Climbing and Caving

Rock climbers from around the world visit to climb the dolomite cliffs and granite spires of the Bighorns. The vertical to overhanging pocketed faces of dolomite offer elite physical challenges and the remote granite spires and walls offer sustained crack climbs, solitude, and adventure. While rock climbing in the Bighorns is aesthetic and unique it is important to remember that it is an integral part of a larger ecosystem, public forest, and in some wilderness. These opportunities are set aside for people to enjoy in a natural state for generations to come.

Caving

Planning to visit a cave on the Bighorn National Forest? Start here!

The unique geology of the Bighorn Mountains provides caving opportunities in the Bighorn National Forest.  A registration is required to enter any cave in the Forest.  Please complete this registration form and return it to:  sm.fs.bighorninfo@usda.gov. Please allow up to three business days for processing. 

What is White-Nose Syndrome?  White-nose syndrome is considered one of the worst wildlife diseases in modern times. It is caused by a fungus, and people can unknowingly spread the disease.

• All known cave hibernacula are closed during the winter hibernation period.
• All known cave maternity colonies are closed during the summer pup-rearing period.
• Please visit our Alerts page for cave closures.
• Registration is required to access caves that are open.
• Do not use clothing or equipment previously used at an infected or suspected site. View a map that shows where White-nose syndrome has spread.
• Follow recommended Decontamination procedures.
• Visit the USFS Rocky Mountain Region page for more detailed information.  

Mountain Climbing

Cloud Peak, the highest point in the Bighorn Range, at 13,167 feet is blanketed in snow for a large part of the year. Most of the higher ground doesn't show bare ground until July. Most of the highest peaks are nearby and within Cloud Peak Wilderness, which has specific restrictions to protect this special place.

Rock Climbing

As the popularity of sport climbing has increased over the past several decades, recreational rock climbing has increased significantly. Increased use in the area has led to concerns including overcrowded parking and roadway safety, health and environmental concerns from human and pet waste, and user-created trails causing degrading slopes and soil erosion, including threats to natural and cultural resources, wildlife, botanical species, and geological resources.

What can you do?

Before climbing, make sure you are properly equipped with the right gear and know-how.

Please respect cultural resources by leaving artifacts and petroglyphs as you find them. All archaeological sites, artifacts and cultural resources are protected by state and federal law. For more information, visit Best Practices for Climbing and Climbing Managment on the Bighorn National Forest.

 The Bighorn National Forest is in the process of writing a climbing management plan to help protect from the degradation of the unique climbing attributes found here. Bighorn National Forest climbing managers are collaborating with the public including the climbing community to develop site-specific plans that may consider procedures for the review and authorization of new climbing route development. Until these plans are finalized constructing new climbing routes or trails on the Bighorn National Forest is prohibited. Your cooperation will only enhance and protect the resources that are currently enjoyed and ensure that Tensleep Canyon and the Bighorn National Forest will remain a special place for climbing into the future.

 Climbers are responsible for assessing the safety and condition of any fixed anchors they choose to use. This equipment is not the property of the Forest Service. It is the responsibility of each climber to assess the safety of all aspects of any climb and make informed personal decisions based on one’s assessment and ability. It is also the responsibility of the climber, developer, and rebolter to follow best practices in development and rebolting. If you plan to do rebolting work please complete the re-bolting form and email to sm.fs.bighorninfo@usda.gov. 

Please report issues with bolts to our partner, the Bighorn Climbers' Coalition, by submitting a bad bolt form. This form goes to an external location and is managed by the Bighorn Climbers' Coalition.

Seasonal closures

The open landscapes and high canyon walls of the Bighorns are excellent habitat for peregrine falcon, prairie falcon, and other nesting raptors and migratory birds. The presence of climbers near nests can be distressing to parent birds and disturbance from climbing activities may force birds to abandon eggs or chicks. To protect nesting sites and comply with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Executive Order 13186, and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Acts, Forest Service wildlife biologists and climbing rangers monitor climbing areas for potential conflicts. Certain cliffs or specific climbing routes are seasonally closed to climbing during the spring and summer months to prevent interference with nesting sites. Once nest sites have been selected by the birds, unoccupied cliff areas may be re-opened for climbing. If you have questions, please contact the Bighorn National Forest at 307-674-2600 or email sm.fs.bighorninfo@usda.gov. 

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