Sheridan to Gardiner Road Trip: Top Stops & Hidden Gems

The Sheridan-to-Gardiner corridor traces the ancient footpaths of the Crow and Shoshone, later followed by the Bozeman Trail. US-14 west of Sheridan climbs the Big Horn Mountains via the breathtaking Powder River Pass at 9,666 feet—the highest paved pass in Wyoming. This 280-mile journey typically takes 5 to 6 hours of pure driving, but smart travelers budget at least two days to absorb the landscapes.

This guide answers is it worth driving Sheridan, WY to Gardiner, MT with a resounding yes, and details best stops Sheridan, WY to Gardiner, MT. For deeper route optimization, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Fuel stations are sparse between Sheridan and Cody, especially over the Big Horns. Fill up in Sheridan (several stations near I-90 exit 23) and again in Greybull (Sinclair or Exxon). After Cody, the next reliable gas is in Yellowstone’s Fishing Bridge (seasonal) or Mammoth Hot Springs. Diesel availability is limited east of Cody.

• Cell service: AT&T and Verizon work in Sheridan, Greybull, Cody; dead zones on US-14 over the pass and inside Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley.
• Towing services: AAA coverage is spotty; local shops in Cody (Cody Towing, +1 307-587-2700) are your best bet.
• Road conditions: Check WYDOT (wyoroad.info) for closures; US-14 over the pass can close from October to May due to snow.

How long to drive Sheridan, WY to Gardiner, MT? Without stops, 5 hours. But plan for at least 8 hours including wildlife jams and photo ops. The route weaves through the Bighorn National Forest, Shoshone National Forest, and Yellowstone National Park—each requiring entrance fees (Yellowstone: $35/vehicle, valid 7 days). The Bighorn NF is free.

US-14 over the Bighorns has no guardrails and steep drop-offs; speeds above 45 mph are treacherous in rain or snow. Always carry chains from October to April. Within Yellowstone, wildlife crossings are constant—collisions peak at dawn and dusk. Speed limits inside the park are 45 mph max, and bison jams can stretch for miles. Be patient.

• Rest zones: Bighorn National Forest’s Tie Hack Picnic Area (flush toilets, tables) and Buffalo Bill State Park (vault toilets, camping $35).
• Family stops: In Cody, the Cody Firearms Museum offers interactive laser shooting for kids; in Gardiner, the Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center has free films.
• Pet-friendly: Most national forest trails allow dogs on leash; Yellowstone restricts dogs to developed areas and must be inside vehicles on boardwalks. Gardiner’s Yellowstone River Inn (pet fee $25) is a reliable stay.

Fatigue management: The straight, monotonous stretch from Greybull to Cody can induce drowsiness. Break at the Greybull Museum (open 9-5, free) or pull over at the Shell Creek Vista Point. In Lamar Valley, park at a turnout and walk a short path to keep blood flowing. Avoid driving after 9 PM in Yellowstone—bison become active on roads and lack reflectors.

Hidden off-route spots: North of Cody on Chief Joseph Scenic Highway (WY-120) leads to Dead Indian Pass and the Sunlight Basin—a 45-mile gravel loop with views of the Absaroka Range. Alternatively, east of Gardiner, Jardine (4 miles off US-89) is a ghost town with a historic cemetery and no services. Best visited in a vehicle with high clearance.

The Bighorn Mountains offer alpine tundra, glacial lakes, and wildflower meadows. Just west of Sheridan, US-14 switchbacks up to Powder River Pass; pull over at Tie Hack Memorial (44.5249° N, 107.2784° W) for a short trail and historic logging artifacts. After Greybull, the Bighorn Basin opens into high desert—stark but dramatic.

• Shell Falls Interpretive Site (milepost 37 on US-14): A 120-foot cascade with ADA-accessible boardwalk.
• Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark (gravel road, 4WD recommended): A 12,000-year-old Native American stone circle at 9,642 feet.
• Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley: Prime wolf and bison viewing; access via US-89 from Gardiner.

Local commerce thrives in Cody with the Buffalo Bill Center of the West (five museums under one roof; $28 adult). In Gardiner, shops like Yellowstone Adventures sell permits, maps, and bear spray. The town’s mercantile dates to 1883 and stocks rugged gear. For regional crafts, stop at Sheridan’s Historic District on Main Street for saddlery and Western art galleries.

Things to do between Sheridan, WY and Gardiner, MT include digging for dinosaur fossils at the Greybull Museum (free) or soaking at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis (detour: 30 miles south of Greybull on US-20). Thermopolis claims the world’s largest mineral hot spring; the state bathhouse offers free soaking.