Wyoming ATV Trails Near Sheridan
Sheridan is a handy starting point for exploring Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains, but finding an ATV or UTV route that is actually open can take more work than picking a direction and heading uphill. This guide explains how to plan rides near Sheridan, check route access, choose a suitable area, and prepare for changing mountain conditions.
Where to look for ATV trails near Sheridan
Use the Bighorn National Forest as your starting point
West of Sheridan, the Bighorn National Forest is the main place to begin researching public riding opportunities. Routes can be reached from several communities and highway corridors, including the Dayton area and roads leading toward the Bighorn Mountains. The landscape changes quickly as you climb: a ride that starts among foothills and ranch country may lead toward forest, steep grades, and high-elevation terrain.
Treat the forest as a place to find designated routes, not as an open riding area. A road or track visible on a phone map is not automatically open to motorized travel, and a route that is open to a full-size vehicle may have restrictions that matter to an ATV or side-by-side. Check the current Bighorn National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map, or MVUM, for the route you plan to ride. The map’s designations and dates matter more than an unverified line on a general navigation app.
The [Riding the Bighorns From Sheridan] route topic is a useful starting point for thinking about access from town, but plan each ride around official route information. If you are comparing forest roads with narrower trails, also review [Wyoming's 50-Inch Trail Limit] and [Which Wyoming Trails Are Held to 50 Inches]. Width restrictions can rule out a side-by-side even when the route appears to be a good fit for an ATV.
Think in terms of access corridors, not a single named trail
Sheridan-area riders often use the surrounding communities and mountain approaches to organize a trip. Dayton and Ranchester are useful reference points when you are looking west toward the forest, while Sheridan works well as a place to stock up, check conditions, and make a final plan. The route you choose should match your machine, your group’s experience, and the official designation—not simply the name of a nearby road.
Red Grade Road and the highways that climb into the Bighorns can help you understand the area’s geography and reach trailheads or other access points. But an approach road is not necessarily an ATV trail, and reaching a forest boundary does not mean you can ride on every connecting track. Check whether the route is open to your type of vehicle, where the legal riding segment begins and ends, and whether the route has seasonal restrictions.
| Planning question | What to check before you go |
|---|---|
| Is the route open to motorized use? | Confirm the route on the current official MVUM or with the managing agency. |
| Will my machine fit? | Check route width limits, vehicle restrictions, and any posted signs. |
| Can I reach the route legally? | Verify the road or trail connection from your starting point, including access near private land. |
| Is it open for the season? | Check dates, closures, snow conditions, and notices for the route or trailhead. |
| Do I need a Wyoming permit? | Confirm the permit rules for the route and land manager. |
| Is the route appropriate for my group? | Consider distance, elevation, surface, weather exposure, and rider experience. |
For navigation, a tool such as onX Offroad can help you compare mapped routes and get oriented before a ride. Use it as a planning aid, then cross-check the route against the official MVUM and any current notices. If a map layer and a sign on the ground disagree, do not assume the digital route is permission to continue. The practical guide [Wyoming Trail Maps and MVUMs] explains why checking the official map is a critical part of route planning.
How to choose a route for your ATV or UTV
Match the route to the machine
A nimble ATV and a wide side-by-side do not necessarily have the same options. Some forest trails have width limits, while forest roads may be too rough, steep, or exposed for an inexperienced driver or passenger. Before you set out, confirm the maximum permitted machine width and any vehicle-type restrictions for every segment on your planned route. Measure your machine in the way the route rules specify; guessing based on the manufacturer’s advertised width can lead to a frustrating surprise at a narrow trail entrance.
If your group includes both ATVs and UTVs, plan around the machine with the greatest restrictions. A route that fits a narrow quad may not accommodate a wider side-by-side, and turning around can be difficult on a tight or sloped trail. The related guide [Wyoming Trails for a Wide Side-by-Side] can help you think through that difference before you load up.
Also consider the route surface and terrain. Loose rock, ruts, steep grades, and water crossings can feel very different in a small ATV than in a heavier UTV. A beginner may be more comfortable on a maintained, designated forest road than on a narrow, uneven trail. Leave extra time for your slowest rider and avoid planning a route that only works if everyone moves quickly.
Plan a ride that fits your day
A map can make two routes look close together even when the actual drive between trailheads takes much longer. Mountain roads are not always quick, and the group may need frequent stops to adjust gear, check a map, or let faster riders regroup. Estimate riding time conservatively, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area or traveling with children or less-experienced riders.
A practical day plan has a clear turnaround point and a backup option. Decide in advance what you will do if clouds build, a route is blocked, or a rider is tired. Tell someone who is not on the ride where you expect to go and when you expect to return. Cell service can be unreliable away from towns and highway corridors, so do not build your safety plan around being able to call for help from every trail junction.
For a first outing, choose a shorter, simpler route and leave room to explore only where the official map allows. You can always plan a longer trip after learning how your group handles the terrain, elevation, and changing weather. The page [Wyoming Trails for Beginners] is a helpful companion when you are deciding how ambitious your first ride should be.
When to ride and what conditions to expect
Check seasonal access before driving to the trailhead
The Bighorn Mountains hold snow well into the riding season, and higher routes may open later than lower-elevation roads. A trail that was accessible during a previous visit may still be snowed in, muddy, or closed when you return. Spring thaw can also leave a route soft enough that vehicle traffic causes damage. Do not treat a familiar calendar date as proof that a route is ready.
Before leaving Sheridan, check the latest information from the land manager for the specific road or trail you intend to use. Look for seasonal closure dates, temporary restrictions, fire-related notices, and conditions at the elevation you will reach. A general forecast for town may not reflect wind, cold, or storms higher in the mountains. The guide [Bighorn Roads Closed Until June] offers useful context for why early-season access can differ from what you see in town.
Late-season rides need the same caution. Snow can arrive at elevation while lower areas remain pleasant, and daylight gets shorter as the season progresses. If conditions are uncertain, pick a lower or shorter option rather than committing to a remote route with limited ways back. For a broader look at timing and closures, see [Wyoming Trail Closures to Check First].
Prepare for mountain weather and limited services
The weather can change quickly in the Bighorns. A warm start in Sheridan does not guarantee a comfortable afternoon on an exposed ridge or at a higher trailhead. Bring layers, rain protection, water, food, and basic repair supplies. A small puncture kit, tire gauge, tools matched to your machine, and a way to carry extra fuel can make a minor problem manageable instead of trip-ending.
Elevation can make a familiar ride feel more demanding. Riders may tire more quickly, and machines can respond differently at altitude. Keep a steady pace, take breaks, and give everyone time to drink water and check how they are feeling. A group should agree on signals and regrouping points before entering an area where riders can get separated.
Before the trip, review [Wyoming Riding at Altitude] and [Afternoon Thunderstorms in the High Country] for additional planning considerations. Use onX Offroad or another navigation tool to help track your route, but carry a backup plan for when a phone battery dies, a device loses signal, or a map layer does not show a closure. A paper map or downloaded official map can be valuable when you need to confirm where a route goes.
Access, permits, and responsible riding
Confirm permits and route rules
Do not assume that a permit, registration, or sticker from another state automatically covers riding in Wyoming. Check the Wyoming ORV permit requirements for your trip, including where the permit must be displayed and whether your particular machine and route fall under the rules. The articles [Wyoming ORV Permits Explained] and [Wyoming ORV Permit for a Visiting Rider] cover the basics for visitors planning to ride.
A permit does not make a closed route legal, and it does not replace land-manager rules. The route must still be designated for motorized use, open for the season, and suitable for your vehicle. If you are unsure whether a route is open, ask the relevant land office before riding rather than relying on a trail name, an old online post, or another rider’s recollection.
Carry your permit information and route map where you can reach them. At a checkpoint or trailhead, a rider may be asked to show that the machine is permitted and that the group understands where it is allowed to travel. For more about what to expect, see [What to Expect at a Trailhead Warden Checkpoint].
Stay on designated routes and respect other users
Ride only on routes designated for your machine. Cutting across meadows, bypassing a closure, or creating a shortcut can damage vegetation and create access problems for everyone who rides after you. Avoid riding in wilderness areas, including the Cloud Peak Wilderness, where motorized travel is not allowed. A route shown nearby on a broad regional map does not mean the wilderness boundary can be crossed.
Expect to share the area with hikers, horseback riders, hunters, ranchers, and other motorized users. Slow down when visibility is limited, approach blind corners carefully, and give horses plenty of space. Follow posted instructions around gates and livestock, and leave gates as you find them unless signs or the landowner direct otherwise. Respect private property boundaries, even when a two-track appears to continue across the land.
When you use onX Offroad or another navigation app, treat it as one part of a careful planning process, not a substitute for route rules or signs. A responsible Sheridan-area ride starts with the official map, a machine that fits the route, and a willingness to turn back if conditions or access are not what you expected.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
