Name: Tensleep Canyon

County: Washakie

Authority Name: 

GNIS Entry

Longitude:  1072138W

Latitude: 440355N

Legal Description:

Elevation: 4885/1489

(ft/m)

Feature Type: Valley

Origin of Name:

During the early days when the Indians roamed this country, they would hunt in this region. They would come from miles around to hunt their winter’s supply of meat, bringing the whole tribe along to help take care of the meat after it was dressed. The region around what is now Ten Sleep was noted for the various animals that the Indians liked to hunt and even numerous herds of deer and elk. Ten Sleep meant ten days of travel, or “ten sleeps”, ten nights of sleep. The point was an equal distance from the home of the Crows, Lodge Grass, Montana, and of the home of the Shoshone, Fort Washakie, Wyoming. 

Source: WPA

The name "Tensleep" means ten sleeps from either the Platte or Yellowstone and refers to ten days travel by the Indians.

Source: Annals 15(1)

Other Names: 

Alternative Spellings: Ten Sleep Canyon

History:

The highway here begins its route up this rugged canyon, whose red and gray walls of sandstone and limestone formations rise in places to a height of 2,000 feet above the creek whose white water tumbles madly down the gorge.

Source: WPA

Stories:

Maps:

1:24000 Quadrangle: Old Maid Gulch

Newspapers:

More Information: 

Pictures: