Through Big Horn National Forest?

[BarabooBob]

I have gone over the Bighorns on 14A going both directions. Even my former MH, a Toyota based Damon, made the trip. Going west to east was about all the Toyota could do to make the top. However, you have to know that the Toyota weighed 6000 pounds and had a whopping 120 horsepower. That is right a 22Re naturally aspirated 2.4 liter engine. We also did the Beartooth Highway and Independence Pass with that MH. We had great trips with that little MH but it sure is nicer to travel with the F150 EB and TT.

[Dennis King]

Thanks everyone for all the information. I think we may skip it this year and go in spring next year. I think we will just go to Carolinas in August and Florida and Texas in January and part of February

[ppine]

I will never understand why people want to go Out West but avoid the mountains. If you don't like mountains then don't come out here. You can stay on the interstates in Nebraska. The roads are great. Same with Texas and Iowa. Great roads.

[FORKLIFMAN]

I don't mind the mountains or I wouldn't be going! My question was "will I make it under 7 hours from Cody ,WY to Rapid City ,SD " Seems to be ,no one knows the answer? Just a simple question.....

[Blackrock]

Originally Posted by FORKLIFMAN

I don't mind the mountains or I wouldn't be going! My question was "will I make it under 7 hours from Cody ,WY to Rapid City ,SD " Seems to be ,no one knows the answer? Just a simple questions geeez!

Seven hours from Cody to Rapid City going over the top of the Big Horns doesn't sound right to me. I checked it on Google maps and that's what it give but it don't seem right to me. It's a pretty good grind going up and better be slow going down.
I grew up in that country but left in 75' and there is a lot of ground to cover between those two places. I know that Billings Mt. to Rapid City always seemed more that seven hours back then.

[FORKLIFMAN]

I have learned not to trust Google for times! From what it looks like for terrain, and switch backs , through the area, it would be more like 8 maybe even up to 10 hours? I am not going to push it hard, I want to travel safe and enjoy the country, we are making reservations, and need to plan accordingly. Thank you for reply.

[RVEagle]

Originally Posted by ppine

I will never understand why people want to go Out West but avoid the mountains. If you don't like mountains then don't come out here. You can stay on the interstates in Nebraska. The roads are great. Same with Texas and Iowa. Great roads.

I love the mountains! But that doesn't mean I'm going to be reckless. I'm not used to pulling a travel trailer through the mountains and was looking for some advice. BTW, driving through Nebraska is boring, safer, but boring.

[Dennis King]

Yes I am positive it will take more than 7 hours in an RV it took longer than that on a Road King Harley! Besides you would miss the views pushing that hard and the roads are windy but beautiful! I was out of Dayton and on the lookout as you enter Bighorn and it was like 5:30am and you can see the sunrise and it seems like at least 240 degrees angle side to side and the ground is flat! Beautiful to see the first crack of dawn for like a hundred miles!

[Zoom]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

14A, or alt 14, is higher elevation and steeper roads. Often closed for snow. But if you go that way stop by Medicine Wheel at the top of the mountain. It is a spiritual native American site, often depicted in movies.

Thanks for the reply. I will probably plan on 14A but if I don't pull the camper that way we will definitely do it on the motorcycles!

[Zoom]

Originally Posted by FORKLIFMAN

I don't mind the mountains or I wouldn't be going! My question was "will I make it under 7 hours from Cody ,WY to Rapid City ,SD " Seems to be ,no one knows the answer? Just a simple question.....

My map program (mapsource) says the shortest way is 390 miles and 6 hours 45 minutes without stops. That is averaging almost 60 miles per hour.

[Dennis King]

You can’t take those hips and curves at 60 in am RV

[ppine]

Plan on 8 hours in an RV. No one should ever be reckless when towing. I really like driving through the Bighorns.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

16 is easier than 14, but if you take 14 be sure to stay on 14 and do not get on 14A. You will see the signs in the beautiful section of high country.

I made that mistake once. Back in 1969 and my ex was reading the map. She said "let's take this road. I'm tired of main highways".

I knew we were in trouble when we went through a gap in the barbed wire fence and the pavement ended.

That was somewhere between #13 and #25 on the list of reasons why she became "ex".

If anyone does get on alt 14, be sure and carry extra coolant, drinking water, and food. Beautiful scenery, BAD ROAD.
Lots of steep grades and tight corners. Combine steep with high altitude and vehicles have to really work.

[tucson]

We did that this summer. Stayed 1 night in Buffalo WY after Rushmore, which was the best KOA on our trip and then to Cody WY, stayed there 3 nights. Commuted from Cody into the park. Last day pulled the trailer from Cody to Yellowstone and out to Moran WY, no issues with that grade or the hill out of Buffalo, supposedly the least steep grade than going through Sheridan

[Blackrock]

Born and raised in Hardin Montana so whenever I roll through that part of the country I take I-90 and stay with my brother in Hardin for a couple of days then on Yellowstone country. In 2016 we loaded some quads on a trailer and went up on the Big Horns and rode the trails for a day.

Back in 1971 I worked a construction job up there in the winter time. That was crazy. We were building a water storage reservoir for the city of Sheridan Wy.

[tjwoody]

We did this route 4 years ago pulling a 26’ 6000+ pound trailer behind our F150 w/ 3.5 EcoBoost and had no problems. Overnighted in Greybull and pulled thru the mountains to Fishing Bridge RV campground (currently closed for renovation). I found that I was even able to accelerate uphill with no problem. Your Dodge should have no problem.

[tucson]

16 from Buffalo to Cody is very doable, even saw moose along the way.

[tucson]

yes, agreed

[ffej58]

The road from buffalo Wyoming to Worland Wyoming is a better route for pulling a camper. I’ve traveled it both directions and have no issues. The Sheridan route is a lot steeper.

[Rotech]

We drove alt14 and 14 west to east through Burgess Junction with a 16000# 5th and F350. Didn’t think of it as unusually difficult.