Big Horn Route

Fun Fact: The town of Big Horn was once larger than the town of Sheridan.
Popular local grinder from the historic little town of Big Horn to Sheridan and back.
31.4 Miles. 46% Gravel, 54% Paved.
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate. Rideable: Year-Round.
Amenities: Several. Cell Service: Spotty further out.

Route Description

Today the town of Big Horn still looks a bit like it did at the turn of the century and for a stop at the tiny log cabin known as the Bozeman Trail Museum, you can get many a tale on this 1881 settlement’s colorful history. Plains Tribes skirmishes, the Cavalry’s unusual and ill-fated stay, how and why polo became so big in this far-away place, and what happened here along the Bozeman Trail are stories you can take along with you as you ride this route.

Hilly characterizes the gravel portion of this ride where the paved segments tend more towards long drawn-out grade changes. All of the gravel is well maintained and fall within category 1 & 2 on the ISGG, Industry Standard Guide to Gravel, except for the alternative route on Big Horn Rd which lands firmly in Category 3.

As far as bike friendly, the gravel is wide and for the most part the pavement has rideable shoulders. The segments of country riding have little traffic, but the populated segments and highways can be very busy during peak traffic hours. A pleasant alternative is to ride the Sheridan Pathway through town. Get the map here.

There are three general opportunities for refreshments along the loop- the towns of Big Horn and Sheridan, and the Big Horn Y- so no going hungry or thirsty on this one.

If only gravel is what you want and you’d rather avoid the bustle of town, one of the nicest mid 20-mile grinds around is the out-and-back loop from Big Horn described below.

This ride also encompasses a portion of the popular Dead Swede Grave Race/Ride/Tour and Trailfest held annually on the first Saturday in June. If you’re looking for a fun event to loop into your year, check it out at thedeadswede.com and on our website.

Detailed Directions

You can start this ride at any point along the route however the locals prefer the quaint little historic town of Big Horn with its several happening establishments including one of the best stone fired pizza joints in the region; or the Big Horn Y which is one of those unique rural gas stations featuring food, liquor, and occasional live music. For this purpose, we’ll take it from the town of Big Horn in a clockwise direction.

Parking is no problem in Big Horn, there’s only one main street and it offers many opportunities. To begin this ride, you will turn left on to the paved Hwy 335 and head west for ~1 mile, followed by a right turn on to the graveled Beaver Creek Road (Co. 87). This will be your first and longest segment of gravel clocking in at just under 10-miles.

After 5.4-miles on Beaver Creek Road you’ll come to what looks like a main gravel road teeing off to the left called Big Horn Road. Though it starts large, this is actually a spectacular stretch of dry-weather only road that’s seldom maintained or traveled. If it’s muddy or you’re on the wrong bike for this, stay on the better gravel of Beaver Creek Road. Either way you go, you’ll eventually intersect Big Goose Road (Hwy 331).

Once you’ve intersected Big Goose Road (Hwy 331): If you’d like to do the mid 20-mile ride that is mainly on gravel instead of the larger loop through town, backtrack to your vehicle on either Big Horn Road, Beckton Hall Road or Beaver Creek Road.

If you’re doing the 31-mile ride through Sheridan, turn right once on Big Goose Road. Once in Sheridan you can take any number of roads that run south out of town, but the most direct will be Thurmond Street to Big Horn Avenue. Once on Big Horn Avenue, turn west on Paradise Park Road to hook another 4-miles of gravel called Upper Road. Upper Road will deposit you back onto Hwy 335 which takes you back to Big Horn.

If taking the Sheridan Pathways through town, stay on Loucks Street thru downtown and hook the pathway on the east side of River Street. This will add ~2.4 miles to the overall ride. Click here for a map of Sheridan Pathways, courtesy City of Sheridan.

Quick and Dirty

Popular local town and country ride generally starting at one of Sheridan’s breweries, a unique rural gas station featuring food and live music, or the historic town of Big Horn and it’s several happening establishments. Hilly characterizes the gravel, where the paved segments tend more towards long drawn-out grade changes. If gravel only is your thing, this ride offers one of the nicest out-and-back grinds around.