Bad Pass Trail

Bad Pass Trail is an archaeological path running along the western edge of Bighorn Canyon, marked by stone cairns and tipi ring structures. The route extends from Shoshone River to Grapevine Creek and shows the physical traces of camps and travel routes.

The trail developed as an important trade route connecting the Bighorn Basin in Wyoming with bison hunting grounds in Montana. People traveled this route across many centuries, gradually marking their passage with stone markers.

The trail displays tipi ring structures on both sides that reveal how Indigenous communities used this landscape across generations. These remains show where people made camp and lived during their journeys through the region.

The trail is accessible on foot but requires sturdy footwear due to rocky ground and uneven surfaces throughout. Visitors should bring plenty of water and avoid the area in heavy cloud cover, as navigation becomes difficult.

Each stone in the cairns was added by travelers seeking luck or marking their journey through the canyon. This personal practice over many centuries created a monument built from individual gestures of passage.

Location: Big Horn County

GPS coordinates: 45.00460,-108.27664

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:01