Fall in the Big Horns is a wonderful time

Fall is one of the most pleasant seasons to get out and enjoy the Bighorn National Forest. Whether you are planning a hunt, a family hike or a ride to view the changing colors in the Big Horns, there are great options that fit everyone’s needs.

Highways 16, 14 and 14A all offer spectacular views of changing aspen. If you’d like to get more into the backcountry, consider driving a forest road. Burgess Road 15 can make a wonderful loop when combined with Highways 14A and 14. Enjoy a picnic in Burgess Picnic Area along the way. For a hiking adventure, explore Devil’s Canyon Road 14 and hike into Porcupine Falls Trail 135 or to the overlook of Bucking Mule Falls Trail 053.

Wear bright colors or hunter’s orange so you are not mistaken for wildlife. Please stay on designated routes with motorized vehicles and consider hiking to scout from the ridgeline or vantage point when hunting. On roads and trails, please don’t make shortcuts between routes, switchbacks or turns. This time of year, one set of tracks will be easily visible, and others will follow until a new route is formed. If the road is wet and you’re causing ruts, please turn around and consider another less damaging option or visit again at another time.

If the road is too rough for your skill level or vehicle, consider taking a more appropriate vehicle or traveling elsewhere rather than driving parallel to the existing road because it appears smoother. Actions like this can lead to erosion and costly repairs.  

Be sure to contact land managers for maps or regulations so that you know where you can legally travel. A great resource is the free Bighorn National Forest’s Motor Vehicle User Map. You can pick one up at any of our local offices or online. Details can be found on our website. Regulations can change from year to year, and sometimes temporary closures are in effect. To avoid surprises, check with local offices before you travel to your favorite spot. Please note that Shell Falls Visitor Center is still closed for construction, and foot traffic is not allowed at the site or on any of the site’s trails or walkways.

The Bighorn National Forest allows motorized off-road camping up to 300 feet from the road, if no resource damage occurs. Please don’t push this distance. There are already hundreds of legal camping options. When selecting your spot, consider using a legal location that is already impacted, rather than making a new one. If possible, camp about 200 feet from water; some locations have a regulation of camping at least 100 feet from water sources. There is a 14-day stay limit year-round in the Bighorn National Forest.

To prevent damage to vegetation and bare ground showing, move your stock and avoid leaving them in one location for long periods of time. This can cause erosion and soil compaction, which limits regrowth.

The Bighorn National Forest receives use year-round from thousands of visitors. Practically every corner of the forest is visited by people recreating each year. Every choice we make can have an impact on the health of the forest, the wildlife that live here and the experience of forest visitors. 

We all share this beautiful place and each of us is responsible for making decisions that will protect our safety and that of others, along with the health of the land we care about. Enjoy your visit and please recreate responsibly. 

For more information, please contact any of the Bighorn National Forest offices or our website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/bighorn. Visit Tread Lightly! at https://treadlightly.org or Leave No Trace at https://lnt.org for more tips on how you can do your part.  Follow us on X or like us on Facebook.