Just moved to Sheridan, or getting back into it after a while? These groups are beginner-friendly and welcoming — no need to be fast, experienced, or know a soul.
Seasonal guided hikes — see events calendar
Rotating Sheridan-area trailheads
SCLT runs guided history and nature hikes through the season; dates posted on their events calendar and Facebook.
Annual · early June · 100/60/40/20-mile courses
Premier regional gravel race/ride/tour; four distances mixing pavement, gravel and singletrack (20-mile starts in Dayton).
Winter operating days — see schedule
Antelope Butte Mountain Rec Area, Bighorns
About five miles of packed Nordic trails in four loops at 8,000–9,000 ft; gear rentals at the lodge.
Open year-round · 20+ miles of trail
Red Grade Trails, Big Goose Rd, Sheridan
SCLT-built non-motorized trail system starting near 7,800 ft; easy-to-moderate looping trails for trail running and hiking.
Seasonal beginner sessions — see Facebook
The Green Room, Malcolm Wallop Park, Sheridan
First-time and beginner MTB rides coordinated with Sheridan Bicycle Company and the Land Trust.
Monthly · beginner (15 mi) & advanced (35 mi) groups
Rotating Sheridan-area start points
Beginner group rides 15 mi of road and gravel with regroup spots; intermediate/advanced ride ~35 mi with sprint spots.
Seasonal group rides — ask in shop
Sheridan Bicycle Company, 43 S Main St, Sheridan
Downtown Trek dealer and Dead Swede co-organizer; the local hub for road, gravel and mountain group rides.
Third Saturday monthly, 9:00am · ~1-mile walk
The Brinton Museum, 239 Brinton Rd, Big Horn
Roughly one-mile bird walk around the museum grounds, led by Bighorn Audubon members; open to members and non-members.
Seasonal outings — see events page
Rotating Sheridan-area birding sites
Additional walks at Ucross, Fort Phil Kearny, Red Grade Trail and other Important Bird Areas; dates on the events page.
Winter operating days · group & private lessons
Antelope Butte Mountain Rec Area, Bighorns
Alpine and snowboard lessons (PSIA-AASI), free youth season passes, snowshoeing and fat biking; a base for Bighorn snow days.
Self-guided · summer & fall
Bighorn National Forest trailheads
The Cloud Peak Wilderness and Bighorn trail network west of Sheridan — day hikes to multi-day backpacking.
Drop-in open hours — see Facebook
Locally built indoor bouldering gym with rotating set routes for all levels.
Supervised wall hours — see Y schedule
Sheridan County YMCA, 417 N Jefferson St, Sheridan
Bouldering wall with Kilter board plus a supervised top-rope sport wall; free with membership, ages 3+ during designated times.
By appointment · guided wade & float trips
Downtown Sheridan fly shop + area rivers
Professional guides on the Tongue, Bighorn and private Wyoming/Montana water out of a full-service downtown shop.
Seasonal classes — ask in shop
Fly Shop of the Bighorns, 201 N Main St, Sheridan
Downtown fly authority since 1986 — casting and fly-tying classes plus guided trips with Rock Creek Anglers.
By appointment · half & full-day floats
Private ranch water near Sheridan
Half-day and full-day drift-boat trips on private ranch water for trout, bass and crappie; casting lesson available.
Self-guided · summer float season
Tongue River & Goose Creek, Sheridan County
Nearly 90 miles of navigable water with an online trip planner (rivertrip.sheridanclt.org); access points across central Sheridan County.
Sheridan College Venture Outdoors
Seasonal student trips — see Venture Outdoors
Sheridan College + area lakes & rivers
Canoe/kayak rentals and low-cost student trips to Lake DeSmet, Tongue River Reservoir and other area water.
Sheridan College Venture Outdoors
Free/low-cost student trips through the year
Sheridan College + the Bighorns
Venture Outdoors sponsors free or low-cost hiking, camping and biking trips and rents gear to students.
Seasonal program + celebration 5K
Sheridan County (program sites)
Coached run-walk seasons for youth in Sheridan County, capped by a community celebration 5K open to all abilities.