Road	Length	High point
Battle Pass Scenic Byway (WY-70) A 57-mile paved route along WY-70 through the rarely visited Sierra Madre Mountains in Medicine Bow National Forest, running from Encampment to Baggs. The road crests Battle Pass at 9,955 ft on the Continental Divide, with tight curves through granite peaks and glacial lakes on the descent toward Savery. Light traffic, wide shoulders, and nearly zero crowds make this the most underappreciated high-altitude run in Wyoming.	57 mi	—
Beartooth Lake ViewpointStop An alpine lake sitting at 9,000 ft in Shoshone National Forest on the Wyoming side of US-212. A short roadside pull-out offers views of the lake nestled between rugged mountain slopes — one of the most accessible and photogenic stops on the Wyoming portion of the Beartooth Highway before the route climbs toward the Montana state line.	—	—
Bighorn Scenic Byway — Shell Canyon (US-14) A 57-mile National Scenic Byway along US-14 between Shell and Dayton, crossing the Bighorn National Forest via Granite Pass (9,033 ft). The western approach ascends through Shell Canyon's sheer limestone and dolomite walls past the 120-foot plunge of Shell Falls, gaining 4,600 ft in 18 miles. Meets the Medicine Wheel Passage (US-14A) at Burgess Junction on the summit plateau.	184 mi	—
Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway (US-14/16/20) A 27-mile National Forest Scenic Byway along US-14/16/20 through Wapiti Valley and Shoshone National Forest, connecting Cody to Yellowstone's East Entrance. Theodore Roosevelt called it 'the most scenic 50 miles in the world.' The route follows the North Fork of the Shoshone River through dramatic volcanic rock formations, past the historic Wapiti Ranger Station and classic dude ranches, with abundant wildlife sightings.	184 mi	—
Burgess Junction Visitor CenterStop The crossroads hub of the Bighorn Mountains where US-14 and US-14A meet at over 8,000 ft, in Bighorn National Forest. The Forest Service visitor center offers exhibits on Bighorn wildlife and history, interpretive trails with sweeping mountain views, restrooms, and a small store. The adjacent Bear Lodge Resort provides dining and lodging. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day.	—	—
Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY-296) N of Cody to the Beartooth Highway junction, ~46–47 mi. Climbs to Dead Indian Pass (8,000+ ft) with seven dramatic switchbacks, then flowing curves through the Clarks Fork Valley. Sunlight Bridge is Wyoming's highest at 285 ft. Pairs perfectly with Beartooth for a 160-mi Cody loop.	46 mi	—
Cloud Peak Skyway (US-16) A 47-mile National Scenic Byway along US-16, the southernmost paved crossing of the Bighorn National Forest, running between Buffalo and Ten Sleep. The road crests Powder River Pass at 9,666 ft with views of Cloud Peak (13,167 ft), then descends through the dramatic limestone walls of Ten Sleep Canyon. One of the most rider-friendly Bighorn crossings — flowing curves, minimal truck traffic, and the narrow canyon slot near Ten Sleep.	332 mi	—
Devils Tower National MonumentStop The first national monument in the United States, proclaimed by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. A steep- sided igneous monolith in northeast Wyoming, Devils Tower rises 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River and is famous for the columnar jointing that gives its sides their vertical fluting. Reached via WY-24, it is a classic detour from the Sturgis rally and a sacred site to more than 20 tribes.	—	—
Hoback Canyon (US-189/191) A roughly 30-mile river-canyon run along US-189/191 south of Hoback Junction through Bridger-Teton National Forest, following the Hoback River toward Bondurant and on to Pinedale. The road snakes through the narrow canyon past Battle Mountain, with the river weaving alongside the pavement, moose and bighorn sheep common in the willows, and nearly zero tourist traffic compared to the Jackson Hole corridor.	203 mi	—
Libby Flats Observation SiteStop The highest point on Wyoming Highway 130 (Snowy Range Scenic Byway) at 10,665 ft in Medicine Bow National Forest. A short walk from the parking area reaches the stone observation tower, which offers 360-degree views spanning Rocky Mountain National Park to the south, Medicine Bow Peak and Sierra Madre to the west, and the Laramie Mountains to the east. Open May through October.	—	—
Medicine Wheel National Historic LandmarkStop A 74-foot diameter stone wheel with 28 spokes atop Medicine Mountain at 9,642 ft in the Bighorn National Forest, near US-14A. Estimated to be over 800 years old, the wheel is one of the best-preserved Native American ceremonial sites in North America and a National Historic Landmark. Access requires a 1.5-mile hike from the parking area on Forest Road 12.	—	—
Medicine Wheel Passage (US-14A) A 27-mile designated National Scenic Byway along US-14A, the northernmost route across the Bighorn National Forest. The road climbs a steep 10% grade from Lovell on the Big Horn Basin floor to Burgess Junction at over 8,000 ft, with sustained switchbacks, truck turnoffs, and panoramic views of the Absaroka Mountains. Named for the 800-year-old Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark near the summit.	184 mi	—
Oxbow Bend TurnoutStop One of the most photographed viewpoints in Grand Teton National Park, located along US-89/191/26 between Jackson Lake Junction and Moran Junction. A crescent-shaped bend of the Snake River reflects Mount Moran (12,605 ft) on calm mornings, creating a mirror image of the Teton Range. The turnout is accessible and wheelchair-accessible; wildlife including moose, pelicans, and Great Blue Herons are commonly spotted.	—	—
Pilot & Index Peaks OverlookStop A large, interpretive roadside pullout on US-212 in Park County, Wyoming, offering panoramic views of Pilot Peak (11,699 ft) and Index Peak (10,709 ft) — two iconic Absaroka spires that guided early explorers and fur trappers through the region. The overlook also sweeps across the Clark's Fork River Valley and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Restrooms on site.	—	—
Snowy Range Scenic Byway (WY-130) Laramie to Saratoga, 29 mi designated byway (~80 mi total). Second-highest mountain pass in Wyoming (10,847 ft) through the Snowy Range. Nation's second-designated National Scenic Byway. 12-mile high section closes mid-November to ~Memorial Day.	98 mi	—
Teton Pass (WY-22) A 17-mile state highway (WY-22) climbing from Jackson through Wilson to Teton Pass summit at 8,431 ft before descending into Teton Valley, Idaho. One of the steepest paved highway grades in the continental US — up to 10% — with tight switchbacks and pull-outs offering stunning Jackson Hole valley views. A classic out-and-back challenge for riders based in Jackson.	18 mi	—
Togwotee Pass — Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway (US-26/287) The Dubois-to-Moran leg of the Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway, following US-26/287 over Togwotee Pass at 9,658 ft on the Continental Divide. The 55-mile run through Bridger-Teton National Forest offers continuous mountain vistas, Breccia Cliffs, wildlife corridors, and sweeping views of the Grand Teton from the pass summit — all on a lightly traveled two-lane with gentle sweepers.	295 mi	—
Top of the World StoreStop A beloved log-cabin general store at 9,400 ft on the Wyoming side of the Beartooth Highway (US-212), officially addressed in Cody, WY. Sells gas, groceries, fishing licenses, and snacks — the de-facto mid-pass refuel stop and social hub for riders crossing Beartooth. The store's elevation and stark alpine surroundings have made it a pilgrimage point for motorcyclists since Charles Kuralt called this 'the most beautiful drive in America.'	—	—
Top of the World StoreStop The lone outpost at 9,396 ft on the Beartooth Highway — the only gas, snacks, and souvenirs between Red Lodge and Cooke City, with a small four-room motel. Seasonal, like the highway itself.	—	—

By Switchback · Updated 2026-07-08

Best season

Late May–mid-October

Helmet law

Required under 18 only

Lane splitting

Prohibited

Signature terrain

High alpine passes, deep canyons

Wyoming hands you more vertical change per mile than almost any other state in the lower 48, and the roads prove it. In a single day out of Cody you can climb through seven switchbacks on Chief Joseph Scenic Byway to Dead Indian Pass, roll across the wind-scoured plateau of US-212 at nearly 11,000 feet, and drop back into the Big Horn Basin before dinner. In the southeast corner, the Snowy Range Scenic Byway crosses the second-highest pass in the state through a landscape most out-of-state riders never find. The Bighorn Mountains offer three distinct paved crossings — each with its own character, gradient, and canyon geology. The tradeoffs are real: gas stations can be 80 miles apart, afternoon thunderstorms appear with little warning, wildlife steps onto pavement without ceremony, and several of the best high-altitude routes are closed roughly half the year by snow. Wyoming rewards riders who plan ahead and punishes those who don't.

Wyoming has five distinct mountain ranges crossed by paved roads, and the routes on this page sample most of them. Choosing among them comes down to what kind of riding day you're after and where you're based.

Thinking by Region

Northwest Wyoming — the Cody hub is the highest-concentration area for serious riding. Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY-296) and the Beartooth Highway (US-212) pair into a natural loop of roughly 160 miles that covers switchbacks, a plateau run above treeline, and views into the Clark's Fork Canyon. The Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway connects Cody to Yellowstone's East Entrance through Wapiti Valley — lower elevation, more wildlife, and a good warm-up or wind-down leg.

The Bighorns offer three paved crossings with meaningfully different characters. US-14A (Medicine Wheel Passage) is the most technically demanding — a 10% sustained grade with blind corners and runaway truck ramps. Budget extra time on the descent if you're on a loaded tourer. US-14 through Shell Canyon trades technical challenge for dramatic geology: 4,600 feet of climbing through sheer limestone walls. US-16 (Cloud Peak Skyway) is the most approachable of the three, with flowing curves and the slot-canyon approach near Ten Sleep.

Southeast Wyoming is where most visiting riders don't bother to look. The Snowy Range Scenic Byway (WY-130) crests at 10,847 feet — the second-highest paved pass in the state — through a landscape of granite, alpine lakes, and open tundra. The Battle Pass Scenic Byway (WY-70) in the Sierra Madre gets almost no traffic and rewards riders willing to push south from Encampment.

Practical Planning

Fuel: Gas can be 70–90 miles apart on several of these routes. The Top of the World Store on US-212 is the only fuel between Red Lodge and Cooke City — confirm it's open before you cross.
Weather: Afternoon thunderstorms build quickly over the ranges in July and August. Start high-elevation passes in the morning. Carry rain gear regardless of the forecast.
Pass closures: The Beartooth opens near Memorial Day and closes mid-October. The high section of WY-130 follows a similar seasonal pattern. Check WYDOT road conditions before any mountain ride.
Wildlife: Dawn and dusk bring the highest risk of animal crossings — elk, mule deer, moose, and bighorn sheep appear on all these routes. Bison are a real hazard near Yellowstone approaches.
ADV riders: The Wyoming BDR covers ~950 miles of off-pavement terrain across five ranges; mid-July through mid-September is the only practical window.

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// Frequently asked

Wyoming requires helmets only for riders and passengers under 18 years of age; adults are not legally required to wear one. Any required helmet must meet DOT or ANSI standards and be securely fastened. Regardless of the law, helmets provide meaningful protection on mountain roads where gravel, wildlife, and weather create unpredictable hazards.

No. Wyoming Statute 31-5-115 explicitly prohibits lane splitting and lane filtering. Motorcycles may not be ridden between lanes of traffic or between adjacent rows of vehicles.

The Beartooth Highway (US-212) generally opens around the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, though heavy snow years can push the opening into early June. It typically closes in mid-October — historically between October 5 and October 15 — when snowpack and low traffic make plowing impractical. Always verify current status with WYDOT before riding.

The 12-mile high-elevation section of WY-130 closes from mid-November through approximately Memorial Day each year. Lower-elevation portions of the route may be accessible earlier and later. Check Wyoming Department of Transportation road conditions before planning your ride.

Wildlife crossings — including elk, mule deer, bison near Yellowstone, moose in riparian corridors, and bighorn sheep on the Bighorn passes — are a consistent hazard, especially at dawn and dusk. Afternoon thunderstorms can move in quickly at elevation and drop hail or produce standing water on exposed passes. Sand and gravel washed across the road after rain is common on tight canyon descents. The US-14A Medicine Wheel Passage has a sustained 10% grade with blind corners; brake heat management on that descent is a real concern on loaded touring bikes. Fuel planning matters statewide — map your gas stops before you leave.

The WYBDR is a roughly 950-mile off-pavement route from Baggs on the Colorado border to a remote Wyoming-Montana border crossing, divided into eight sections. It crosses five mountain ranges — the Sierra Madre, Medicine Bow, Wind River, and Bighorns among them — and reaches elevations above 11,000 feet on optional summit routes. A dual-sport or adventure motorcycle is required; it is not suitable for street-only bikes or inexperienced off-road riders. The BDR organization recommends mid-July through mid-September as the viable riding window.

//Sources & references

Wyoming DOT — Motorcycle Safety Laws ↗Wyoming Helmet Laws: What You Need to Know — The Advocates ↗Beartooth Highway — When Does It Open? Complete Timing Guide — The Yodeler Motel ↗Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route (WYBDR) — ridebdr.com ↗Wyoming Motorcycle Rides — REVER ↗