ATVing Bighorn Mt., Tensleep, Wy

                                                                                                                               6-24-2019

Bighorn Mountains, Tensleep, Wyoming


     We camped in Boulder Campground, NFS, right off of Hwy. 16, a very nice campground, nice long sites, picnic table, lantern hook and a grill table.  Pump water and the cleanest outhouses around. With our Golden age access pass the site was $8,50 per night. I used the Avenza app and downloaded the Motor Vehicle Use Map Bighorns National Forest Wyoming for the roads and trails for this area of the forest. This is a useful tool, it can show you all the numbers of trails and right where you are and track your motion. I use my smart phone, but the app works off satellite not phone service.

clear lake water

Larry, Janna, Mike Clark

15 miles. The first day were drove out of camp and rode a loop trail # 413, 412, 410

Near Battle Horse Camp

The 50 inch trail entrance/exit

39 miles-   Second day, were left early and headed north on #24, the main road, came to #360 which is a 50inch trail. We crossed several small bridges and creeks to rise to an elevation and Battle Park (a horse camp) After lunch we rode #66 another 50in trail to Lily Lake, very rocky and rough!! We have rode in most states and approx 20,000 miles, and I thought I’d seen everything, But coming up the trail was a hiker and her 3 goats were walking with her with packs on!! It was only 9 miles, in 1 1/2 hours! More rocks to bounce over, several creek crossings, all had hard bottoms.  Up to an elevation of 10,300 ft., quite cold, numerous huge snow drifts. Then we made it down to trail #402. Drove the 4 wheel drive road back to camp. What sights and a workout!!

Goats hiking with ladyGeri and Larry, Lily Lake

Lily Lake

many creeks to cross

snow drifts near the top

40 miles- Third Day, we drove up #27 a main road to see 4 campgrounds and West Tensleep lake. Back down past camp and over to Meadowlark Lake for our picnic lunch, another nice view, with picnic tables and outhouse close by. We drove to Sitting Bull Campground to check it out, a very nice place for large rigs.  We rode up #430 to East Tensleep Lake.  The trail ends at a creek, but find the path to the top of the boulders to a magnificent view of a clear blue lake.  We heard the west side of the Bigforn Mts are for fishing and the East side has more trail, which we noticed heading to Buffalo. We’d come back here again! The day before we were scouting the area and saw 13 moose in one afternoon near Burgess Junction.

Lunch at Meadowlark lake

forest riding

Snowball fight

Beautiful East Tensleep lake

INFORMATION>

LOCATION>   NEAREST CITY= Tensleep, Wy  DIRECTIONS=East of tensleep on Hwy 16

AREA >   TYPE OF LAND=-  forest, elevation, creek crossings   , OWNER=  Bighorn NFS QUALITY > Con=Cold in June    / Pro- Camping,many marked trails, variety of landscapes  /  Length of stay3-5  days/ Rating- 4 stars 

TERRAIN>  TRAILS, hills / forest. /elevation                                             TRAIL MAINTENCE -some  /  NEAR BY TRAILS Bighorn forest-

REGULATIONS> Permit required Wy.OHV sticker / Camping-on site width req.-some trails

FEE> Camping / Entry-no fee

KEY SERVICES> Camping / Gasoline / Diesel / First Aid /  Water /  Dump / Food=Tensleep

SIDE TRIPS> Lovell Wy. Pryor Mt Wild Horse Area 

CONTACTS> Bighorn National Forest Service