Big Horn: Dinosaur Tracks and Wild Horses

In Big Horn, striking evidence of Earth’s history meets vibrant nature and culture. Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite brings the region’s dinosaur and paleontology attractions to life; at Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range, you can observe free-roaming horses from a safe distance. Museums in Greybull, Bighorn Canyon, and several scenic routes add to the many ways to shape your stay.

Dinosaur Tracks and Wild Horses

Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite is Wyoming’s largest dinosaur tracksite and one of the few sites in the world dating to the Middle Jurassic period. It dates back approximately 160 to 180 million years. A boardwalk and interpretive signs accompany your visit; trails, benches, and picnic tables are also available. The access road is paved, and the gravel parking lot has space for up to 15 cars and three buses. Here, you can view the tracks and learn about their context, without reducing the site to its scientific significance alone.

Another natural attraction awaits in the northern part of Big Horn County: Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range covers this part of the county, where you can observe free-roaming horses from a safe distance. The Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center is east of Lovell on Highway 14A. The two locations offer different ways to learn about the Pryor horses: the Wild Horse Range as a place to observe wildlife, and the Center as a specific point of reference near Lovell.

Bighorn Canyon: Trails and Activities

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area offers motorized and non-motorized water activities, including boating, kayaking, and canoeing. If you prefer to explore on foot, the park has about 17 miles of designated trails spread across 15 hiking routes. These details describe two different ways to experience the area: on the water or along the trails. The recreation area preserves natural, prehistoric, historic, cultural, and scientific resources.

You can also plan your visit around Lovell. The entrance to the South District of Bighorn Canyon is about 5 miles north of town. The Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center is in Lovell at the junction of Highways 14A and 310; it is 11 miles south and west of the south entrance. If you are planning a visit to the canyon, keep the entrance and visitor center in mind as two separate points of reference.

Routes, Waterfalls, and Cultural History

From Lovell, the Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway follows U.S. 14A. The Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark is east of Lovell on the western summit of Medicine Mountain in Bighorn National Forest. The similar names are a reminder to distinguish between route and landmark information when planning.

West of Greybull, Bighorn Scenic Byway follows U.S. 14 and extends from the Powder River Basin to the Big Horn Basin. Along the route, Shell Falls Interpretive Site offers a viewpoint overlooking Shell Falls and an interpretive trail. The falls plunge 120 feet; nature trails and interpretive signs round out the visit. Another cultural history stop is Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site, where rock art covers a 750-foot-long sandstone cliff face. Archaeologists have found evidence of human habitation there dating back 10,000 years.

Museums and Local Insights

Two museums in Greybull explore different subjects. The Museum of Flight & Aerial Firefighting preserves the history of aerial firefighting and displays various types of aircraft used for it. The Greybull Museum collects, displays, and shares local artifacts and stories from Greybull and the Big Horn Basin. It is located at 325 Greybull Avenue and admission is free; check opening hours before your visit. The Bighorn Basin Geoscience Center in Greybull adds information about the paleontology of the Bighorn Basin.

At Queen Bee Gardens, you can learn about beekeeping, sample products, and take some home. Check in advance for seasonal visiting arrangements. Together with the museums, this offers another perspective on Big Horn: alongside landscapes, tracks, and routes, the focus also includes regional stories, science, and beekeeping.

Explore places: Lovell, Greybull.

Explore more destinations: Platte County, Sheridan, Park, Hot Springs County, Washakie, Lincoln.

See the main travel overview: Wyoming.