Watford City to Pinedale: Route Guide & Hidden Gems

At mile marker 24 on US-85 south of Watford City, you cross the Little Missouri River just downstream from where Theodore Roosevelt once ranched in the 1880s—your journey into the West begins where the Great Plains dissolve into the badlands.

The drive covers roughly 530 miles via US-85 and I-90 West/I-25 South/US-20 West, taking about 9 hours without stops. It's a rewarding trek through diverse geology, but you'll want to plan for fuel and rest.

For families, the route is child-friendly with several national parks and interactive museums. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis has dig sites where kids can help excavate. The Boysen State Park near Shoshoni offers sandy beaches and calm water for paddling.

Pets are welcome at most outdoor stops but keep them on a leash. In national parks, pets are only allowed on pavement and in campgrounds; for hydration, many gas stations have water bowls outside.

Fatigue sets in on long plains stretches; plan rest every 2 hours. Use rest areas like the one at Buffalo (has picnic tables and shade) and the Wind River Canyon viewpoint (a safe pull-off). For a longer break, stop at a local diner in Buffalo or Casper for a homestyle meal—look for daily specials and local patronage.

Hidden off-route spots: The King's Gap Trail near Buffalo is a 2-mile easy hike to a cave used by outlaws in the 1890s. These gems are often discovered using how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Unesco Note: While there are no UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the route, Yellowstone (about 100 miles north of Pinedale) is one; its southern entrance at Jackson is a worthy side trip if time allows.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park (near Watford City) is a scenic detour—its Painted Canyon Overlook is a quick stop. Further south, the Bighorn Mountains offer dramatic granite peaks, and the Wind River Canyon between Thermopolis and Shoshoni is a narrow limestone gorge.

In Buffalo, the Occidental Hotel has hosted Buffalo Bill and Teddy Roosevelt; its restored bar serves local Montana beers. In Thermopolis, the Hot Springs State Park is home to the world's largest mineral hot spring, free to bathe in at the State Bath House.

Local commerce along the route centers on ranching and energy extraction. In Gillette, you'll see coal mines; in Riverton, a wind farm and oil fields. Farmers markets appear in summer in Buffalo and Pinedale, selling local honey and bison jerky.

The route follows well-maintained asphalt: US-85 south to I-90 West in Buffalo, then I-25 South and US-20/26 West through Casper and Shoshoni. Cell service is spotty in remote stretches, so download offline maps.

• Fuel up in Watford City (last cheap gas for a while) and again in Buffalo, WY—between these, gaps of over 100 miles exist.
• Diesel and gasoline are available in Newcastle and Casper, but hours may be limited in small towns.

Road quality is good, but watch for wildlife (deer and elk) at dawn and dusk, especially near the Bighorn Mountains. Winter can bring closures on I-90 over Powder River Pass—check Wyoming 511 before departing.