With the wind through your hair and air in your tires, take to the Bighorns for some unparalleled mountain biking trails. Although bikes are not permitted in the Cloud Peak Wilderness Area, the Bighorn National Forest encompasses thousands of miles of trails to keep you plenty busy on your metal steed. A few locally recommended trails include Soldier Ridge Trail, the Tongue River Shuttle and Black Mountain.
Soldier Ridge Trail
| Rating | Type | Length | Distance from Sheridan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate | Out & back | 4 mi | Less than 1 mile |
Located at the foothills of the Bighorns, this 4-mile, non-motorized trail is conveniently located on the outskirts of town and provides stunning 360 degree views of the mountains and countryside.
Getting There
The Soldier Ridge Trail is located where pavement turns to gravel at the end of W 5th St., about a 5 minute drive from downtown Sheridan. When the road becomes gravel, take the second left (first left is a private driveway) and cross a cattle guard. Turn right into the trailhead parking area.
Tongue River Shuttle
| Rating | Type | Length | Distance from Sheridan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate to Difficult | Pt-to-Pt | 10.5 mi | 6.4 mi |
This is an 11-mile mountain bike ride. It is also a great “one-way” ride. With an elevation drop of more then 4,000ft, be sure to have someone pick you up at the bottom. During your ride, you’ll descend down the Tounge River Canyon. The trail is a long down hill ride with rocks, roots and other items covering the trail.
Getting There
- Take I-90 North to Dayton (Exit 9).
- Take Highway 14 through Ranchester and Dayton and up into the Bighorn Mountains.
- Turn north at Burgess Junction on to Forest Road 15.
- After 4 miles, take Forest Road 168 for 8 miles towards Freeze Out Point to the trail head.
- Head east on Forest Road 199
- Near the summit of Freeze Out Point you’ll want to go left at the fork.
- The road will drop into the Toungue River drainage about a mile later.
- About 10 miles later you arrive at the bottom. At this point you are about 4 miles from Dayton (the town you passed through on your way up the mountain).
Black Mountain
| Rating | Type | Length | Distance from Sheridan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate to Difficult | Out n’Back | 10 mi | 3.7 mi |
| Loop | 16.4 mi | 4.6 mi |
Take a ride that ends overlooking the Wolf and Quartz Creeks. This ride ascends (steeply at times) for 5 miles.
Getting There
- Take I-90 North to Dayton Exit.
- Take Highway 14 through Ranchester and Dayton and up into the Bighorn Mountains.
- Turn left on to Forest Road 16 and travel about 2.5 miles to a fork in the road.
- Head east on Forest Road 186
- The summit is 5 miles
