SHERIDAN COUNTY TRAVEL & TOURISM PRESENTS: THE BACKYARD
The backyard has always been an exciting place to play. When we were kids, my brother and I spent hours in the tree fort our dad built out back. We played cowboys and Indians until someone caught a stick to the eye. We pretended the ground was lava until someone slipped off the roof and crushed mom’s tomato plants. And, for reasons still unclear, we once rounded up a dozen neighborhood cats and locked them in the fort—until they scratched us to ribbons.
Then, as now, the backyard was a wild, untamed realm of endless adventure. The difference? The tree fort is gone—replaced by Bighorn Mountain Country. And it’s more thrilling than ever.
With The Backyard, we’re inviting you into that world. Each episode follows a different experience: backpacking into remote corners of the Bighorn National Forest, exploring iconic regional landmarks, and uncovering the stories that make them meaningful. We step into history with Ernest Hemingway’s Wyoming, explore generations of Native storytelling, and connect with Sheridan’s vibrant community of artists and makers.
Along the way, we kayak pristine rivers, paraglide from high peaks, trace outlaw legends, and stargaze beneath some of the brightest skies in America.
—Shawn Parker, Executive Director
BOLD ADVENTURES. GRAND RETURNS.
We launched The Backyard in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time marked by distance and uncertainty, we wanted to highlight the power of the outdoors—and the Bighorns in particular—to reconnect people. It was also a way to continue supporting our local tourism economy during a challenging period.
What we didn’t expect was the reach. Episodes have garnered hundreds of thousands of views, and visitors regularly stop by to say they discovered Sheridan through the series—some even choosing to relocate here. That kind of impact is both humbling and deeply meaningful.
We’re proud to continue sharing our region’s most memorable hikes, renowned attractions, historic landmarks, and wide-ranging adventures. Just as important, we highlight local artists, makers, western experiences, and the stories that define this place—shaped by landscape, tradition, and community.
ENJOY NATURAL PLACES RESPONSIBILITY
Sheridan County Travel & Tourism, the Wyoming Office of Tourism, the U.S. Forest Service, the City of Sheridan, and Sheridan County invite you to explore responsibly. As visitation grows, thoughtful stewardship ensures these places remain special for everyone.
Avoid overcrowding: If a trailhead is full, consider an alternative. Many equally rewarding, lesser-known experiences await.
Keep it clean: Much of Wyoming’s 98,000 square miles is public land, often without facilities. Pack out all trash, avoid burning non-organic materials, and bury human waste at least 100 feet from water sources.
Be fire aware: Follow all fire restrictions, use established fire rings when possible, never leave a fire unattended, and fully extinguish it before leaving or turning in. Be especially mindful of regulations in sensitive areas.
Stay on designated routes: Protect wildlife and landscapes by sticking to marked trails. Off-road travel requires proper permits through Wyoming’s ORV program.
Respect cultural and historic sites: Leave no trace. Sites such as the Medicine Wheel remain sacred to Native communities, and rock art and historic locations are fragile and irreplaceable.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS.
This project is made possible through partnerships. We’re especially grateful to our original title sponsor, Fremont Toyota, for its longstanding support of community initiatives.
We also thank the Sheridan County Travel & Tourism Board of Commissioners for their leadership and commitment, and the U.S. Forest Service—particularly the Tongue Ranger District—for their guidance and collaboration throughout production in our early days.
The Bighorn National Forest spans more than 1.1 million acres and has been protected since 1897. Stretching 80 miles along the Bighorn Mountains, elevations range from 5,000 feet at the foothills to 13,189 feet at Cloud Peak. Snowmelt-fed streams and diverse landscapes define this remarkable region.
Within the forest lies the 189,000-acre Cloud Peak Wilderness, accessible only by foot or horseback. Across the forest, visitors will find 1,500 miles of trails, 32 developed campgrounds, lodges, and three scenic byways: U.S. Route 14 (Bighorn Scenic Byway), U.S. Highway 14A (Medicine Wheel Passage), and U.S. Route 16 (Cloud Peak Skyway), which crosses Powder River Pass at 9,677 feet.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Visit our YouTube channel to watch full episodes of The Backyard, along with short films and other video projects. Explore each episode for photos, stories, maps, and travel guides.
#ThatsWY #VisitSheridan #TheBackyard
