Tensleep Canyon

In August 2025, we visited Tensleep Canyon in Tensleep, Wyoming. It is on Wyoming Route 16, on the mountain pass between Buffalo, WY and Tensleep, WY. Tensleep gets its name from the Native Americans, as it was located 10 days travel to different trading sites, or 10 nights of sleeping. The Tensleep Canyon is magnificent to travel through and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. We highly recommend traveling through Tensleep Canyon.

We chance upon this beautiful drive while transiting from Badlands National Park, South Dakota to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. At Buffalo, we veer off I-90 to hit the scenic US Highway “Sweet 16” that takes us through Big Horn National Forest to Tensleep. We are surprised to see geologic markers on the roadside calling out rock formations that are many hundred million years old. It is an absolute joy to drive the Mustang on the winding roads; it handles beautifully along the cliff-hugging curves through Tensleep Canyon. Beautiful!

Drove in from Buffalo. Views in and across the canyon itself are wonderful. The drive afterwards was pretty plain for a while but the canyon is absolutely magical.

We drove our motorhome through this canyon from Work and to Buffalo and stayed at the Sitting Bull Campground one night. This is an amazing place..a must see. We will be back when we have more time.

Beautiful drive. Adding it to my definitely return list. The colors were spectacular! Would love to learn more about the topography

Spectacular scenery along this highway driving through the Big Horn mountains. Take the time to stop and enjoy the views.

Drove there in the early 1970s. We went there in a 1956 Chevy Bel Air. It was dirt road to get there. It was spectacular.

Amazing drive on our way to Yellowstone definitely a don't miss drive.