The Bighorn Mountains
The Bighorns, a scenic mountain range with fantastic rock formations, rises within 5 miles of Dayton. Some of the wildlife found in the Bighorns are elk, bear, deer, and moose. There are accessible streams and lakes for fishing, and beautiful mountain trails for hiking and mountain climbing. Hang gliders take off from Sand Turn during the summer, and there is sledding, skiing, and snowmobiling in winter.
The Bighorns are not as crowded during the summer, so it is possible to see wildlife in their natural setting instead of surrounded by crowds.
The Bighorns
The Bighorn Mountains are part of the Rocky Mountain chain. Cloud Peak (13, 175 ft/4,050 m) in the middle of the Cloud Peak Wilderness, is the highest point in the range.
Fallen City
Cluster of tumbled rocks that resemble a ruined city, that formed along an enormous fault.
Steamboat Point
Prominant rock formation that resembles a steamboat prow. U.S. Hwy 14 bends around the base of the point on its way up the mountain.
Sibley Lake-Mountain lake
Easily accessible from Hwy 14, Sibley Lake is a beautiful mountain lake. You can fish, picnic or just try to catch the frogs in the wetlands by the lake.
North Tongue Picnic Grounds
The picnic grounds along the north fork of the Tongue River is a nice place to have lunch while you are touring the Bighorns. The picinc grounds have tables, fire rings, and bathrooms available.
Shell Falls
The Forest Service has an interpretive center and overlooks for viewing Shell Falls along Hwy 14. The center is a nice place to stop and stretch your legs during a trip over the Bighorns. Take the nature walk along the cliff above the mini-canyon carved by Shell Creek.
Medicine Wheel
Unique archeological site of stone on US 14A on a mesa overlooking a wonderful view of the Bighorn Basin. Exactly who built the site is still not known.
Tongue River Canyon
Where the Tongue River winds through a spectacular canyon before it flows on to the campground. Follow a well-kept gravel road for 4 miles from Dayton into the Tongue River Canyon. The road ends at a parking area. You can follow a hiking path along the river or take the footbridge across the river and follow a different path to the Tongue River Cave.
Tongue River Cave
The Tongue River begins on top of the Bighorn Mountains and flows down through the Tongue River Canyon that the river has cut over time. The rocks of the canyon are dolomitic limestone of the Madison formation. Over time the river water has dissolved extensive underground passages. There are many shallow caves located on the sides of the canyon.
The Tongue River Cave begins at an opening on the side of the canyon. The first section of the cave is heavily used and has a lot of graffiti. The farther reaches of the cave have much less damage. WARNING! The easier parts of the cave near the entrance are not representative of the main part of the cave. There are narrow passages, rough climbs, and wet and slippery footing. Do not go into the cave unless you are an experienced spelunker or have a good local guide! The cave is closed certain times of year to protect the native bat population.
Dayton Area Battlefields
Connor Battlefield Site
Site of the attack by troops commanded by Gen. P.E. Conner on the Arapaho village of Chief Black Bear in 1865. The battlefield is 5 miles east of Dayton on Hwy 14 in the Ranchester City Park.
Sawyer Battlefield Site
Site of the battle between Col. James A. Sawyer and Arapaho Indians. There is an information marker on US. Hwy 14 between Dayton and Ranchester describing the fight.
Sheridan and Big Horn
Bradford Brinton Memorial (Big Horn)
Twenty room ranch house containing western art, rare books, and antique furnishings. A fantastic museum on site features many permanent and rotating exhibits, plus a Bistro for delicious meals with a great view!
Bozeman Trail Museum (Big Horn)
Historic blacksmith shop with items of interest.
Trail End Historic Center (Sheridan)
Victorian mansion built in 1908 for John B. Kendrick, Wyoming cattleman, Governor, and Senator. The mansion is maintained as a state historical museum containing art, military and pioneer relics, and Native American artifacts. The carriage house has been converted into a theater. See the Trail End website for the schedule.
Sheridan County Fulmer Library (Sheridan)
Contains the Wyoming Collection art display.
Sheridan Inn
Built in 1893 by Buffalo Bill, across from the original RR depot. Listed in Ripley's Believe It or Not as "the house of 69 gables."
King's Saddlery Museum (Sheridan)
Located in downtown Sheridan in the King Ropes building. King Ropes is the cowboy's favorite source of lassos and other tack. The museum contains old saddles, carriages, and tools of the cowboy trade.
Within 50 Miles
Fort Phil Kearney
Outpost on the Bozeman trail, located in the middle of Indian hunting grounds. Located 20 miles south of Sheridan near the sites of Fetterman and Wagon Box Battles. The Indian_Wars_Battlefields page has more information. The Fort Phil Kearney website has detailed information about the fort.
Custer Battlefield
Site of the Battle of Little Bighorn and Reno-Benteen Battlefields. It located 50 miles north of Dayton on Interstate 90. There is museum and National Cemetery at the site. See the Indian_Wars_Battlefields page for more information on the causes and results of the battle. The Little Bighorn site has information on times and programs.
Dayton Area
Hans Kleiber Studio Museum
Original log cabin studio of the Wyoming pioneer artist, author, and naturalist. The studio is maintained as it was when Mr.Kleiber used it for painting. It is open during the summer (free).
Dayton Bell Tower
Located in the Dayton City Park adjacent to Foothills Campground, the Bell Tower was used to alert firefighters. Hoses were hung in the tower to dry. During WW II, steps were added to the outside of the tower for plane watchers after the Pearl Harbor attack. Today the Bell Tower serves as a storage place for equipment and a reminder of how fires used to be fought.
Crow Indian Reservation
Begins at WY-MT border. Lodge Grass was once the early summer hunting grounds of the Crow Indians. The Crow Fair and Rodeo Celebration is held each August at Crow Agency.
Tongue River Reservoir
Boating, fishing, swimming located just beyond the WY border near Decker, MT.
Local Websites
Link to some of our local businesses:
Town of Dayton http://www.daytonwyoming.org
Links to WY state sites:
Wyoming Campground Association Private Wyoming Campgrounds and RV parks
Link to information about the Bighorn National Forest: