Bighorn National Forest

One of the country's oldest national forests, the Bighorn National Forest is a pawfect place to experience the great outdoors of north-central Wyoming with your pup. Nestled between the Powder River and Big Horn Basins, this 1-million-acre site boasts an extremely diverse landscape consisting of grasslands, rolling hills, mountain cliffs, alpine meadows, lakes, and glacially-carved valleys. There's definitely plenty to see and do at Bighorn, so pack up your pooch and hop into the car—it's time for an outdoor adventure!

Conveniently located between Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore, the Bighorn National Forest is a pawtastic year-round destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. This scenic site offers 1,200 miles of day hiking and backpacking trails, including some that overlook waterfalls and others that lead to valley floors covered in wildflowers. Wherever your journey takes you, always keep your furry hiking partner on a leash and pick up whenever they put something down. Note that some trails may be off-limits to doggos.

Bighorn also offers three scenic byways if you prefer to explore the area by car. The Bighorn Scenic Byway, which follows US Highway 14 from Sheridan to Greybull, offers miles and miles of puptacular views on a clear day. Pawse at one of the many roadside turnouts to look out over the valley. This route also passes the Shell Falls and Sand Turn Interpretive Sites.

For an extended adventure, make yourselves at home in one of the forest's 30 developed campgrounds. Four-legged campers are welcome but must be on a leash and under control at all times. If you and Fido would really like to ruff it, dispersed camping is permitted throughout much of the forest. Be sure to leave no trace! Cabins and lodges are available as well, but do check first if your furry friend can tag along.

Enjoy the solitude of the mountain landscape with your canine pal at the Bighorn National Forest!