Medicine Wheel
Table of Contents
Medicine Wheel
A Family Road Trip to the Medicine Wheel: Ancient Stones, Big Sky, and 7,000 Years of History
You've checked off Old Faithful. You've sat in traffic watching bison cross the road. You've walked the Grand Prismatic boardwalk with a thousand other people.
Now let me tell you about a place that'll give your family something completely different. Something they'll actually remember years from now.
The Medicine Wheel sits at 9,640 feet in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains, about three hours from Yellowstone's East Entrance. It's an 80-foot circle of stones laid out nearly 10,000 feet in the sky, where Native Americans have gathered for ceremony, healing, and star-tracking for 7,000 years. Yes, 7,000. People were coming to this mountain before the pyramids were built.
You'll drive one of the most spectacular roads in Wyoming to get there. Walk 1.5 miles at altitude. Stand at a sacred site that still hosts ceremonies today.
This is living history. The thin air, the endless views, the prayer bundles tied to the fence. It all adds up to an experience your kids won't get from another geyser stop.
But here's what you actually need to know before you go. Because this trip requires some planning.
Key Takeaways
- The Medicine Wheel is a sacred, active site still used for Native American ceremonies. Specific visitor protocols apply, and you'll need to teach your kids the rules before you arrive.
- Altitude will affect everyone in your family at 9,640 feet. The 3-mile roundtrip walk isn't technically hard, but thin air changes everything. Plan 3-4 hours minimum for the visit.
- Two routes over the mountains, completely different challenges. US-14 is scenic and manageable for most RVs. US-14A has 10% grades and hairpin turns. Large RVs should avoid it entirely.
- Summer only, weather-dependent access. The road closes late September through June (sometimes into July). Even in August, bring jackets.
- This is an astronomical observatory nearly as old as Stonehenge. The stone alignments track solstices and star risings with stunning precision. Your kids are about to get a real history lesson.
What Exactly Is the Medicine Wheel?
Picture a circle of limestone boulders on an exposed plateau where you can see forever in every direction.
The Bighorn Basin sprawls below you. Montana's Pryor Mountains shimmer on the horizon. At the center sits a hollow stone cairn about 12 feet across. From this hub, 28 rock spokes radiate outward to a ring about 80 feet in diameter. Around this outer circle, six smaller stone cairns mark specific points.
The stones themselves are about the size of a loaf of bread. Someone carried them up this mountain by hand. Multiple people, over thousands of years.
Most websites will tell you the Medicine Wheel is 300 to 800 years old. That's not exactly wrong, but it's wildly incomplete.
The Real Timeline: 7,000 Years, Not 300
Here's what actually happened.
A piece of wood found embedded in the western cairn was dated using tree-ring analysis. Its last growth ring was from 1760. So we know for certain that part of the structure was built or modified around that time.
But archaeological evidence from the surrounding landscape shows Native Americans have been coming to Medicine Mountain for nearly 7,000 years.
The wheel isn't a monument built in one summer by one group of people. It's a composite structure. The central cairn is likely the oldest part, with the spokes, rim, and outer cairns added over many generations.
This is a sacred landscape that has been revered, used, and added to for millennia. For families looking to give their kids a genuine history lesson (not just a tourist stop), understanding this layered timeline makes all the difference.
An Ancient Observatory Built by Master Astronomers
In the 1970s, astronomer John Eddy made a discovery that changed how scientists understood the Medicine Wheel.
He proved it's an ancient astronomical observatory.
Specific pairs of cairns align with key celestial events. On June 21, if you sight from one cairn through the central hub, you'll see exactly where the sun rises. Another cairn pair marks the sunset on the same day.
Other alignments point to the heliacal rising of three important stars: Aldebaran, Rigel, and Sirius. Heliacal rising means the first day each year a star becomes visible on the eastern horizon just before sunrise. These risings would have served as a precise calendar, signaling the coming of the solstice and marking ceremonial times.
The 28 spokes? For many Plains tribes, 28 is a sacred number representing the days in a lunar cycle. The 28 spokes likely mirror the 28 rafters used in constructing a Sun Dance lodge.
The people who built this were tracking the cosmos with stunning accuracy. Their ceremonies and lives were deeply intertwined with the cycles of sun, moon, and stars.
That's the kind of thing your kids won't learn from watching Old Faithful go off.
Still Sacred, Still Active
This isn't an abandoned artifact or a historical curiosity.
The Medicine Wheel is an active, profoundly sacred place for many Native American tribes: Arapaho, Blackfeet, Cheyenne, Crow, and Shoshone. It's a physical manifestation of the Sacred Hoop, representing the Earth's boundary, the Four Directions, the cycles of life, and the interconnectedness of all things.
For generations, people have come here for healing, prayer, and vision quests.
Crow legend tells of Burnt Face, who fasted at the wheel and was healed of his wounds. A similar Blackfoot story tells of Scar Face, whose scars were miraculously removed. Chief Washakie of the Shoshone and Chief Plenty Coups of the Crow both prayed here.
In the late 1980s, the site nearly became a full-blown tourist attraction. Parking lots, gift shops, easy vehicle access. Tribal elders fought back.
The resulting 1996 Historic Preservation Plan protects the wheel and 23,000 surrounding acres, ensuring it remains a place for traditional ceremony while allowing respectful public visitation.
That collaboration between tribes, preservation agencies, and the U.S. Forest Service? That's a story worth sharing with your kids. About respect, advocacy, and protecting what matters.
Getting There: Choosing Your Route Over the Bighorns
You have two primary routes over the Bighorn Mountains. They could not be more different.
Choosing wrong can mean white-knuckling your steering wheel for an hour. Or discovering your RV brakes smell like burning rubber halfway down a mountain.
US-14 (Bighorn Scenic Byway) vs. US-14A (Medicine Wheel Passage)
US-14 runs 58 miles through lush forests and wide meadows, passing Shell Falls along the way. It's the gentler route, though "gentle" is relative when you're talking about crossing a mountain range.
You'll face long, steady grades, especially descending from Burgess Junction toward Shell Canyon. Most RVs and trailers can handle this route if you drive carefully and use lower gears on descents.
US-14A is 27 miles of steep drama.
This is the direct route to the Medicine Wheel turnoff. It features 10% grades and sharp hairpin turns as it climbs out of the Bighorn Basin. The views are spectacular. The road demands your complete attention.
Large RVs and trailers should avoid this route entirely. Those grades and turns are hazardous for big rigs.
| Feature | US-14 (Bighorn Scenic Byway) | US-14A (Medicine Wheel Passage) |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 58 miles | 27 miles |
| Scenery | Forests, meadows, deep canyons, waterfalls | High-altitude desert, dramatic cliffs, alpine meadows |
| Key Stops | Shell Falls, Shell Canyon | Medicine Wheel, Porcupine Falls trailhead, Bucking Mule Falls trailhead |
| Difficulty | Moderate. Long steady grades. | Difficult. Steep 10% grades, sharp hairpin turns. |
| RV/Trailer | Manageable for most if you're cautious | Not recommended for large rigs |
Exact Directions to the Medicine Wheel
From Lovell, Wyoming (the closest town):
- Take US-14A east for about 25 miles into the mountains
- Turn onto Forest Road 12
- Drive the final couple miles to the parking area and interpreter's cabin
From Yellowstone's East Entrance or Cody, you'll take US-14 or US-14A east. Plan on about 2.5 to 3 hours of driving from Cody to the Medicine Wheel parking area.
If You're Driving an RV
I've seen too many overheated brakes and stressed-out drivers on US-14A.
If you're in a large Class A motorhome or pulling a long fifth-wheel, skip 14A completely. The 10% grades are no joke.
US-14 is more manageable, but you still need to use your engine to brake on the long descent from Burgess Junction. Shift into a lower gear and let your transmission do the work. Don't ride your brakes or you'll smell them before you see the problem.
The safest strategy for RV families? Set up base camp in a campground near Lovell or Greybull. Take your passenger vehicle for a day-trip loop over both highways.
You'll enjoy the scenery without the stress. And you can stop at pullouts without blocking traffic.
Don't Miss: Shell Falls
If you take US-14, stop at Shell Falls.
It's a short walk from a large parking area to a viewing platform where you'll watch Shell Creek drop 120 feet over ancient granite cliffs. The flow is impressive: 3,600 gallons per second thundering into the canyon.
The visitor center has interpretive signs explaining the geology. It's an easy, rewarding stop for families.
What to Expect: The Walk and the Site
From the parking lot and interpreter's cabin, the Medicine Wheel is still 1.5 miles away. That's a 3-mile round trip on a wide gravel road.
At first, this might seem frustrating. You drove all this way, why can't you just drive to the wheel?
But the walk is part of the experience.
It gives you time to acclimate to the altitude. To slow your breathing, to let the noise of civilization fade behind you. The views are stunning. The Bighorn Basin sprawling below, the Pryor Mountains of Montana in the distance.
There are benches along the way where you can rest and take it all in.
At 9,640 feet, the thin air will make even fit adults breathe harder than normal. Go slow. Take breaks. This isn't a race.
Kids under 10 might struggle more with the elevation than the distance, so watch for altitude sickness symptoms: headache, nausea, dizziness.
Arriving at the Wheel
When you reach the site, you'll walk on a designated path around the outside of the stone circle.
You cannot enter the interior. It's roped off to protect both the ancient structure and its sacred nature.
The wind is almost always blowing up here. The silence is profound. You'll see colorful prayer bundles tied to the fence: bits of cloth, tobacco, sage, and other offerings left during ceremonies.
Don't touch them.
The stones themselves look simple at first. Just rocks on the ground. Then you start to understand what you're actually seeing. A structure built over thousands of years, aligned with celestial events, still used for sacred purposes today.
You're standing where people have stood for 7,000 years, watching the same sun rise over the same mountains.
That realization lands differently when you're actually there. Wind in your face, sky stretching forever in every direction.
How to Visit with Respect: The Rules That Matter
You're a guest at a sacred site. Before you go, teach your kids these rules. Make sure they understand why they matter.
Never touch the stones or prayer offerings. Not one rock in the wheel. Not the bundles tied to the fence. This is sacred space. Those offerings were placed during prayer. Touching them is the equivalent of walking into someone's church and rearranging the altar.
Walk clockwise around the wheel. Follow the sun's path. This is traditional protocol.
Stay on designated paths. The alpine tundra around the wheel is incredibly fragile. One footstep can damage plants that took decades to grow. Stay on the gravel and wooden walkways.
If a ceremony is happening, wait. The site may be temporarily closed for 45 to 60 minutes for private Native American ceremonies. If you arrive during one, keep a respectful distance, remain quiet, and do not take photographs.
Just wait. It's not long.
Witnessing (from a distance) the fact that this site is still actively used for sacred purposes might be the most meaningful part of your family's visit.
Dogs: Allowed on leash for the 1.5-mile walk, but not permitted on the final path immediately surrounding the wheel itself.
No drones. Strictly prohibited over the entire National Historic Landmark.
Keep voices down. This is a place for quiet reflection, not loud conversations or shouting to kids.
Practical Information: Hours, Season, What to Bring
When It's Open: Mid-June through mid-September, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, weather permitting. The high-altitude road is closed for winter, typically from late September through June (sometimes into July if snow lingers).
What to Bring:
- Layers (even in July it can be cold and windy)
- Waterproof jacket (afternoon thunderstorms are common at this elevation)
- Sunscreen and hats (UV is intense at altitude)
- Lots of water (no water available at the site)
- Snacks for kids
- Camera
Facilities: Pit toilets at the main parking area and near the wheel. No potable water. No food service. No cell service.
Accessibility: Visitors with documented mobility challenges can arrange to drive directly to the small parking area next to the wheel. Contact Bighorn National Forest beforehand to make arrangements.
Cost: No entrance fee.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning gives you fewer crowds and helps you avoid afternoon thunderstorms. The site is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., so you won't catch the actual sunrise. But morning visits offer the most peaceful experience.
Connecting This to Your Yellowstone Trip
After visiting the Medicine Wheel, you'll loop back toward Yellowstone through some of Wyoming's most authentic small towns.
The Route Home
From the Medicine Wheel area at Burgess Junction, US-14 takes you down through the Bighorns and into the Bighorn Basin. It's about a 4-hour drive from the junction to Yellowstone's East Entrance, not counting stops.
Break up the drive with these stops:
Greybull: Small-town Wyoming at its best. The Greybull Museum has impressive dinosaur fossils found in the area. The Museum of Flight and Aerial Firefighting displays massive planes once used to fight wildfires. Kids love seeing something that huge up close.
Cody: Founded by Buffalo Bill Cody himself, this town is the gateway to Yellowstone's East Entrance. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is world-class (plan on 3 to 4 hours minimum). From June through August, catch the Cody Nite Rodeo. A genuine Western experience that's perfect for families.
Your kids will talk about watching real cowboys and cowgirls long after they've forgotten which geyser is which.
Making It a Multi-Day Adventure
Consider staying overnight in Cody to fully experience the town. You'll find everything from budget motels to boutique hotels. And it's perfectly positioned for entering Yellowstone the next day through the spectacular East Entrance route.
The drive from Cody to the East Entrance follows the North Fork of the Shoshone River through stunning canyon country. Once you're back in the park, you're ideally positioned to explore Yellowstone Lake and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
A Local Legend: The Little People of the Bighorns
While you're exploring the Bighorn Mountains, you might hear whispers of another presence. The Little People.
According to Shoshone and Crow legends, these mountains are home to a race of small, powerful beings called the Nimerigar or Awwakkulé. Standing between 20 inches and three feet tall, they're said to be ferocious warriors capable of killing a full-grown elk. But they also possess spiritual wisdom and healing powers.
Stories describe them living in caves and deep forests. Some tales warn they can be dangerous. Others tell of them helping those in need.
In 1932, two prospectors discovered a 14-inch mummy sitting cross-legged in a cave in the nearby San Pedro Mountains. The find sparked immediate speculation about the Little People legends. Scientists eventually examined it, though the mummy itself later disappeared.
Theories ranged from it being an infant to a member of a genuinely small human population.
Real or legend? Your kids can decide for themselves.
Common Questions Families Ask
Is the hike too difficult for kids?
The 3-mile round trip is on a well-maintained gravel road, so footing isn't the issue. The challenge is altitude.
Kids 8 and older who are used to walking can typically handle it with breaks. Younger kids might struggle more with the thin air than the distance.
Bring plenty of snacks and water, go slow, and don't push if someone's really struggling. Some families with very young children (under 6) find the combination of distance and altitude too much. Know your kids' limits.
What happens if a ceremony is taking place when we arrive?
Wait patiently. Most ceremonies last 45 to 60 minutes.
Observe quietly from a respectful distance. Don't take photos or approach the site until it's reopened. Use the time to sit, enjoy the views, and talk with your kids about why the site is sacred and why we respect other people's spiritual practices.
Can we visit at sunrise or sunset to see the solstice alignment?
The site's official hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., so you won't catch the actual sunrise.
If you're visiting near the summer solstice (June 21), a morning visit is still your best bet for fewer crowds. The astronomical alignments are most dramatic on the solstice itself, but remember this is a sacred site, not an Instagram opportunity.
Is US-14A really that dangerous for RVs?
Yes.
If you're driving a large Class A motorhome (over 30 feet) or pulling a long fifth-wheel or travel trailer, the 10% grades and hairpin turns on US-14A are genuinely hazardous. Your brakes will overheat, and the tight turns are difficult to navigate.
Stick to US-14 or US-16 (Cloud Peak Skyway to the south, which is even easier). This isn't being overcautious. It's basic mountain driving safety.
How much time should we budget?
For just the Medicine Wheel visit: 3 to 4 hours minimum. That includes the 3-mile round-trip walk and time at the site.
For the full day trip from Yellowstone or Cody: 8 to 10 hours. This includes drive time, the wheel visit, and a few stops along the way (Shell Falls, lunch in a small town, etc.).
If you want to add serious hiking (Porcupine Falls, Bucking Mule Falls), consider an overnight in Lovell or Greybull.
Can we bring our dog?
Dogs are allowed on leash for the 1.5-mile walk from the parking area. However, they're not permitted on the final loop path immediately surrounding the stone wheel itself, out of respect for the sacred site.
Plan on someone staying back with your dog while others walk the final section.
What if the weather looks questionable?
At this elevation, afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. If you see dark clouds building, head back.
You're completely exposed on the plateau. No shelter, no trees. Lightning is a real danger.
Early morning visits are safer for this reason (and generally more peaceful).
Are there other Medicine Wheels we can visit?
Yes. There's another Medicine Wheel in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area near Fort Smith, Montana. It's smaller and receives far fewer visitors.
The Bighorn Medicine Wheel is the most famous and best-preserved of the approximately 70 stone circles found across the Northern Plains. But many exist throughout Montana, Wyoming, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
Why This Trip Matters
Your kids will forget 90% of what they see in Yellowstone. They'll blur together which geyser erupted when, which canyon had which waterfall.
That's just how memory works.
But they'll remember standing at nearly 10,000 feet where the wind never stops blowing and ancient stones mark the movement of stars. They'll remember learning that people built this 7,000 years ago without machines or blueprints. They'll remember seeing prayer offerings and understanding that this place still matters to people today.
They'll remember the drive over the mountains, the altitude making them breathless, the sense of being on top of the world.
And if you've done your job as a parent (teaching them about respect for sacred places, about listening more than talking, about the difference between tourist attractions and places that require reverence), they'll remember that too.
The Medicine Wheel isn't the biggest or flashiest stop you'll make in Wyoming.
But it might be the most meaningful.
And that's worth 3 hours of your vacation.
