behind

Here, 10,000 feet above the earth, you'll see a magnificent stone wheel that was built by Native Americans back when this land was their land. While the exact age of the Medicine Wheel is unknown, it's estimated to be at least 300 years, and potenitally 3,000 years old. No individual indgenous tribe has claimed it as their own, and it is an active sacred site for more than 80 native tribes.

Visitors should not touch the prayer offerings placed on the fence. If you happen to visit during a ceremony, stay back from the participants, quietly observe, and refrain from taking pictures. If a ceremony is taking place during your visit, please stay back from the participants and observe quietly.

From each stone spoke, one can note the alignment of stars during the summer solstice, or longest day of the year. The Medicine Wheel was constructed for the Solstice along with the religious and ceremonial purposes it holds today.

To learn more about visiting Bighorn National Forest and the Medicine Wheel, click here. Of you plan a visit, please be respectful and let the peaceful air of Medicine Mountain inspire you.