Wind River Canyon Camp Trip

A two-day solo motorcycle camping test run from Gillette to Thermopolis, built around Wind River Canyon, the tunnels, Hot Springs State Park, Shell Canyon, US‑14, Sheridan, and Spotted Horse.

Day 1: ~330 mi

Day 2: ~290 mi

Total: ~620 mi

Type: Overnight

Camp: Crippled Spider

Showers: Yes

Day 1 Main Route Canyon Out-and-Back Day 2 Return Route

Static Route Map

Green is Day 1 to camp. Bright green loop is the Wind River Canyon out-and-back through the tunnels. Blue is Day 2 over Shell Canyon, Burgess Junction, Sheridan, Spotted Horse, and home.

Day 1 — Gillette to Thermopolis + Canyon Ride

Route
Gillette → Buffalo → Ten Sleep → Worland → Thermopolis → Camp

Canyon Add-On
Camp → Wedding of the Waters → Wind River Canyon → Shoshoni → back through the canyon → Camp

Mileage
About 330 miles total with the canyon out-and-back.

Open Day 1 Main Route Open Canyon Out-and-Back

Stop	Notes
Buffalo	Good first fuel/coffee stop before heading west.
Ten Sleep	Lunch stop and scenic ride out of the Bighorns into the basin.
Thermopolis	Fuel, food, Hot Springs State Park, and campground base.
Wedding of the Waters	Where the Wind River becomes the Bighorn River.
Wind River Canyon	Main event of the trip: river, railroad, cliffs, and the tunnels.
Shoshoni	Turnaround point so you ride the canyon both directions.

Camp — The Crippled Spider RV Park

Why this spot
Good first solo motorcycle camping test: showers, town access, food nearby, and an easy bailout if gear testing goes sideways.

Location
Thermopolis, Wyoming

Best evening plan
Set up camp, ride the canyon with lighter luggage, soak or walk Hot Springs State Park, then dinner in town.

Open Campground Open Hot Springs State Park

Day 2 — Shell Canyon / US‑14 / Sheridan Return

Route
Camp → Worland → Greybull → Shell → Shell Falls → Burgess Junction → Sheridan → Spotted Horse → Gillette

Mileage
About 290 miles.

Weather note
US‑14 and Burgess Junction can be much cooler than Thermopolis. Pack a layer.

Open Day 2 Route

Stop	Notes
Greybull	Good fuel/food checkpoint before climbing toward Shell Canyon.
Shell	Small scenic town before the canyon climb.
Shell Falls	Easy pull-off and photo stop on US‑14.
Burgess Junction	High Bighorn stop; check temps and stretch.
Sheridan	Fuel/food before the final leg home.
Spotted Horse	Quiet familiar road back toward Gillette.

Quick Links

Wind River Canyon
Open in Google Maps

Wedding of the Waters
Open in Google Maps

Shell Falls
Open in Google Maps

Burgess Junction
Open in Google Maps

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