Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site Day Use Shelter

Open — Open year-round. Group shelter reservations open the second Friday of January for the calendar year and must be booked at least 7 days in advance. Weather permitting access in winter months.

About

Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site preserves over 10,000 years of human history in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains. The group shelter with campsites provides a unique camping experience at a location that has served as home to indigenous peoples for millennia. The site's main attraction is a large sandstone cliff displaying hundreds of Native American petroglyphs and pictographs, offering a window into ancient cultures. Archaeological excavations have uncovered more than 60 distinct cultural levels spanning Paleoindian, Archaic, and Prehistoric periods. The group shelter is a covered facility that can accommodate groups for overnight camping or day use activities. It is situated within the approximately 12,000-acre Medicine Lodge Wildlife Habitat Management Area, providing excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation. Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing in Medicine Lodge Creek, and wildlife viewing. The site includes a small interpretive museum and self-guided trails. Additional individual campsites are also available throughout the property for those not using the group shelter.

Directions

From Worland, take U.S. Highway 16/20 north to State Route 31 and head east toward Hyattville. Turn onto Cold Springs Road and follow signs to Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site.

Nearby Campgrounds