The best utv trails in the bighorns
Trail #1: Red Grade Road, Forest Service Road 26.
Red Grade Road is a scenic and lesser-known alternative to Highways 14 and 16, favored mostly by locals. It begins at the base of the Bighorn Mountains and winds its way up, eventually connecting with Highway 14. Along the way, Red Grade treats you to breathtaking vistas of the eastern Bighorns and panoramic views of the Cloud Peak Wilderness, where peaks soar to nearly 13,000 feet. It also serves as a gateway to a network of UTV trails that branch off the main road. We love Red Grade because it avoids pavement entirely, starting right from the base of the mountain and just 15 minutes from Sheridan, Wyoming.
Heading up, you'll come across Spear-O-Wigwam (Forest Service Road 293), a historic guest ranch offering horseback riding, fly fishing, kayak rentals, and lodging. Another great option is Lookout Mountain (Forest Service Road 520), where a short hike from the end of the trail rewards you with sweeping views of the northern Bighorns. For a scenic loop, take Forest Service Road 309 through Little Goose, connecting to Forest Service Road 314 — a perfect route for those craving variety and beauty.
Trail #2: Sheep Mountain/devils canyon road with Porcupine falls detour, Forest Service Road 11.
Porcupine Falls
Sheep Mountain Road, also known as Devils Canyon Road (Forest Service Road 11), is a main route that offers plenty of opportunities to branch off onto more rugged, dedicated UTV trails. If you're up for a short hike, we recommend taking Forest Road 14 and making a pit stop at porcupine falls. While you can’t drive your UTV all the way to the falls, it’s just a 30-minute walk to one of the most stunning waterfalls in the region. The trail is steep, so take your time and be sure to pack extra water!
Prefer to stay on wheels? Head up Forest Road 103 to Cookstove Basin for sweeping views of the Bighorn Basin and northern Bighorns. For a different vantage point, try Forest Road 110 (Boyds Ridge), where you'll get dramatic views of the eastern Bighorns and Little Horn Canyon.
Trail #3: Woodchuck pass to adelaide lake from red grade road.
If you’re up for a challenge with some serious rock crawling and unforgettable views, set your sights on Adelaide Lake. Start your journey on Forest Service Road 26 and connect to Forest Service Road 226 (Woodchuck Pass). Follow 226 until it meets Forest Service Road 17, then head east up Shell Canyon. From there, take Forest Service Road 271 — this route leads you straight to Adelaide Lake and Boulder Basin. Along the way, you’ll encounter technical terrain, boulder hopping, and epic vistas of the Cloud Peak Wilderness that make the effort well worth it. Recommended for experienced drivers only.
