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Medicine Wheel Passage: US-14A, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming
Photo: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0

Drives Wyoming Cody, the Bighorns and Northern Wyoming

Medicine Wheel Passage: US-14A

US 14A · Burgess Junction → Lovell

Leisurely52 mi1 hr 15 min2,200 ft climbHigh point ≈ 9,400 ftOne way
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The drive

US 14A is called the Medicine Wheel Passage between Burgess Junction and Lovell. This drive starts at Burgess Junction, where the road leaves the Bighorn Scenic Byway, and crosses the high country of the Bighorn Mountains, topping out around 9,400 feet.

The second half is a long descent to Lovell on grades that reach 10 percent, with the Bighorn Basin opening out below. Most of the 51.7 miles are gentle, with a single twisty stretch about halfway along, so the drive takes about 1 hr 15 min.

The mountain section is closed every winter. WYDOT gates it as a safety measure, because heavy snow, drifting and light winter traffic make plowing impractical.

Along the way

  1. Burgess Junction
  2. Lovell
Elevation
2,200 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 9,400 ft
Burgess JunctionLovell
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
Burgess JunctionLovell
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • WYDOT closes the mountain part of US 14A each winter, usually from about December, with gates at Burgess Junction and near milepost 76 on the Lovell side.
  • The road usually reopens by Memorial Day weekend, weather permitting.
  • The descent toward Lovell has grades up to 10 percent, so use a low gear rather than riding the brakes.
  • When the road is closed, US 14 over Granite Pass through Greybull is the alternate between Sheridan and Lovell.

Gated from about December 1 to Memorial Day weekend. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check WYDOT road closures and conditions.

Questions about this drive

Is the Medicine Wheel Passage (US 14A) open in winter?

No. WYDOT closes US 14A's mountain section each winter, starting around December 1, and it normally reopens by Memorial Day weekend if the weather allows.

How long does the Medicine Wheel Passage take to drive?

Burgess Junction to Lovell on US 14A is 51.7 miles and takes about 1 hr 15 min.

How steep is US 14A down to Lovell?

The maximum grade on the Medicine Wheel Passage is 10 percent, and the road has truck turnoffs on the way down.

What is the detour when US 14A is closed?

WYDOT points drivers to US 14 over Granite Pass and through Greybull as the alternate between Sheridan and Lovell.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Medicine Wheel Passage: US-14A, from Burgess Junction to Lovell