Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site — Attraction in Ten Sleep

This is a magical place; you can see why the tribes thought so much of it for so many thousand years. It’s a little tricky to find, but worth the trouble: an eroded red sandstone slot canyon carved into the edge of the Bighorn National Forest, one huge wall is covered with unusually clear petroglyphs—and they’re not only easy to get to, they’re wheelchair-accessible (some are up a hill, but most are along a mostly-flat gravel path). There are pamphlets to help you decipher the petroglyphs, a physical timeline to help you grasp the passage of time (the canyon has been inhabited for at least 10,000 years), a beautiful trout stream that has undercut the sandstone on the other side of the canyon, forming deep shady overhangs and caves—we saw a tiny bat swooping down from the overhang to get a drink one time; a little nature center with pamphlets that describe the sights along a lovely, mostly shaded, numbered walking path; improved campsites (currently $17 a night for out-of-state campers in high season), picnic areas, multiple hiking paths, restrooms, horse facilities (call ahead to arrange)plenty of parking, and a beautiful little old-fashioned white clapboard farmhouse inhabited by some of the luckiest SOBs on the planet ;-). The only time I’ve ever seen it really crowded was Fourth-of-July weekend, and even then there was plenty of elbow room—just no camping sites available, but lots of places to picnic or park and stroll. Bring your curiosity and reverance, and you’ll...

I have been coming here since I was a child, and now I bring my own children. It is one of the cleanest, nicest and most serene campgrounds in the wyoming parks system! Perfect for fishing, picnics, hiking, and doing the immersive experience with hike to the petroglyphs and pictograms. They have done an absolute phenomenal job on the education and display end. I love so much you can walk easily to the petroglyphs and admire them for as long as you want. TAKE YOUR TIME! The bathrooms are very clean and well stocked with necessary toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Loved seeing the wild turkeys roaming around and listening to the birds in the trees and the running water from the streams. Was a little disappointed that reservations are a year out on renting the group shelter, but I will be putting in my notice so we can use it for a small group next year. It's very very wonderful place, perfect for families, or solo who just wants peace and quiet while surrounded by nature. The campsites are wonderful! 10/10 will always recommend this place, they hold it to a very high...

WOW! So glad we happened on this place. The site is set along a meandering creek in old growth cottonwoods. The creek has cut a cliff there for centuries so ancient people left their mark in the form of petroglyphs. People have camped there for 10,000 years. We felt honored to continue that tradition in one of the green, shady, and peaceful spots along the creek. The staff at the site were so friendly and informative and the new immersive interpretive experience is very well done. It includes AI generated video and narration as you move around the experience in a clockwise direction to the beat of a drum. It ends with video interviews of current Native Americans. The Site staff let you in individually (in your own group) so you can experience it fully. This is a true jewel in the high desert...