--- title: "Sheridan Wyoming Fall Foliage Guide — Bighorn Mountains | Wyo Stays" description: "Fall foliage in the Bighorn Mountains near Sheridan Wyoming — peak aspen color, best drives, hiking, and when to visit. September through October. wyostays.com" lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": [ "LocalBusiness", "LodgingBusiness", "RealEstateAgent" ], "@id": "https://wyostays.com/#organization", "name": "Wyo Stays", "legalName": "Wyo Stays LLC", "url": "https://wyostays.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://wyostays.com/#logo", "url": "https://wyostays.com/images/wyo-stays-logo.png", "caption": "Wyo Stays — Licensed Wyoming Vacation Rental Brokerage" }, "image": { "@id": "https://wyostays.com/#logo" }, "description": "Wyo Stays is a licensed Sheridan County brokerage built for vacation rentals, headquartered at 151 W Brundage St in Sheridan, Wyoming. Founded by Dalton Goodyear in 2020. 40+ vacation rental properties across Sheridan County and the Bighorn Mountains, part of 95+ total doors under a Wyoming real estate brokerage license. 4,210+ verified guest reviews. Airbnb Superhost, Airbnb Guest Favourite, and VRBO Premier Partner. 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Began hosting in 2017, founded Wyo Stays in 2020.", "url": "https://wyostays.com/about", "telephone": "+1-307-312-9656", "worksFor": { "@id": "https://wyostays.com/#organization" }, "homeLocation": { "@type": "Place", "name": "Sheridan, Wyoming" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.instagram.com/wyostays" ], "hasCredential": { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "credentialCategory": "Wyoming Real Estate Responsible Broker License", "url": "https://online.wyrec.org/#/verifylicense", "recognizedBy": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Wyoming Real Estate Commission", "url": "https://realestate.wyo.gov" } } }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://wyostays.com/#website", "name": "Wyo Stays", "url": "https://wyostays.com", "publisher": { "@id": "https://wyostays.com/#organization" }, "inLanguage": "en-US", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://book.wyostays.com/wyostays/theme/wyostays?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Article", "headline": "Sheridan Wyoming Fall Foliage Guide — Bighorn Mountains", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dalton Goodyear" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Wyo Stays", "url": "https://wyostays.com" }, "datePublished": "2026-05-18", "dateModified": "2026-05-18", "wordCount": 1400, "image": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1507003211169-0a1dd7228f2d?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1200&q=80", "keywords": [ "sheridan wyoming fall foliage", "bighorn mountains fall colors", "wyoming fall colors 2026" ], "mainEntityOfPage": "https://wyostays.com/journal/sheridan-wyoming-fall-foliage-guide" }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "When do aspens change in the Bighorn Mountains?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Aspens in the Bighorn Mountains typically begin changing in mid-September, with peak color from late September through the first week of October. Higher elevations (8,000+ feet) change first, with color working its way down to the valleys over 2–3 weeks. The Bighorn Scenic Byway (US-14) is the best single drive for fall color." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the best fall foliage drive near Sheridan Wyoming?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The Bighorn Scenic Byway (US-14) from Dayton to Burgess Junction is the premier fall color drive — 30 miles of aspens, spruce, and alpine meadows climbing from 4,800 to 8,600 feet. The drive takes about an hour without stops, but plan 2–3 hours with photo stops and short hikes." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is peak fall color in Sheridan Wyoming?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In the town of Sheridan itself, cottonwoods and elms peak in early-to-mid October. In the Bighorn Mountains above 7,000 feet, peak aspen color is typically the last week of September. The staggered timing means you can see fall color from mid-September through mid-October across different elevations." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is September a good time to visit Sheridan Wyoming?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "September is arguably the best month to visit Sheridan. Summer crowds have thinned, temperatures are perfect (highs in the 60s–70s), the aspens are turning, hunting season creates a local buzz, and Born in a Barn market happens mid-September. It's Sheridan at its most beautiful." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are the Bighorn Mountain roads open in fall?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "US-14 (Bighorn Scenic Byway) and US-14A (Medicine Wheel Passage) are typically open through mid-October, weather permitting. US-16 over Powder River Pass usually stays open into November. Early snow can close higher passes temporarily — check WYDOT road conditions before heading up." } } ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://wyostays.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://wyostays.com/journal" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Fall Foliage Guide" } ] } ] } ] --- [Book direct & save 16–20% — no Airbnb fees Learn more → ](/book-direct) [![Wyo Stays logo](/assets/logo-mark-i6yhcujF.png)Wyo Stays™ ](/) [Stays](/stays)[Venues](/venues) Explore [Weddings](/weddings)[Hunting](/hunting) Owners [Rentals](/rentals)[About](/about)[(307) 312-9656](tel:+13073129656)[Book Now](https://book.wyostays.com/wyostays/theme/wyostays?sid=ndg-a__hfxk762a19&num_guests=1) [Book Now](https://book.wyostays.com/wyostays/theme/wyostays?sid=ndg-a__hfxk762a19&num_guests=1) [Stays](/stays)[Venues](/venues)Explore[Weddings](/weddings)[Hunting](/hunting)Owners[Rentals](/rentals)[Partners](/partners)[About](/about)[Journal](/journal) [Tenant Portal](https://wyostays.managebuilding.com/Resident/portal/login)· [Owner Portal](/owner-portal) [(307) 312-9656](tel:+13073129656)[Book Direct — Save 16–20% →](https://book.wyostays.com/wyostays/theme/wyostays?sid=ndg-a__hfxk762a19&num_guests=1) ![Fall Foliage in the Bighorn Mountains — A Sheridan Guide](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1507003211169-0a1dd7228f2d?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1920&q=80) Seasons Bighorn Mountains Fall # Fall Foliage in the Bighorn Mountains — A Sheridan Guide The week when Sheridan County becomes unreasonably beautiful. Aspens on the Scenic Byway going gold. Cottonwoods lining the creeks downtown. September's best-kept secret. Dalton Goodyear · May 18, 2026 · 7 min read ## September in the Bighorns There's a two-week window every fall when the Bighorn Mountains transform. The aspens — millions of them, covering entire mountainsides — turn from green to gold in a wave that starts at the highest elevations and works its way down to the valleys over the course of September. The Bighorn Scenic Byway becomes one of the most spectacular drives in the American West, and almost nobody outside of Wyoming knows about it. This isn't New England foliage tourism with leaf-peeper traffic jams and overpriced cider. This is Wyoming fall — quiet roads, empty trailheads, and the kind of golden light that makes every photograph look professionally shot. The aspens here grow in massive groves called clones, where every tree is genetically identical and changes color simultaneously. The effect is walls of gold stretching for miles against dark spruce forests and grey limestone cliffs. Fall Color Timeline — Sheridan County & Bighorn Mountains Elevation Location Peak Color What to See 8,000–9,000 ft Bighorn Scenic Byway upper Sep 15–25 Dense aspen groves, alpine meadows 7,000–8,000 ft Bighorn Scenic Byway mid Sep 20–Oct 1 Mixed aspen/spruce, creek valleys 5,500–7,000 ft Tongue River Canyon, Dayton Sep 25–Oct 5 Canyon cottonwoods, lower aspens 4,500–5,500 ft Downtown Sheridan Oct 1–15 Cottonwoods, elms, Kendrick Park 4,000–4,500 ft Powder River Basin Oct 5–20 Cottonwood corridors along streams Dates are approximate and vary by year. Warm September days + cold nights produce the best color. ## The Best Fall Drives **Bighorn Scenic Byway (US-14):** The crown jewel. Start in Dayton (20 minutes south of Sheridan) and drive west on US-14. The road climbs through Tongue River Canyon — cottonwoods first, then aspens begin appearing at 6,500 feet. By Burgess Junction at 8,600 feet, you're surrounded by gold on every side. Allow 2–3 hours with photo stops. **Red Grade Road:** A gravel road south of Sheridan that climbs into the Bighorn foothills. Less dramatic than the Byway but closer and less trafficked. Good for sunset drives — the aspens catch western light beautifully in late afternoon. **US-14A (Medicine Wheel Passage):** The steeper, more dramatic route over the northern Bighorns. Switchbacks with views of the Bighorn Basin. Fall color here is earlier and at higher elevation — plan for late September. > There's a two-week window every fall when the Bighorn Mountains look like someone spilled gold paint across the entire range. The aspens turn in waves — high to low, north to south — and if you time it right, the drive up US-14 is the most beautiful road in America. ## Best Fall Hikes **[Tongue River Canyon:](/blog/tongue-river-canyon-hiking-guide)** The cottonwoods along the river turn golden in early October, and the canyon walls amplify the color. The trail is less crowded in fall than summer — September and early October are the best hiking months in this canyon. **Rapid Creek Trail:** An 8-mile loop near Sibley Lake that passes through some of the densest aspen groves in the Bighorns. Peak color here is typically the last week of September. **Little Bighorn Trail:** A less-known route off US-14 that follows a creek through aspen corridors. Moderate difficulty, 6 miles roundtrip. Best in the final week of September when the aspens are fully turned. Timing Your Visit The safest bet for peak color is the last week of September — you'll catch the upper Bighorns at peak and the lower elevations just beginning. If you can only visit one weekend, aim for the Saturday nearest September 25th. Book your Wyo Stays property early — September weekends are increasingly popular as word gets out about fall in the Bighorns. ## Beyond the Leaves — What Else September Offers Fall in Sheridan isn't just about foliage. September brings [Born in a Barn](/blog/born-in-a-barn-sheridan-wyoming-2026) (September 18–19), the county's signature artisan market. Hunting season opens, filling the town with a different energy. The [restaurants](/blog/best-restaurants-sheridan-wyoming-2026) are at their best — seasonal menus featuring game, root vegetables, and harvest ingredients. And the weather is perfect: highs in the 60s and 70s, cool nights, and the kind of crystal-clear air that makes distant mountains look close enough to touch. > September is Sheridan's best-kept secret. Summer crowds are gone. The aspens are gold. The air is crystalline. The restaurants have their fall menus. And the Bighorn Scenic Byway becomes the most beautiful road you've never heard of. ## Where to Stay For fall color viewing, downtown Sheridan gives you the best combination of Bighorn access and dining. [The Pearl](https://wyostays.com/the-pearl-of-sheridan-wyoming) is walkable to everything in town and 30 minutes from the best color on the Byway. For mountain immersion, [Story](https://wyostays.com/story-wyoming-vacation-rental) and [Dayton](https://wyostays.com/dayton-wyoming-vacation-rental) properties put you right at the base of the aspens. ### Related Guides [ #### Born in a Barn 2026 September's artisan market — same weekend as peak color. ](/blog/born-in-a-barn-sheridan-wyoming-2026)[ #### Tongue River Canyon The canyon is spectacular in early October. ](/blog/tongue-river-canyon-hiking-guide)[ #### Weekend Itinerary Plan your fall weekend in Sheridan. ](/blog/sheridan-wyoming-weekend-itinerary) [Browse Fall Stays](https://book.wyostays.com) ### Book Your Fall Escape September weekends are booking fast. Secure your Bighorn Mountain base camp. [Browse Stays](https://book.wyostays.com) Contents - [September in the Bighorns](#overview) - [The Best Fall Drives](#best-drives) - [Best Fall Hikes](#fall-hikes) - [Beyond the Leaves — What Else September Offers](#beyond-leaves) - [Where to Stay](#where-to-stay) Share [ Planning a trip? Browse 40+ properties across Sheridan County. Browse Stays ](https://book.wyostays.com) ## Frequently Asked Questions When do aspens change in the Bighorn Mountains? Aspens in the Bighorn Mountains typically begin changing in mid-September, with peak color from late September through the first week of October. Higher elevations (8,000+ feet) change first, with color working its way down to the valleys over 2–3 weeks. The Bighorn Scenic Byway (US-14) is the best single drive for fall color. What is the best fall foliage drive near Sheridan Wyoming? The Bighorn Scenic Byway (US-14) from Dayton to Burgess Junction is the premier fall color drive — 30 miles of aspens, spruce, and alpine meadows climbing from 4,800 to 8,600 feet. The drive takes about an hour without stops, but plan 2–3 hours with photo stops and short hikes. When is peak fall color in Sheridan Wyoming? In the town of Sheridan itself, cottonwoods and elms peak in early-to-mid October. In the Bighorn Mountains above 7,000 feet, peak aspen color is typically the last week of September. The staggered timing means you can see fall color from mid-September through mid-October across different elevations. Is September a good time to visit Sheridan Wyoming? September is arguably the best month to visit Sheridan. Summer crowds have thinned, temperatures are perfect (highs in the 60s–70s), the aspens are turning, hunting season creates a local buzz, and Born in a Barn market happens mid-September. It's Sheridan at its most beautiful. Are the Bighorn Mountain roads open in fall? US-14 (Bighorn Scenic Byway) and US-14A (Medicine Wheel Passage) are typically open through mid-October, weather permitting. US-16 over Powder River Pass usually stays open into November. Early snow can close higher passes temporarily — check WYDOT road conditions before heading up. [Licensed Wyoming Brokerage ](/why-wyo-stays-sheridan-wyoming)[95+ Managed Properties ](https://book.wyostays.com/wyostays/theme/wyostays?sid=ndg-a__hfxk762a19&num_guests=1)[Book Direct — Save 16–20% ](/book-direct) 🏆 Airbnb Superhost 🏅 Airbnb Guest Favourite ★ VRBO Premier Partner ✓ Licensed WY Brokerage ✓ Fully Insured & Bonded 🏅 20 Under 40 Founder ![Wyo Stays logo](/assets/logo-mark-i6yhcujF.png) ### Wyo Stays Where Wyoming Stays. · Licensed Wyoming Real Estate Brokerage. 151 W Brundage St Sheridan, WY 82801 Don't take our word for it — [verify our license](https://online.wyrec.org/#/verifylicense) with the Wyoming Real Estate Commission. 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