Explore Shell Canyon
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Added by Aaron Selig
Remote canyon in Northern Wyoming that offers amazing views of Shell Creek and the surrounding mountains and cliffs. Roadside markers help showcase the unique geological formations in this area, with places dating back over 2 billion years.
Shell Creek starts high up in the Bighorn Mountains, and flows through the Bighorn National Forest until it reaches the Bighorn River, near the small western town of Greybull. Shell Canyon has been carved out over millions of years, creating deep limestone and granite cliffs. Make sure to stop at the beautiful Shell Falls as it plunges 120ft over granite cliffs into a carved out canyon below the walkway and interpretive center.
Follow US-14 to the east and get further into the beautiful Bighorn Mountains or take US-14 west to the small town of Shell and explore the Bighorn Basin further.
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Shell Creek Canyon from the road
I didn't get to see as much as I wanted to and I don't have any pictures as I was driving, but this is an amazing little canyon, well off the beaten path. Driving east on Highway 14 out of Cody and Greybull, WY on my way to the Black Hills of South Dakota, the first thing I noticed was the colorful banded hills. Suddenly the road turned into those hills and before I knew it, I was winding my way down into the canyon. The sharp turns around strikingly beautiful rock formations made it feel as though I was speeding through a John Wayne movie. Signs along the way point out different formations and there is a wayside with a trail that leads to Shell Falls, but this was closed due to construction. Had I not been on my way to a reserved campsite in South Dakota and had the lot been open I would have definitely stopped and spent a few hours hiking around the canyon bottom. I hope to return some day.
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