Lots has been written on the Grand Canyon, Canyon de Chelley, and Chaco Canyon – but not much on a zany little canyon (some call it a gorge) called Crazy Woman Canyon, located in the Bighorn Mountains near Buffalo, Wyoming. The canyon is small – 10 miles of narrow dirt/gravel road, aptly called Crazy Woman Canyon Road, which winds its way along Crazy Woman Creek. It might be a short drive in distance but it is a long drive in beauty and wonder.
Best time to visit Crazy Woman Canyon
Summer is a great time to visit: wild flowers are plentiful, the weather is cool, and if you have the time you can camp at one of the primitive camp sites scattered throughout the canyon. Check locally about weather and road conditions before venturing into Crazy Woman Canyon. For example, it’s not a good idea to drive the canyon after a heavy rain – you will most likely find slick road conditions and you may even find some washed out areas. Crazy Woman Canyon road is not plowed in winter. Those with all terrain vehicles (ATVs) venture in. It’s a great time to don snowshoes and take a hike in the ATV tracks through all or part of the canyon. Probably the best approach in the winter is from the meadows east of the canyon. There is a parking area just prior to that entrance: park there and enjoy the canyon in all its winter splender.
Driving through Crazy Woman Canyon
Many believe it is best to take an all-wheel drive vehicle into the canyon; others say it is not necessary. Taking a trailer or oversized vehicle is not permitted. For me, I vote for the all-wheel drive or an ATV. One thing for sure is you don’t want to get yourself stuck – the road is narrow, and sometimes you need to pull over to allow another vehicle to pass. On the other hand, there are a few parking areas, usually around the camping areas, where you can pull off and park for a while as you explore the canyon on foot.
Traveling with an RV? Here’s other options: camp in a more easily accessible campground off of Route 16 such as Hettinger Group located in open meadows and pine/aspen forests. Or stay at the Muddy Guard cabin which was built in the late 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps for the use of the Forest Service as a guard station. It is now a 2 bedroom cabin available for rental. Then drive into the canyon in a suitable vehicle.
Traveling safely through Crazy Woman Canyon
Even though the road is only about 10 miles through the canyon, it may take much longer than you expected. You can’t drive fast – the road is dirt or gravel, and maneuvering around boulders takes times. Meeting another vehicle on the road offers its unique challenges and may require some clever maneuvering, even backing up. And, as you enter the canyon and are struck by its beauty you will realize that there is no reason to rush: wild flowers in abundance, boulders of all sizes and shapes, and a roaring creek particularly if there were heavy winter snows. There can also be more people in the canyon than you anticipated: some travel to campsites located along the canyon road, others drive the canyon as a seasonal ritual, still others take a scenic drive through the canyon from the Cloud Peak Skyway (Route 16) to Interstate 25 or Interstate 90.
Finding Crazy Woman Canyon
Crazy Woman Canyon Road can be hard to find. Purchasing a large road map book of Wyoming is well worth it. Asking for directions can get confusing: my experience had been that those who live locally often use guideposts for directions instead of route numbers. This is difficult for new comers who are not as familiar with the area. That being said, Crazy Woman Canyon Road or Route 33 can be reached from Cloud Peak Skyway (Route 16) on top of the mountain or from State Route 196 (old highway 87) just south of Buffalo, Wyoming.
Visiting one of the lesser known canyons of the west provides you a unique opportunity to appreciate the beautiful of the smaller things while experiencing what many others have not. Seize the adventure, enjoy your time in Crazy Woman Canyon, read up on the fables about how it got it name, and pause to reflect on how the canyon impacts you.
Learn more
The Legend of Crazy Woman Creek
Camping at Hettinger Group Area
Muddy Guard cabin
Sources
- Recreation & Adventure in Buffalo, Wyoming, Discover Historic Buffalo, P.O. Box 383, Buffalo, WY 82834.
- Personal experiences in Crazy Woman Canyon and discussions with others who have taken the drive.
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