North Fork Highway is in northwest Wyoming about 20 miles west of Cody. If follows US 14 (also US 16 and US 20) between Wapiti and Pahaska. The 30-mile byway is a two-lane paved road that is suitable for all types of vehicles. US Highway 14 is usually open all year. West of Pahaska, US 14 enters Yellowstone National Park; this road is closed mid-November through March. It is groomed for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. North Fork Highway is also known as the Buffalo Bill Cody scenic byway.
North Fork Highway travels through the beautiful Shoshone Canyon where the North Fork of the Shoshone River flows nearby. The route travels through the heart of the Shoshone National Forest and is surrounded by two wilderness areas. The canyon is a narrow valley with extremely steep slopes and vertical cliffs, giving the visitor a feeling of being embraced by the surrounding mountains.
Wildlife observers will want to be on the lookout for mule deer and elk that can sometimes be seen grazing in the meadows or along the river. Moose, bighorn sheep, black bear, and the mighty grizzly bear are also inhabitants of the area. The North Fork is believed to have one of the highest concentrations of grizzly bears in the lower 48 states.
There are numerous trails along the byway that invite the traveler to explore. Many will lead into the wilderness areas lying to the north and south of the byway. To the north is 350,488-acre North Absaroka Wilderness. To your south is the huge 704,529-acre Washakie Wilderness. Both of these wilderness areas provide excellent opportunities for those seeking solitude. You don’t have to be a seasoned hiker or backpacker to enjoy short segments of the trails. For those that are equipped to handle the wilderness, the trails are your gateway to a wonderland of beautiful mountains and wildlife in its most natural setting.
Those interested in sleeping under the stars will find a lot of campgrounds along the byway. Altogether, there are over 200 campsites. All of them but Deer Creek Campground is situated on the banks of the river.