Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway: A Highway 16 Drive Guide

A day drive through the Bighorn National Forest is one of the easiest ways to see genuine alpine scenery without a backcountry permit or a full day of hiking, and the route over Powder River Pass on Highway 16 is the one we send Wyo Stays guests toward more than almost any other. It climbs from Buffalo, Wyoming into forest and alpine meadow in under two hours, with no fee and no gate to pass through.

The cloud peak skyway scenic byway runs the length of U.S. Highway 16 between Buffalo and Ten Sleep, Wyoming, climbing over 9,666-foot Powder River Pass through the heart of the Bighorn National Forest. It's roughly 47 miles one-way, takes about 90 minutes without stops, and delivers alpine lakes, granite overlooks, and views of Cloud Peak itself — no permit or fee required. We send guests up this road constantly, and it never gets old.

Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway: Route and Distance

The byway runs west from Buffalo, Wyoming to Ten Sleep, following U.S. 16 the entire way. From Sheridan, you'd drive south on I-25 to Buffalo first, adding about 35–40 minutes to your total trip. Buffalo sits at the eastern base of the Bighorns, and Ten Sleep sits on the west side near the Bighorn Basin.

The road itself is paved the entire distance and maintained by the Wyoming Department of Transportation, though it closes seasonally at the higher elevations — typically from late fall through late spring depending on snowpack. Here's the route at a glance:

Detail	Info
Route	U.S. Highway 16, Buffalo to Ten Sleep, WY
Distance	~47 miles one-way
Drive time (no stops)	~90 minutes
High point	Powder River Pass, 9,666 ft
Best season	Late June – late September
From Sheridan	~35–40 min to Buffalo, then start of byway
Fee/permit	None — public highway
Key stop	Meadowlark Lake (lodge, boating, picnic area)

Distances and drive times are estimates based on standard highway travel; always check current road and weather conditions before departure.

How Long Does the Drive Take, and What Will You See?

Plan on 90 minutes to two hours for the drive itself without stopping, and a half-day to a full day if you want to stop at overlooks, eat lunch at Meadowlark Lake, or hike a short trail near the pass. We tell guests to budget the full day if this is their main activity — there's no reason to rush a road this good. If you're continuing on to Ten Sleep Canyon or the Bighorn Basin, add another hour or two depending on how far you go. Many visitors make it a there-and-back trip from Sheridan or Buffalo rather than a one-way drive, since arranging a shuttle back isn't practical.

Along the way you'll pass through dense lodgepole pine and spruce forest, open alpine meadows, and several named overlooks with views toward Cloud Peak, the highest point in the Bighorn range at 13,167 feet. The road tops out at Powder River Pass, where a short interpretive trail explains the geology of the range. Meadowlark Lake, about two-thirds of the way toward Ten Sleep, is the most popular stopping point — it has a lodge, boat rentals, and picnic areas right off the highway. Several other small lakes and reservoirs sit just off spur roads if you want to extend the drive.

A few things worth building into your day if you have the time:

• The interpretive trail at the Powder River Pass summit
• A lunch stop or boat rental at Meadowlark Lake
• One of the smaller lake pullouts along a spur road
• A short detour into Ten Sleep Canyon on the west end

When Is the Best Time to Drive It?

Late June through late September is the reliable window — the high pass is snow-free and the road is fully open. July and August bring the greenest meadows and wildflowers at the higher elevations; September adds golden aspen color lower down near both ends of the byway.

Winter closes the highest stretch of the road most years, and even in shoulder season you should check current conditions before you go, since a late spring storm or early fall snow can shut sections down with little notice. Locals know to leave early for a cloud peak skyway scenic byway trip in summer — the light on the peaks is best before 10 a.m., and afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August above treeline.

Is the Drive Safe for RVs and Trailers?

Yes, for any driver comfortable with mountain roads — it's a paved, two-lane highway with guardrails at the exposed sections and a manageable grade, unlike some of Wyoming's rougher backcountry drives. That said, it climbs to over 9,000 feet, so RVs and trailers should watch their brakes on the descents, and everyone should watch for wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk.

Cell service is unreliable or nonexistent for long stretches, so download offline maps and tell someone your plan if you're driving alone. Afternoon thunderstorms roll in fast at elevation in summer — if you hear thunder near the pass, don't linger at the exposed overlooks.

Wyo Stays is a licensed, insured Wyoming vacation rental brokerage, and pairing this drive with a night or two in Sheridan gives you an easy Bighorns basecamp — close enough to reach Buffalo and the byway in under an hour, with a real town's worth of restaurants and breweries to come back to. Reserve your stay here and skip the OTA fees — every dollar saved is a dollar toward gas for the drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Cloud Peak Skyway? A: It's the section of U.S. Highway 16 between Buffalo and Ten Sleep, Wyoming, crossing the Bighorn Mountains over Powder River Pass at 9,666 feet. The 47-mile drive passes alpine lakes, forest, and overlooks with views of Cloud Peak, and takes about 90 minutes without stops.

Q: Is the Cloud Peak Skyway open year-round? A: No. The highest section typically closes in winter due to snow and reopens in late spring, though exact dates vary by year and snowpack. Check current Wyoming Department of Transportation road conditions before planning a trip outside summer.

Q: Where does the Cloud Peak Skyway start from Sheridan? A: From Sheridan, drive south to Buffalo, Wyoming (about 35–40 minutes), where the byway begins heading west on U.S. Highway 16 toward Ten Sleep.

Q: Is there a fee to drive the Cloud Peak Skyway? A: No. It's a public U.S. highway with no toll, permit, or entrance fee. Some pullouts and picnic areas within the national forest may have small day-use fees.

Q: Can RVs drive the Cloud Peak Skyway? A: Yes, the road is paved and maintained for standard vehicle traffic including RVs, but the grade and elevation mean drivers should check their brakes and go slow on the descents, especially with a trailer.

Book Your Bighorns Basecamp in Sheridan

Book Direct — No Channel Fees when you reserve a Sheridan basecamp for a Cloud Peak Skyway trip — book direct at book.wyostays.com and put the savings toward gas for the drive.

For more ways to experience the Bighorns beyond this one road, check out our full Sheridan Vacation Guide, or browse the range of Wyo Stays properties near downtown and the mountain front. Reserve early for peak summer weekends, and let wyostays.com handle the booking so the only thing left to plan is which cloud peak skyway scenic byway overlook you stop at first.