Medicine Wheel, Lovell

The scenic drive into the Pryor Mountains from Lovell alone is worth it. There is a ~2 mile gravel forest service road to the parking area and then a ~1.5 mile hike on a closed (to vehicles) section of the same road to the medicine wheel site. The hike starts and ends about about 9700 feet elevation, but there are some dips and rises along the way. Generally the hike is pretty moderate difficulty. The Bighorn Medicine Wheel is interesting and apparently used for various Native American ceremonies, but for me the highlight was the stunning location and views both along the hike and at the medicine wheel site. There are well maintained pit toilets at both the parking area and adjacent to the medicine wheel.

It's a pretty good hike from the parking area to the actual site. Allow a half hour each way if you're able-bodied. Can be windy. Beautiful views. Actual "wheel" has current and recent past cultural significance. The drive here from Lovell is fairly steep and twisty. There's also a pretty good amount of gravel/dirt road. Don't bring your travel trailer or mobster motorcoach here unless you have plenty of HP to spare and like a challenge!

Beautiful hike, 1&1/2mi each way up a gravel rd. Not really overwhelming but if you like historical & archeological sites it is worth it. The hwy up & down are pretty sketchy. If heights aren't your thing might want to skip. It is in Wyoming.

A pattern of stones sits at the summit of Medicine Mountain, 80 feet in diameter and about 10,000 feet above the Bighorn Range in Wyoming. This configuration is not unique to Wyoming. Hundreds of similar stone wheels have been built by Native Americans all across North America. This was an interesting site to visit and I made the trek all the way to the top of Medicine Mountain by myself because my hubby had a bad knee. It was very windy and cold and it was summertime, but sure glad I made the trip up the mountain.

The Medicine Wheel is a very spiritual place to visit plus a great view. It is a three mile hike round trip. No motorized vehicles allowed. Unless you are handicap or drive a ATV. There were large groups of atvs traveling the very dusty trail that we had to breath. That is why the three stars.