Bighorn Scenic Byway

Dayton to Shell

North-Central Wyoming · Wyoming · United States

Key measurements

Distance

57.1 miles

Elevation gain

6,061 ft

Elevation loss

5,765 ft

High point

9,036 ft

Low point

3,920 ft

Net change

298 ft (3,921 ft to 4,219 ft)

Surface

Paved

Route type

point-to-point

Route Overview

This route is a classic east-to-west crossing of the northern Bighorn Mountains in north-central Wyoming. Starting in the foothill town of Dayton at 3,920 feet on the edge of the Powder River Basin, the highway climbs more than 5,000 vertical feet up the eastern escarpment into Bighorn National Forest. It crosses a vast timberline plateau and granite-studded alpine pass at 9,036 feet before plunging through the carved sandstone and limestone gorge of Shell Canyon, finishing at the hamlet of Shell on the eastern rim of the arid Bighorn Basin. Covering just over 57 miles, it delivers a compressed tour of Northern Rockies mountain geography—from foothill grasslands to subalpine lodgepole forests, high granite crests, and desert red-rock canyons.

Key Segments & Geographic Transitions

Bighorn Scenic Byway (US-14) — Miles 0.3–57.1

Leaving Dayton, the highway immediately engages the eastern wall of the range, climbing aggressively through tight, sweeping curves cut into steep canyon slopes. The view opens wide over the Powder River Basin as the road rapidly gains altitude, transitioning from mountain shrubland into dense stands of ponderosa and lodgepole pine.

Above 8,000 feet, the terrain flattens into an expansive high-altitude basin of subalpine meadows and granite batholiths. US-14 reaches its high point of 9,036 feet around mile 34.9, traversing open parkland where snowpacks linger into summer.

Past the high crest, the western slope drops sharply into Shell Canyon. The highway winds downhill alongside Shell Creek, surrounded by dramatic vertical limestone walls and ancient red sandstone formations. The canyon walls eventually pull back as the road settles onto the dry benchlands of the Bighorn Basin, concluding in the small community of Shell.

Seasonal & Environmental Context

Elevation dominates the environment on this route. While the basin floors at Dayton and Shell experience hot, dry summers, the middle 30 miles remain distinctly alpine. Peak riding conditions run from late June through September. Mountain passes can experience freezing temperatures, sudden snow showers, and icy patches outside of mid-summer, while afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August, bringing sudden hail, heavy rain, and temperature drops of 30 degrees or more within minutes. High winds are a constant factor along the exposed upper ridges and when entering narrow canyon mouths.

Logistics & Services

Fuel, food, and basic supplies can be secured in Dayton at the start or in Shell at the end. Between these two foothill settlements, services across the Bighorn National Forest are extremely limited. Ensure your tank is full before starting the climb, as range calculations should account for the sustained 5,000-plus-foot elevation gain. Cellular service is spotty to non-existent throughout the high pass and inside Shell Canyon.

Important Considerations

Free-range cattle graze across Bighorn National Forest, and livestock frequently stray onto or near the roadway on high-plateau sections. Mule deer, elk, and moose are common along forested margins, particularly at dawn and dusk. Watch for rockfall debris on the road surface through the sharp walls of Shell Canyon.