Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Cloud Peak Wilderness, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Wyoming, USA
- Country
- United States
- Biome
- Alpine granite (2,700–4,015 m)
- Best season
- July – September
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Climbing
- Mountaineering
Key takeaways
- Biome: Alpine granite (2,700–4,015 m)
- Best season: July – September
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Cloud Peak Wilderness
Topic summary
Bighorn Range granite cirques and 250 glacial lakes east of the plains — quiet, remote, and often overlooked.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: July – September
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Alpine granite (2,700–4,015 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Cloud Peak Wilderness trip tools
How to get there
Cloud Peak Wilderness is in north central Wyoming, within Bighorn National Forest in the Bighorn Mountains. Confirm road approaches and suitable trailheads with Bighorn National Forest before traveling.
- Bighorn National Forest
The wilderness lies entirely within this national forest. Use the forest’s visitor information to identify an appropriate trailhead; this is the managing landscape, not a specific entry point.
- Bighorn Mountains
Cloud Peak Wilderness protects the range’s highest country. This is a regional orientation point, not a trailhead; select a verified approach that matches the intended objective.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Cloud Peak Wilderness
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
Animals around Cloud Peak Wilderness
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Cloud Peak WildernessAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Cloud Peak Wilderness
Planning to fish Cloud Peak Wilderness, Wyoming? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Wyoming are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Cloud Peak Wilderness?
- A Wyoming fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Wyoming fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
- Cloud Peak Wilderness may add its own fishing rules on top of Wyoming law — check the managing agency too.
Hunting near Cloud Peak Wilderness
Thinking about hunting Cloud Peak Wilderness, Wyoming? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Wyoming are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Cloud Peak Wilderness?
- Hunting is prohibited or heavily restricted in many national parks, wilderness and protected areas — confirm with the Cloud Peak Wilderness land manager before planning a hunt, and look to surrounding public land.
What do I need to hunt in Wyoming?
- A Wyoming hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
The high country of the Bighorn Mountains
Cloud Peak Wilderness protects 189,039 acres in north central Wyoming, entirely within Bighorn National Forest. Established in 1984 to preserve the wildest section of the Bighorn Mountains, it includes the range’s highest peaks. Cloud Peak and Black Tooth Mountain are two named mountain objectives, while Cloud Peak Glacier is the range’s only remaining active glacier. The defining setting is protected mountain country rather than a road-accessible recreation area. Plan around traveling into the wilderness, not driving between its features. The distinction matters when choosing an objective: a named summit or glacier is a geographic feature, not proof of a maintained trail, straightforward approach, or suitable route for every party. Match ambitions to navigation skills, conditions, and available time.
Travel within a protected wilderness
Wilderness designation shapes both access and the experience on the ground. Motorized and mechanized vehicles, including bicycles, are not allowed within Cloud Peak Wilderness. Its protections also exclude road and building construction, logging, and mining. For trip planning, that means treating the interior as backcountry rather than expecting vehicle access or built facilities at an objective. Camping and fishing are activities to consider, and hunting is allowed in season in national forest wilderness areas. Confirm current activity requirements with the managing agency before departure. Keep the distinction between the surrounding national forest and the designated wilderness clear when planning transport and equipment; an approach through forest land does not make a bicycle or motorized vehicle appropriate for travel inside the wilderness.
Choose an objective before choosing an approach
Cloud Peak, Black Tooth Mountain, and Cloud Peak Glacier give the area clear geographic focal points, but they should not be treated as interchangeable outings. Summit travel and travel near a glacier call for different decisions about equipment, terrain, and acceptable conditions. Start with the kind of trip the party can manage, then obtain current mapping and approach information from Bighorn National Forest. Verify the trailhead, route, elevation demands, and expected travel time before committing to an itinerary. In this high mountain setting, carry weather protection, navigation tools, and enough supplies to handle delays. A conservative turnaround plan is more useful than assuming that reaching a named feature will be straightforward. Leave room to change the objective when conditions or progress do not match the plan.
Route options
- Cloud Peak
A mountain objective among the highest peaks in the Bighorn Mountains. No specific approach is detailed here; obtain route information before deciding whether a summit attempt suits the party.
- Black Tooth Mountain
Another of the wilderness’s highest mountain objectives. Treat it as a destination requiring separate route research, not as a confirmed trail itinerary.
Sample itineraries
- Bighorn Mountains wilderness day hike · 1 day
Plan an out-and-back walk in Cloud Peak Wilderness, entirely within Bighorn National Forest. Choose access and a turnaround point after checking current conditions with the forest. Keep the day focused on mountain scenery rather than committing to a summit.
- Two-night wilderness backpack · 3 days
Plan a self-supported backpack in the wilderness surrounding the highest peaks of the Bighorn Mountains. Use the middle day for exploration appropriate to conditions and experience. Confirm access, camping requirements and route suitability with Bighorn National Forest before setting an itinerary.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring; timing depends on mountain conditions
Treat this high-mountain wilderness as potentially wintry rather than assuming spring means clear trails. Check snow conditions and access before choosing a route, and carry insulation suitable for cold stops.
Summer
Summer; check conditions at your intended elevation
High peaks still require weather protection and conservative turnaround decisions. Do not assume every route is snow-free. Carry layers and verify conditions before planning travel near Cloud Peak Glacier.
Fall
Fall; adjust plans to weather and daylight
Plan for cold conditions and less daylight as the season progresses. Keep mileage flexible and confirm current access. Hunting is allowed in season, so check whether your visit overlaps hunting activity.
Winter
Winter; access and travel conditions require checking
A trip among the Bighorn Mountains' highest peaks requires winter skills and equipment when snow and ice are present. Favor conservative objectives and allow extra time for travel. Confirm access before departure.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring; timing depends on mountain conditions | Treat this high-mountain wilderness as potentially wintry rather than assuming spring means clear trails. Check snow conditions and access before choosing a route, and carry insulation suitable for cold stops. |
| Summer | Summer; check conditions at your intended elevation | High peaks still require weather protection and conservative turnaround decisions. Do not assume every route is snow-free. Carry layers and verify conditions before planning travel near Cloud Peak Glacier. |
| Fall | Fall; adjust plans to weather and daylight | Plan for cold conditions and less daylight as the season progresses. Keep mileage flexible and confirm current access. Hunting is allowed in season, so check whether your visit overlaps hunting activity. |
| Winter | Winter; access and travel conditions require checking | A trip among the Bighorn Mountains' highest peaks requires winter skills and equipment when snow and ice are present. Favor conservative objectives and allow extra time for travel. Confirm access before departure. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current permit, camping and fishing requirements with Bighorn National Forest before your trip.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- High elevation: the wilderness includes the Bighorn Mountains' highest peaks. Adjust effort to your acclimatization and turn back if altitude symptoms develop.
- Mountain weather: carry protection against cold, wind and precipitation, and keep summit objectives optional.
- Snow and ice: check current conditions before committing to high-elevation travel. Cloud Peak Glacier is an active glacier, not an ordinary hiking surface.
- Remote travel: do not expect roads or buildings within the wilderness. Carry navigation tools and enough supplies to manage an unplanned delay.
What to pack for Cloud Peak Wilderness
- Map and compass
- Offline navigation with backup power
- Headlamp
- First-aid kit
- Emergency shelter
- Insulating layers
- Windproof and waterproof outer layers
- Warm hat and gloves
- Footwear suited to expected terrain and conditions
- Water containers and treatment
- Food plus an emergency reserve
- Secure food storage appropriate to local guidance
- Shelter and sleeping system suited to expected temperatures
- Waste bags
Cloud Peak Wilderness FAQ
- Where is Cloud Peak Wilderness?
- It lies in north central Wyoming, entirely within Bighorn National Forest. Its 189,039 acres protect the wildest section of the Bighorn Mountains.
- What are its main mountain features?
- The wilderness contains the highest peaks in the Bighorn Mountains, including Cloud Peak and Black Tooth Mountain. It also contains Cloud Peak Glacier, the range's only remaining active glacier.
- Can bicycles or motorized vehicles enter the wilderness?
- No. Motorized and mechanized vehicles, including bicycles, are not allowed in U.S. wilderness areas. Plan travel within the wilderness accordingly.
- Can visitors camp or fish?
- Camping and fishing are possible. Confirm current requirements and applicable rules with Bighorn National Forest before planning either activity.
- Are there roads or buildings inside?
- No roads or buildings are constructed within the wilderness. Plan a self-supported visit rather than relying on developed facilities.
- Is hunting allowed?
- Hunting is allowed in season in national forest wilderness areas. Check current hunting rules and seasonal activity before your visit.