The badlands of Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin offer a landscape unlike almost anywhere else in the state. Layers of red, gold, gray and purple earth rise into rugged ridges, narrow ravines and wind-carved formations. Fossils remain embedded in ancient sediment, while wide-open views stretch toward the Absaroka and Bighorn mountains.
These areas can be spectacular—but they are also remote, exposed and sometimes difficult to navigate. A little preparation will help you explore them safely and responsibly.
Choose the Right Time to Visit
Spring and fall generally provide the most comfortable conditions for exploring the badlands. Temperatures are cooler, the light is ideal for photography and the colorful terrain is often especially striking in the morning and evening.
Summer can still be a rewarding time to visit, but plan around the heat. Badlands usually offer little shade, and exposed ground can become extremely hot during the afternoon. Begin early, take a break during the hottest part of the day and consider returning for sunset.
Winter brings its own stark beauty, but snow, ice and drifting can make back roads difficult or impassable.
Check the Weather Before Leaving
Badlands terrain can change quickly after rain. Roads that appear firm when dry may turn into deep, sticky mud after even a relatively brief storm. Clay-rich soil can become nearly impossible to drive or walk across.
Check the forecast before departing, and avoid remote dirt roads when rain is expected. Flash flooding can also occur in narrow draws and washes, even when the heaviest rainfall is some distance away.
If the weather begins to deteriorate, turn around early.
Carry More Water Than You Think You Need
There are few services and often no dependable water sources in the Basin’s badlands. Carry at least one gallon of water per person for a full day, with additional water for pets and emergencies.
Keep extra water in your vehicle rather than relying entirely on what you carry in a pack. Sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight clothing are also essential during warmer months.
Download Maps in Advance
Cellphone service is unreliable across many remote areas of the Bighorn Basin. Download offline maps before leaving and carry a paper map as a backup.
Do not depend entirely on directions from a mapping app. Some applications may route travelers onto private roads, abandoned two-tracks or roads that require a high-clearance vehicle.
Pay attention to property boundaries, gates and posted signs. If you are uncertain whether a road is public, turn around and choose another route.
Know Where You Are Allowed to Explore
The Bighorn Basin contains a mixture of federal, state, county, tribal and private land. Publicly accessible areas may border private property without an obvious fence.
Use an accurate land-ownership map and respect all closures and restrictions. Never cross a locked gate, enter posted property or assume that an unmarked two-track is open to public travel.
Travel on the Wind River Indian Reservation may be subject to tribal rules and permit requirements. Visitors should confirm access before entering tribal lands.
Bring the Right Vehicle
Some badlands viewpoints can be reached in a standard passenger vehicle during dry conditions, but many backcountry routes are rough, deeply rutted or covered with sharp rocks.
A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for more remote trips. Four-wheel drive can provide additional security, but it should not create false confidence. No vehicle performs well on wet bentonite clay.
Carry a full-size spare tire if possible, along with a jack, tire-repair supplies and a basic recovery kit. Begin the trip with a full tank of fuel, particularly when traveling between communities such as Worland, Basin, Greybull, Meeteetse and Thermopolis.
Tell Someone Where You Are Going
Before entering a remote area, give someone your planned route and expected return time. Include the road or trail you intend to use and the location where you expect to park.
A satellite communicator or personal locator beacon can provide added security in areas without cellphone coverage. At minimum, keep your phone charged and carry a portable battery.
Watch for Wildlife
The badlands may appear barren from a distance, but they support pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, rattlesnakes, birds of prey and many smaller species.
Watch where you place your hands and feet, particularly around rocks, ledges and brush. Give rattlesnakes plenty of space and never attempt to move or handle one.
Observe all wildlife from a distance. Dogs should remain under control, both for their safety and to prevent them from chasing animals.
Protect Fossils and Archaeological Sites
The geology of the Bighorn Basin has produced internationally important fossils, including ancient mammals, plants and marine life. The region also contains archaeological and cultural sites with deep significance.
Enjoy these discoveries without disturbing them. Do not remove vertebrate fossils from federal land, and never collect artifacts, pottery, projectile points or human remains. Fossil and artifact rules vary by landowner, so research the applicable regulations before collecting anything.
Photograph unusual discoveries, record their location and report potentially significant fossils to the appropriate land-management agency.
Leave the Landscape as You Found It
Badlands soils and plant communities can be surprisingly fragile. Tire tracks and footpaths may remain visible for years, while off-road travel can accelerate erosion and damage wildlife habitat.
Stay on established roads and trails whenever possible. Pack out all trash, avoid building new fire rings and leave rocks, fossils and plants in place.
These landscapes feel timeless, but they can be permanently altered by a few careless decisions.
Bring a Camera and Look Beyond the Grand View
The Basin’s badlands are especially photogenic during the golden hours after sunrise and before sunset. Low-angle light reveals colors, textures and formations that can disappear under the flat glare of midday.
Wide landscapes are only part of the experience. Look for small details: patterned clay, colorful stones, twisted juniper, animal tracks and thin geological layers that preserve millions of years of history.
A pair of binoculars is also useful for spotting wildlife and examining distant formations without leaving established routes.
Make a Basin Community Your Basecamp
Worland, Thermopolis, Basin, Greybull and Meeteetse all provide convenient starting points for different badlands adventures. Staying in one of these communities gives travelers access to fuel, food, lodging and local information before heading into more isolated country.
It also makes it easier to combine a badlands excursion with other Bighorn Basin attractions, including hot springs, museums, scenic drives, fishing access and historic sites.
Embrace the Quiet
The greatest attraction of the Bighorn Basin’s badlands may be their sense of space. Away from major highways and developed recreation areas, visitors can experience immense views, extraordinary silence and a landscape shaped across millions of years.
Travel carefully, leave time for unexpected discoveries and resist the temptation to rush from one destination to the next. In the badlands, slowing down is often the best way to see more.
Bighorn Basin Explorer 
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