Wyoming · Hiking

Sheepeater Cliff

Sheepeater CliffPhoto: NPS / public domain
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Sheepeater Cliff open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Yellowstone National Park. It doesn't name Sheepeater Cliff, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: NPS · Yellowstone National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Sheepeater Cliff is a hike in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, managed by the National Park Service. A fee is charged for the visit. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mammoth show July highs around 81°F with lows near 48°F, and snow is common from November through April. That station sits about 1,100 feet lower than the cliff, so temperatures up high run cooler. Several other outings lie within a few miles. Bighorn Pass Trail is about 1.8 miles away, and The Gallatin Range is about 2 miles off. Bunsen Peak Trail is about 2.8 miles away, and the Gardner River, a paddling route, is about 3.4 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Sheepeater Cliff

    Best months: July–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      31° / 12°

      11 wet · 9 snow

    2. Feb

      34° / 12°

      11 wet · 9 snow

    3. Mar

      42° / 19°

      11 wet · 7 snow

    4. Apr

      50° / 26°

      11 wet · 5 snow

    5. May

      60° / 35°

      13 wet · 2 snow

    6. Jun

      69° / 42°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 48°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 47°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      69° / 39°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    10. Oct

      54° / 29°

      9 wet · 3 snow

    11. Nov

      39° / 19°

      10 wet · 7 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 12°

      12 wet · 10 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Yellowstone Park Mammoth, WY, 6.1 mi away at 6,195 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

HIKE

The Gallatin Range

~3 min drive

This view from this relatively flat meadow known as Swan Lake Flat gives a commanding view of Swan Lake and the Gallatin Range to the west. The peaks visible from this location while looking to the west are (from south to north): Trilobite Point (10,010 feet / 3,051 m) Mount…

Bunsen Peak TrailPhoto: cchadek, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Bunsen Peak Trail

~5 min drive

8.42-mile out-and-back trail to Bunsen Peak in Wyoming with 502 ft gain.

HIKE

Snow Pass Trailhead (1K2)

~8 min drive

This trailhead is nestled into the forests south of the Upper Terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs. This trailhead provides access to: Snow Pass Trail Parking is available at a nearby pullout. Snow Pass Trail A moderate 2.4-mile (3.8 km) there-and back trail that climbs to the…

Sportsman Lake TrailPhoto: cchadek, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sportsman Lake Trail

~8 min drive

Challenging 17.57-mile out-and-back hike to a scenic alpine lake in Wyoming.

Lava Creek TrailPhoto: R. Sieben, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lava Creek Trail

~10 min drive

Accessible out-and-back hike through Wyoming's volcanic landscape and thermal features.

HIKE

Golden Gate

~5 min drive

The development of a road system was essential in making Yellowstone more accessible to the public. Engineer Hiram Chittenden replaced many wooden bridges with steel or concrete throughout the park. His most difficult project was the replacement of the rickety trestle at…

HIKE

Bunsen Peak Trailhead (1K4)

~5 min drive

Bunsen Peak prominently sits south of Mammoth Hot Springs. From this trailhead, you can embark on the following trails: Bunsen Peak Trail Bunsen Peak Road Trail Osprey Falls Trail Parking is limited. Winter trailhead access requires a snow coach drop-off, or skiing up from…

Snow Pass TrailPhoto: cchadek, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Snow Pass Trail

~8 min drive

Short out-and-back climb to a scenic alpine pass in Wyoming.

Solfatara Creek TrailPhoto: Greg Willis from Denver, CO, usa, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Solfatara Creek Trail

~12 min drive

Moderate out-and-back creek hike in Wyoming with geothermal interest.

HIKE

Howard Eaton Trail: Mammoth-Golden Gate

~8 min drive

Out-and-back thermal features trail from Mammoth to Golden Gate in Yellowstone.