The Northern Wyoming News has provided activities and trips around the Big Horn Basin for anyone looking for some "staycation" things to do.

BIKING

Many Big Horn Basin communities have bike and walking paths.

The Lander Cycling Club is hosting the 11th Annual Fremont Area Road Tour from Aug 1- Aug 31. Due to the current COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic, this year the event will be hosted online and will give participants a chance to compete in a month-long virtual challenge. Riders will have the entire month of August to accumulate miles and can record road, gravel, mountain, or activities from a smart trainer. More information can be found at http://www.fremontarearoadtour.com

MUSEUMS

Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody. More information at centerofthewest.org

The Washakie Museum and Cultural Center in Worland. Washakiemuseum.org

Ten Sleep Pioneer Museum. Facebook page.

Hot Springs County Museum & Cultural Center in Thermopolis. http://www.thermopolismuseum.com

Homesteader Museum in Powell. http://www.homesteadermuseum.com

Meeteetse Museums in Meeteetse. http://www.meeteetsemuseums.org

Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis. https://wyomingdinosaurcenter.org/

ARCHAEOLOGICAL/HISTORICAL SITES

Medicine Wheel

The Medicine Wheel / Medicine Mountain National Historic Landmark (NHL) is a major Native American sacred complex and archaeological property used by many different tribes from times before Euro-American contact to the present day. The NHL is located on the Bighorn National Forest in Big Horn County in north-central Wyoming, just 12 miles south of the Montana border. The near town, Lovell, lies 25 miles to the west and Sheridan is 46 miles to the east. The Medicine Wheel is normally accessible from mid to late June through mid September.

Medicine Lodge

More than 10,000 years of rich, cultural history thrives at Medicine Lodge amongst the endless outdoor recreation opportunities. The site is located off of Big Horn County Road 52 near Hyattville.

Legend Rock

Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site is a 400 meters long (1,312 feet) near vertical cliff with more than 92 prehistoric petroglyph panels and over 300 petroglyph figures.

Legend Rock is located 29 miles northwest of Thermopolis. Completed in 2011, Legend Rock now has a visitor center, interpretative trails, and picnic shelter. During the summer, the visitor's center will be operated by volunteer site hosts.

Spring Creek Raid

The site of the Spring Creek Raid lies about seven miles south of Ten Sleep, immediately east of State Highway 434, the Upper Nowood Road. A state historical marker has been placed next to the site. Travel on U.S. 16, 65 miles west of Buffalo, Wyo. or 26 miles east of Worland to Tensleep, and then proceed south seven miles on State Highway 434 to Spring Creek. Monuments have been placed where wagons sat north and south of Spring Creek on April 2, 1909.

Heart Mountain

Interpretive Site

The Interpretive Center provides an overview of the wartime relocation of Japanese Americans, including the background history of anti-Asian prejudice in America and the factors leading to their enforced relocation and confinement.

Located at 1539 Road 19 between Powell and Cody.

Kirwin

Wyoparks.wyo.gov

http://www.fs.usda.gov

heartmountain.org

GOLFING

Amongst plenty of other activities around the Big Horn Basin, golfing opportunities are bountiful. More than six different courses are available around the Basin, presenting different features and opportunities.

Green Hills Golf Course is located in Worland. The course features 18 holes of family-friendly fun at low prices. The course includes rolling green hills, ponds and bunkers. The course is open to the public seven days a week. 307-347-8972.

Thermopolis Golf Course offers nine challenging holes. 307-864-5294.

Olive Glenn Golf & Country Club in Cody, the 18 hole, par 72 championship course is open year round. The club's website with more information is Oliveglenngolfclub.com. 307-587-5688.

Powell Golf Club presents 18 holes. 307-754-7259.

Midway Golf Course conveniently located midway between Greybull and Basin is a 9-hole course with golf carts and club available for rent. 307-568-2255.

Foster Gulch Golf Course southeast of Lovell off of Lane 13 consists of 40 unspoiled acres with Foster Gulch Creek winding through a 9-hole course. 307-548-2445.

SCENIC BYWAYS

Bearthooth Scenic Highway. Located just east of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming's northwest corner, Beartooth Scenic Highway follows US-212 as it winds through Shoshone National Forest. Nearly 39 miles of this 68-mile drive are in Wyoming, with sections crossing into Montana. Plan to spend about three hours driving this beautiful road.

Bighorn Scenic Byway. This scenic byway begins in Shell, Wyoming, and travels along US-14 for 58 miles before connecting with Medicine Wheel Passage, which is located just southwest of Dayton, Wyoming. Bighorn Scenic Byway passes through Bighorn National Forest, past Shell Falls and over Granite Pass, featuring views of vast ranchlands, limestone outcroppings and various mountain peaks along the way.

Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway. Winding west toward Yellowstone through Shoshone National Forest, Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway is filled with wildlife and stunning views. This drive starts about 25 miles west of Cody, Wyoming, and follows US Highway 14-16-20 for 27 miles. Take time to enjoy a hike or a stay at a historic lodge before experiencing this route's ultimate grand finale: Yellowstone National Park.

Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. Located in northwest Wyoming, this scenic drive begins near Yellowstone National Park's eastern border and travels southwest through Shoshone National Forest and the Absaroka Mountains. The 47-mile drive along Wyoming Highway 296 boasts prime wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation opportunities to those who stop along the way.

Cloud Peak Skyway. Cloud Peak Skyway is an incredible stretch of road that offers views of the Big Horn Mountains, including the highest peak in the range, Cloud Peak. The scenic drive follows US-16 between Ten Sleep and Buffalo in north-central Wyoming. In just 47 miles, the Cloud Peak Scenic Byway transports you through Ten Sleep Canyon and Bighorn National Forest before climbing to stunning views of the Cloud Peak Wilderness.

Medicine Wheel Passage. Located in north-central Wyoming, the Medicine Wheel Passage travels along Wyoming Highway 14-A, offering views of the Big Horn Basin and Absaroka Mountains.

Travelwyoming.com

HIKING

There are numerous scenic trails in the Bighorn National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands, several that go to falls - Five Springs, Bucking Mule Falls and Porcupine Falls.

There are some local trails including Round Top Trail, Thermopolis and the Gooseberry Badlands Trail on Bureau of Land Management land on Highway 433.

Americanhiking.org

Fs.usda.gov/activity/bighorn/recreation/hiking

FISHING – RIVERS, CREEKS

Information provided by Wyoming Game and Fish. Please make sure to check fishing regulations. Fishing in Wind River Canyon requires additional license for the Wind River Reservation.

Big Horn River, Lower. From Worland ramp to Bighorn Lake access is via numerous city ramps and BLM parcels.

Big Horn River, Upper. Several WGFD Public Fishing Access and BLM access points from the northern end of the Wind River Canyon just south of Thermopolis to Lucerne on U.S. 20.

Brooks Lake Creek County Road north from U.S. 26/287 20 miles north of Dubois.

Clark's Fork River, Lower. North and west of Cody about 24 miles using Wyoming 120. Several locations: along Clark's Fork Canyon Road (County Road 8VC); at Edelweiss area, bridge crossings of Wyoming 120; south on County Road 8UC; and at Clark's Fork Hatchery on County Road 8VE. Look for WGFD Public Fishing Access signs.

Clark's Fork River, Upper. Follow Wyoming 120 north of Cody 17 miles, turn left (west) on Chief Joseph Highway 296 and along Wyoming 212 and the Montana/Wyoming state line.

Greybull River. Most access is on USDA Forest Service lands west of Meeteetse, via Wyoming 290, then travel on Pitchfork Ranch Road to USDA Forest Service access sites at Jack Creek and above.

Medicine Lodge Creek Several access points northeast of

Hyattville on Wyoming 31 to County Road 268 (Cold Springs Road). Stream parallels these roads.

Paintrock Creek. Wyoming 31 parallels Paintrock Creek for about 8 miles west and east of Hyattville. Back roads and trails lead several miles farther up the creek to the east.

Shell Creek U.S. 14 parallels the creek east of Greybull. Most public access is on USDA Forest Service land.

Shoshone River U.S. ALT14 parallels this stream for several miles north of Cody

Shoshone River, North Fork U.S. 14/16/20 parallels this stream for many miles west of Cody. Watch for WGFD Public Fishing access and USDA Forest Service access signs.

Shoshone River, South Fork Wyoming 291 parallels this stream for many miles southwest of Cody with limited public access.

Sunlight Wildlife Habitat Management Area Follow Wyoming 120 north of Cody 17 miles, turn left (west) on Chief Joseph Scenic Highway Wyoming 296 and continue 23 miles to Sunlight Road, left on Sunlight Road to Wildlife Habitat Management Area.

Wind River below Boysen Follow U.S. 20 south of Thermopolis to the head of Wind River Canyon.

Little Bighorn River (upper end of drainage)/ Follow U.S. ALT14 west from Burgess Junction for 15 miles and turn right (north) onto USDA Forest Service Road 14. Continue another 1 mile and turn onto USDA Forest Service Road 125 and follow signs to the stream.

North Tongue River There are several access points to the river along U.S. ALT14 west from Burgess Junction. Also, USDA Forest Service Road 15 heading north from Burgess Junction crosses the river about 2 miles from the highway.

South Tongue River. Follow U.S. 14 west from Dayton until the road crosses the river.

West Fork South Tongue River Take U.S. 14 south from Burgess Junction (intersection of U.S. 14 and U.S. ALT14) to the Owen Creek Campground. Turn left (east) onto USDA Forest Service Road 26 and follow it to the Dead Swede Campground. The stream can be accessed by trail from this point.

FISHING/BOATING – RESERVOIRS & LAKES

Beartooth Plateau Lakes. From Cody follow Wyoming 120 to Chief Joseph Scenic Highway Wyoming 296, turn left (west), then right (east) on U.S. 212. Or follow Wyoming 120/Montana 72 to Montana 308 to Red Lodge, Montana, then southwest back to Wyoming on U.S. 212.

Beck Lake In Cody City Limits along Wyoming 120.

Bighorn Lake Follow U.S. ALT14 east of Lovell 2 miles, then turn left (north) on Wyoming 37 to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.

Big Horn Mountains Alpine Lakes For more information contact: Medicine Wheel/Paintrock Ranger District, USDA Forest Service, 604 E. Main Lovell, WY 82431 (307) 548-6541, or Powder River Information Desk, 101 S. 23rd Worland, WY 82401 (307) 347-5105.

Boysen Reservoir Follow U.S. 20 north from Shoshoni or U.S. 20/26 west from Shoshoni.

Deaver Reservoir Follow Wyoming 114 west of Deaver for 3 miles, then turn right (north) on County Road 11-1XB.

Harrington Reservoir South of the town of Otto. Turn off Wyoming 30 in Otto and follow signs to reservoir.

Hogan Reservoir Follow Wyoming 120 north of Cody 18 miles, turn left (west) on County Road 7RP and continue 4.5 miles to the reservoir.

Meadowlark Lake Follow U.S. 16 northeast from Ten Sleep 20 miles.

Paintrock Lake. From Greybull, WY, take Hwy 14 east for about 32 miles to Forest System Road (FSR) 17. Go south for another 25 miles. Trailhead will be on the left.

Newton Lake, East Follow Wyoming 120 north from Cody 3 miles, turn left (west) on County Road 2ABN (Cottonwood Drive) and continue 1.5 miles to the lake.

Newton Lake, West Follow directions to East Newton Lake.

Renner Reservoir. Between Ten Sleep and Hyattville on the Renner Wildlife Habitat Management Unit.

Sunshine Reservoir, Lower. Follow Wyoming 290 southwest from Meeteetse 7 miles to the lake.

Sunshine Reservoir, Upper. Follow Wyoming 290 southwest from Meeteetse 11.5 miles, turn left (south) on County Road 5XS and continue 3 miles to the reservoir.

Swamp Lake Follow Wyoming 120 north from Cody 16 miles, turn left (west) on Chief Joseph Scenic Highway Wyoming 296 and continue 35 miles to USDA Forest Service Road 128. Travel south to the K Bar Z Lodge with access through the lodge buildings to the south portion of the lake.

Cloud Peak Reservoir. From the west side of Story (just north of the Story Fish Hatchery), take USDA Forest Service Trail 33 (Penrose Park Trail) for about 5 miles to USDA Forest Service Road 320 (foot, horesback or ATV travel only). Continue through Penrose Park to the split. Take the left (south) fork and follow it for about 3 miles on USDA Forest Service Trails 033 and 038 to Willow Park Reservoir. Continue about 4 miles past Willow Park Reservoir on USDA Forest Service Trail 038 to Trail 082. Follow Trail 082 west about 1 mile to Cloud Peak Reservoir.

Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes Major access points to Cloud Peak Wilderness are located off of U.S. 16 and USDA Forest Service Road 26 (Red Grade Road) out of Big Horn. USDA Forest Service maps are available at Forest Service offices.