Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site

Ancient Stories Beneath Red Cliffs

Tucked beneath a dramatic sandstone bluff in the shadow of the Bighorn Mountains, Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site is one of Wyoming’s true hidden treasures a place where history, culture, and nature come together in a setting of quiet beauty. With its 10,000 years of human history, ancient petroglyphs, clear trout-filled waters, and shady cottonwood groves, Medicine Lodge is more than just a campground it’s a journey into the deep past.

A Sacred Place Through Time

The site’s most striking feature is the sandstone cliff face that rises above the Medicine Lodge Creek valley. Along this wall are more than 1,000 prehistoric petroglyphs and pictographs, etched and painted by generations of Indigenous peoples who lived, hunted, and gathered here for thousands of years.

These markings some over 2,000 years old include animal shapes, human figures, and symbolic patterns, preserved by the sheltering rock and a relatively untouched environment. Interpretive signs and walkways allow visitors to get up close while protecting the fragile surface, making this one of the most accessible and educational rock art sites in the West.

Medicine Lodge remains a sacred and culturally significant site to Native American tribes, and its quiet power is felt immediately upon arrival. The landscape invites a slower pace one that respects both history and the rhythms of the natural world.

Camping Beneath the Cliffs

The Medicine Lodge Campground is one of the most scenic in Wyoming. Nestled beneath cottonwoods and willows along Medicine Lodge Creek, the campground offers a peaceful, shady retreat with the towering sandstone wall as a constant backdrop.

There are 28 campsites, many with water and electric hookups, plus picnic areas, fire pits, restrooms, and a small visitor center. Sites are well-spaced, clean, and beautifully maintained ideal for tents, RVs, or just a lazy afternoon picnic.

At night, the red cliffs catch the last of the sun, and stars emerge quickly over the wide valley. There’s no better place to sit by a campfire and reflect on the ancient footsteps that passed through long before modern roads reached this place.

Hiking, Fishing, and Wildlife

Beyond its archaeological significance, Medicine Lodge is a hub for outdoor recreation. The creek is stocked and cool, making it a great spot for trout fishing, especially for younger anglers learning to cast in calm waters. The surrounding hills and pastures are full of wildlife, including mule deer, turkeys, hawks, and songbirds.

Several hiking trails lead up into the bluffs and surrounding high country, offering views of the Bighorns and the wide valley below. Interpretive panels along the way add context and invite deeper appreciation for the land’s layered story from Paleoindian hunters to 19th-century homesteaders.

Getting There

Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site is located near Hyattville, Wyoming, about 35 miles northeast of Worland. From Highway 31, follow signs to the site via maintained gravel roads accessible by most vehicles in good weather.

It’s remote, but not difficult to reach and that balance is part of what makes it so special. There’s cell service in spots, but you’ll mostly be unplugged, surrounded by natural sound and open sky.

A Living Connection to the Past

What makes Medicine Lodge truly remarkable is how alive it still feels. The creek still flows as it has for millennia. Birds still call from the same trees. And the red cliffs still hold the stories of countless generations who came here to live, gather, and pray.

Whether you come to camp, fish, hike, or simply walk slowly past the cliff face and trace the symbols left behind, Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site offers a profound experience one of history, peace, and the enduring presence of place.