Sheridan, Wyoming is one of those mid-sized Western towns that rewards visitors who make the detour. Backed up against the eastern slopes of the Bighorn Mountains, the city combines genuine frontier history, easy access to more than a million acres of national forest, and a walkable downtown with good food and locally brewed beer. Here are nine of the best things to do in Sheridan this weekend.
1. Bighorn National Forest
The Bighorn National Forest covers over 1.1 million acres of north-central Wyoming, making it one of the largest national forests in the region. The forest is situated between Yellowstone National Park to the west and the Badlands/Black Hills region to the east, and its varied terrain — sagebrush grasslands, glacial-carved valleys, alpine meadows, and sheer mountain walls rising to 13,167-foot Cloud Peak — is accessible via three scenic byways crossing the range. There are 32 improved campgrounds and more than 1,500 miles of trails, along with lodge rentals and cabin rentals for those who want to stay overnight. Within the forest lies the 189,000-acre Cloud Peak Wilderness, where no motorized or mechanical equipment is permitted and access is on foot or horseback only. Camping fees are modest; entry to the national forest itself is free.
2. Shell Falls in Shell Canyon
Shell Falls is one of the most dramatic natural features accessible from the Bighorn Scenic Byway (US-14), the 58-mile highway that crosses the Bighorn Mountains between Dayton and Shell. The falls release approximately 3,600 gallons of water per second over a 120-foot drop, and the canyon walls around them expose ancient granite and sedimentary rock bearing shell fossils — which give the canyon its name. A visitor center near the falls is open seasonally; admission to the falls area is free. The drive along US-14 through the canyon is worth the trip on its own, passing through some of the most striking geology in Wyoming.
3. Black Tooth Brewing Company
Black Tooth Brewing Company is a well-regarded local brewery based in Sheridan, named for one of the peaks in the nearby Bighorn range. Year-round offerings include the Saddle Bronc Brown, Wagon Box Wheat, and Bomber Mountain Amber Ale, alongside seasonal and limited releases. The taproom has no kitchen, but outside food is welcome and there’s a gift shop on-site. Verify current hours directly with the brewery before visiting, as taproom schedules can change seasonally.
4. Trail End State Historic Site
Trail End is the former home of John B. Kendrick — cattle rancher, Wyoming governor, and U.S. Senator — and one of the best-preserved historic house museums in the state. The Flemish Revival mansion was completed in 1913 and the Kendrick family lived there until 1933, a period spanning remarkable changes in American technology and daily life. The estate features original family furnishings and artifacts, formal gardens, and walking areas. Self-guided tours are available, as are scheduled group tours with guides. The site is open from approximately April 1 through December 14 each year; admission is modest for adults, free for children under 17. Verify current admission prices and seasonal hours at the Wyoming State Parks website before visiting.
5. Sheridan County Museum
The Sheridan County Museum, established in 1960, documents the natural and cultural history of the Sheridan region. Permanent exhibitions cover subjects including the coal mining history of Sheridan County, the Battle of the Rosebud, and the historic Tongue River Tie Flume. Rotating exhibits have addressed topics including World War I-era Sheridan County. The museum is open Thursday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Tuesday and Wednesday). Verify current admission prices before visiting.
6. Golf at the Powder Horn and Other Courses
Sheridan has a stronger golf scene than most cities its size, with several well-regarded courses making use of the dramatic Bighorn Mountain backdrop. The Powder Horn is the marquee option — a 27-hole championship facility with multiple route combinations through rolling terrain. Kendrick Municipal Golf Course is the most popular public course in the area and offers excellent views of the Bighorn range. Hidden Ridge Golf Club is one of the newer courses in Wyoming, featuring five sets of tees, 23 bunkers, and rugged topography that makes club selection demanding. The Buffalo Golf Club is another worthwhile option for those spending a full weekend. Courses are typically open late spring through fall, with conditions varying depending on weather and elevation.
7. Sheridan WYO Rodeo
The Sheridan WYO Rodeo has been held annually since 1931, making it one of Wyoming’s longest-running rodeo events. It typically takes place over multiple days in mid-July and draws professional competitors in standard rodeo events alongside a carnival, pancake breakfasts, and a Native American powwow that makes the Sheridan rodeo particularly distinctive among Wyoming’s summer events. The powwow draws participants from tribes across the Northern Plains and is one of the larger annual gatherings of its kind in the region. Check the official Sheridan WYO Rodeo website for current dates and ticket information.
8. Ucross Foundation Art Gallery
The Ucross Foundation operates a residency program for artists, writers, and composers on a working ranch about 27 miles southeast of Sheridan. The foundation was established in 1981 by Raymond Plank to support artists across multiple disciplines, providing time and space for focused creative work. The large red barn on the property has been converted into a public gallery displaying work by resident artists and rotating exhibitions, typically open weekday mornings and some weekend hours. Gallery admission is free. Call ahead or check the Ucross Foundation website to confirm gallery hours before making the drive.
9. The Historic Sheridan Inn
The Sheridan Inn is one of the most historically significant buildings in Wyoming. It was built in 1892–1893 by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad as part of its Wyoming expansion program and designed by Omaha architect Thomas R. Kimball, who modeled it after Scottish Highland hotels. When it opened in 1893, it was considered the finest hotel between Chicago and San Francisco — the first building in the area with electric lights and bathtubs. Buffalo Bill Cody became a part-owner and managed the hotel from 1894 to 1896, using the iconic wraparound front porch to audition performers for his Wild West Show. The inn hosted notable guests including Ernest Hemingway, President Hoover, and Will Rogers over its long history.
After closing to overnight guests in 1965, the inn was eventually purchased by new owners and underwent a major renovation. It reopened in 2015 with 22 guest rooms, each designed around a figure from Buffalo Bill’s life — the Annie Oakley Room, the Sitting Bull Room, the Teddy Roosevelt Room, and others. The inn is a National Historic Landmark and still operates as a working hotel. It can also be rented for private events. Even if you’re not staying overnight, stopping in to see the original lobby, the famous Buffalo Bill Bar, and the wraparound porch is worthwhile.
Sheridan sits at the northern end of a broader Wyoming outdoor itinerary. Visitors heading south can connect with world-class fly fishing and hiking; our Wyoming guide covers winter activities in the state in depth. For those extending their trip west, our Montana fishing guide covers the region just across the state line. The Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark — a prehistoric stone construction atop the Bighorns accessible via US-14A — is also worth combining with a Sheridan visit for those interested in the area’s deeper history. And for the broader region, our national park itinerary guide provides useful planning frameworks for multi-day Western road trips. Sheridan itself makes an excellent base for horseback riding vacations, with several guest ranches in the surrounding Bighorn foothills.
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