Hill City to Alpine: Scenic Drive Guide

This route links the Black Hills of South Dakota with the Wyoming high country via US-16 and US-14, crossing the Bighorn National Forest. The drive covers about 220 miles, typically taking 4.5 hours without stops, but the landscapes invite slower travel.

You'll ascend from 5,000 feet to the 9,433-foot Powder River Pass, the highest point on US-16. Geologically, you traverse ancient granite, limestone caves, and volcanic ash deposits of the Bighorn Mountains. Note: This is a visual breakdown, but the text is clean.

For families, the route offers kid-friendly stops: Devil's Tower (detour) is a national monument, and the Bighorn National Forest has easy nature trails. Restrooms are scarce off interstates, but most small towns like Ten Sleep and Greybull have services.

Pets are welcome at most trailheads and many motels; always carry water. In summer, afternoon thunderstorms bring lightning; if you're hiking, seek shelter. Winter driving requires chains; carry them.

To combat fatigue, plan a break every two hours. Rest areas are limited, but scenic overlooks like Powder River Pass serve as vista points. In Buffalo, the Washington Park offers a safe stretch.

Fuel up in Hill City or Custer before heading west; services thin out beyond Buffalo. Gas prices in Wyoming tend to be lower, but plan for the long stretches between towns. how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities helps you locate alternative fuel stops.

Road quality is generally excellent: US-16 is a paved, well-maintained highway with moderate mountain curves. US-14 through Bighorn National Forest is also paved but narrower; watch for frost heaves in spring. Always carry a spare tire. Cell coverage is spotty, especially in canyons.

• No toll roads on this route.
• Winter closures possible on Powder River Pass (check weather).
• Speed limits drop in construction zones; obey them.

The drive transitions from granite spires of the Black Hills to open plains along I-90, then climbs into the pine-scented Bighorns. Keep an eye out for deer and elk near dawn. The Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area offers dramatic red-rock cliffs.

In Buffalo, Wyoming, you'll find a classic ranching town with a lively Main Street. The Occidental Hotel has hosted Butch Cassidy. The town also anchors a growing art scene, with western bronzes and galleries. Denver? No, it's Buffalo.

Local commerce thrives on tourism and ranching; try a bison burger at a local diner. The route also passes through the historic town of Shell, home to a famous dinosaur track site.