What to expect at Red Grade Trails

Details may change throughout construction. Read the latest project update here.

Closure information provided by Sheridan County Public Works:

Closure Hours

• Subject to updates, Red Grade Road will be temporarily closed during construction.
• Closures are expected Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• One-hour lunchtime opening daily from 12 noon to 1 pm.

What’s closed during work hours?

• Base Trailhead, Springs Trailhead, and The Aspens Trailhead.
• Red Grade Trails system between these trailheads on Red Grade Road.
• Portions of trailhead parking areas may be used for construction staging and not accessible to the public.

What remains open?

• Access to trails on trailheads on weekends, holidays, and outside construction hours.
• Trails outside the project limits (e.g. trails on USFS land or trails accessible by trailheads not listed in the closure) will remain open.

Go somewhere else (and still have a great day)

To help reduce crowding, consider these nearby options:

SCLT Trails and Natural Areas

• Big Goose Natural Area
  • One of the few off-leash trail options away from the mountains
  • Fishing and Paddling access
  • Learn about land and history through hands-on conservation demonstrations, historic features like the streetcar, and interactive exhibits inside the Welcome Center.
• Soldier Ridge Trail System
  • Expect more visitors when Red Grade Trails are closed
  • Nearly 12 miles of singletrack trails with 3 trailheads on Sheridan’s western edge
  • Build your mountain biking skills on Hidden Hoot, a downhill-optimized flow trail
  • Short out-and-backs can take you places like Magpie Draw, Pollywog Pond, Jensen Draw, and a scenic overlook on Soldier Ridge Trail
  • Learn with “History Along the Soldier Ridge Trail” – a GPS-based guided audio tour you can take on your phone or any connected device
• Green Room Trail @ Malcolm Wallop Park
  • Expect more use when Red Grade Trails are closed, but not enough to make it feel crowded
  • Several connections to the paved Sheridan Pathway mean you can explore as much or as little of the trail as you like
  • Park at Malcolm Wallop Park or make your way utilizing the Sheridan Pathway system

SCLT Gravel Routes

Explore 9 curated gravel biking routes across Sheridan County and the surrounding region. Our guide will give you detailed directions, photos, and GPX files for each route.

SCLT Tongue River Water Trail

• Not a hiking or biking trail, but a paddling trail.
• Many access sites offer quick 1-2 hours or longer 4-8 hour floats
• Experience the Sheridan area in a way only possible from a boat.

Other Fantastic Local Places

• Welch Ranch Recreation Area
• Buffalo Run State Lands (approx. 10 miles SE of Sheridan from the intersection of US Hwy 14 & I-90) 
• Bear Davis Park
• Penrose and South Piney Creek trails, both begin in Story
• Tongue River Canyon
• Cutler Hills & Sibley Lake trails accessed from US Hwy 14 in the Bighorn National Forest
• Clear Creek Trails, Buffalo.

Quick trail reminders

With more people using alternative sites, a few basics go a long way:

• Follow posted trail rules and directionality
• Know which uses are allowed on each trail
• Yield appropriately and communicate when passing
• Expect heavier traffic than usual