Bighorn Canyon: Bicycling the Canyon Road

As avid road cyclists, we have been fortunate enough to ride in some of the most beautiful places in the US (and beyond).  Bicycling the road through Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (South Unit) in Wyoming and Montana certainly ranks up there with the top few rides over the years.  You don't have to be a cyclist to appreciate the stunning scenery, but it certainly helps.  We see so much more on our bikes than when whizzing by in a car (or motorhome!)

We planned a ride that would take us from our site at Horseshoe Bend Campground north to a popular fishing and swimming area with a smaller campground, appropriately called Barry's Landing. 

Here's a map of the route, along with its elevation profile, courtesy of Google Maps.

This route gives new meaning to the word epic, starting with the climb out of the Horseshoe Bend Campground area, surrounded by stunning red rocks.

Barry is the tiny image in yellow heading up!

Barry did the climb twice so he could get my photo going up too!

Look how tiny I am next to that HUGE mountain!

The first third of the way out was mostly uphill, as you can see from the elevation profile. This would make for an exhilarating descent on the way back to the campground at the end of the ride.

Up, up, up we go!

We stopped to take a photo of this sign as we crossed the state line.

Finally we reached the high point of the road and would get to enjoy mostly descending until we got to Barry's Landing at the end.

We stopped at Devil's Canyon Overlook, a gorgeous spot for viewing the canyon and the river below.  The olive green color of the river is so interesting.

Time to continue onward -- and downward.  Yay!

Screaming descent

Wheeeee!

We saw some Mule Deer.

And crossed a few cattle guards.

So gorgeous

Finally, we reached the turnoff.  Almost there!  We would descend quite a bit more before the end.  With every descent, I thought about what it would take once we turned around and started the long trek back. 

Down, down, down we go

More Mule Deer

Approaching Barry's Landing

I stopped at the top of this very steep hill down to the water and let Barry take it from here -- I did not want to have to climb this one!

Here it is, Barry's Landing!  Gorgeous, isn't it?  

Barry rode down and back up (ouch).  After all, it was named after him.

GRUNT!

Halfway done, it was now time to turn our wheels around and do the entire thing in reverse.  But first, snack time.

I won't lie, the way back was tough. The first two thirds was mostly climbing, and my legs were tired!  But, we got 'er done.  We were rewarded with a very nice view of our campground from way up high right before crossing the Wyoming state line.  And after that, a screaming descent.  THAT was fun!

Horseshoe Bend Campground in the distance

A quick stop for a photo by the Bighorn Canyon sign, then back into the campground and another excellent descent capped off an amazing day.

Next stop:  Yellowstone!