Shell, founded in 1886 and nestled at the foot of Shell Canyon in Wyoming's Bighorn Basin, derives its name from Shell Creek where numerous fossil shells are found. Its population is only 50, but outlying areas host dozens of families who raise livestock and related crops on tens of thousands of acres. The uncomplicated town of Shell has comfortable dwellings, wide streets, a post office, and several nearby restaurants and guest ranches.

Along the route between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone Park, US 14 passes through Shell and becomes a 58-mile scenic byway a few scant miles north. The two-lane highway winds over the crest of the Bighorn Mountains past thick forest, lush flower-strewn meadows, waterfalls, deep canyons and abundant wildlife.

Outdoor recreational areas can be found in all directions from Shell and include fairs and summer events, safe playgrounds, parks and swimming pools, bike paths and hiking trails, hunting and fishing, camping, horseback riding, river floating, boating, rock climbing and dinosaur digging. Recreation in winter months includes skiing, sledding, skating and snowmobiling.

Ten miles south of Shell lies a Jurassic dinosaur tracksite. Discovered in 1997, the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite is a rare find, and was improved by the Bureau of Land Management to allow visitors the opportunity to explore the tracks and the unique history of the area. Shell is dinosaur-rich and sits atop one of the world’s most significant fossil beds. Many complete skeletons have been discovered, and according to paleontologists from around the world who have come to explore the rich grounds, many more await discovery.

Shell lies in perhaps the most scenic county in northern Wyoming; one that includes the Bighorn National Forest, Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Refuge, Greybull Museum, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Shell Falls, Paintrock Lakes and the sacred Medicine Wheel site.

Also in the county is the Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site, an area of 12,100 acres known for its Indian petroglyphs and pictographs and its human habitation site dating back over 10,000 years. The Bighorn Mountains diagonally span the entire county, almost all of which is recreation-compatible: scenic river spots, mountains, forest and archeological sites.

The entire county is business-ready with 500 miles of fiber optic backbone; high speed Internet; wireless Internet; VOIP and lone VOIP; dedicated bandwidth for teleconferencing; wide open spaces ready for expansion; buildings available to rent/buy; low labor cost; available workforce training grants; easy highway, air and railroad access. The area is very family oriented; a place where the crime rate is very low and where children can still safely walk to the school bus.

If you have a business product or service that you would like promoted through this web site or the Wyoming Travel & Tourism workshops, Julie needs your promotional materials: brochures, business cards and any advertising placements. These materials can be emailed to Julie, or mailed to 2735 Beaver Creek Rd., Shell, WY  82441.

 

We are also seeking family histories and geographical/historical information and photos on the Shell area for this web site as well as for a separate project underway with the Big Horn County Economic Development and Wyoming Arts Council. Do you have stories, photos and descriptions to share? Do you know of a location where something exciting happened years ago that should be spotlighted in Big Horn County's "History Happened Here"? Contact Julie.

Thank you so much for your help. We look forward to receiving your materials and are anxious to help promote your products/services. Please give Julie a call if you have any questions or if you'd like to help with any of the above projects.