Dispersed camping near Sheridan, Wyoming offers opportunities to camp at elevations between 7,000-9,000 feet in the Bighorn National Forest. The area experiences seasonal closures with most sites open from mid-June through mid-November due to mountain snowfall and road conditions. Weather can change rapidly at these elevations, with temperatures dropping into the 40s even during summer nights.
What to do
Wildlife watching: Near Circle Road Dispersed Camping, campers regularly spot moose grazing in the meadows. As one visitor noted, "There were also two moose grazing in the meadow for the entire time we were there." The large open meadow area provides excellent viewing opportunities.
Hiking: Forest trails extend throughout the area with multiple trailheads accessible from camping areas. At Elgin Park Trailhead, campers can "find yourself a nice little private out of the way camping spot to set up tent" before exploring the surrounding trails.
Waterfall visits: Canyon areas feature small rapids and waterfalls. At Crazy Woman Canyon Road, a camper mentioned, "We loved sitting by the water on some large boulders. The water is great white noise too." The riverside camping spots allow for relaxing by the moving water.
What campers like
Privacy and spacing: Many dispersed sites allow campers to spread out away from others. At Grouse Mountain Basecamp, a visitor observed that "There were several other people but we were all spread out. Some horses greeted us at the fence and I woke up to cows starring at me." The wide-open spaces provide room between campsites.
Night sky viewing: Higher elevations offer clear stargazing opportunities away from city lights. A camper at Canyon Creek Dispersed noted they were camping "at 9000 ft elevation" which provides optimal conditions for star viewing.
Seasonal wildflowers: Summer months bring colorful wildflower displays across the meadow areas. A visitor to Grouse Mountain Basecamp wrote, "Wildflowers were beautiful," while another called it a "Wildflower Paradise" where they "had a gorgeous sunset and woke up in a cloud!"
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Access roads range from easy gravel to challenging steep descents. At Crazy Woman Canyon Road, "The road is one lane with a few wide spots to pass oncoming vehicles. It starts off flat but drops steeply and continues the downward angle."
Weather preparedness: Mountain conditions can change quickly with temperature swings. At Grouse Mountain, a camper noted "The temperature got down to 45° which is perfect for me for sleeping," highlighting the cool nights even during summer.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across sites. One camper at Elgin Park Trailhead noted, "There is only one place in all the area that has cell coverage and turns out we camped on that hill without knowing it so we had traffic all day with people parking in and around our campers to use their phones."
Temporary closures occur: Some areas close for maintenance or construction without advance notice. A recent visitor to Crazy Woman Canyon Road reported it was "Currently closed about 10 minutes from where google maps was taking us without an indication why."
Tips for camping with families
Fire ring availability: Established sites often have stone fire rings for cooking and evening warmth. At Schuler Park, campers found "Fireplaces set up at the sites" which makes meal preparation easier with children.
Wildlife education opportunities: The area provides chances to teach children about forest ecosystems. One camper noted, "During the evening, we saw a large herd of Elk on the forest perimeter" at Meadow Camp on Forest Road 231.
Toilet access planning: Most dispersed sites lack facilities entirely. At Circle Road, a camper advised, "Closest bathroom out be going farther down the road to the campground," which is important information for families with young children.
Weather safety: Mountain storms can develop quickly. A visitor to Grouse Mountain mentioned, "It can get pretty moist at night with all the clouds," so families should prepare for wet conditions even on clear days.
Tips from RVers
Level site finding: At Grouse Mountain Basecamp, RV campers report "the sites are pretty level" which makes setup easier. One RVer noted, "We love dispersed camping but hauling a 25' airstream makes a lot of sites inaccessible despite our lift and rugged tires! But not here!"
Road reconnaissance: Some forest roads require advance planning for large rigs. A Canyon Creek camper advised, "be advised you may want to scout the road the further you get into the camping area as it can be a bit rough (with water crossing at one point)."
Turnaround limitations: Some narrow roads lack adequate space for larger rigs to turn around. A Circle Road camper noted there were "no accessible turnarounds with the camper until Circle Pond Campground at the end of the road."
Seasonal mud considerations: Spring and early summer can create challenging conditions. One camper mentioned, "very rainy, hence lots of mud" and "most of the campsites seemed to be washed out right now and unaccessible with our camper."
