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Best Dispersed Camping near Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

57 Reviews

Grouse Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 403 provides one of the most accessible dispersed camping options near Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. This free backcountry area features a large, open field with level ground where vehicles can pull off and camp. The gravel access road is navigable for most vehicles including big rigs and RVs, with multiple campers noting the ease of access. Sites are spread out across the meadow, offering privacy despite the open terrain.

The area sits at approximately 7,000 feet elevation, creating cool nights even in summer months. No facilities are available – bring your own water, pack out trash, and be prepared for primitive conditions. Several reviews mention stunning mountain views, wildflower blooms in June and July, and excellent stargazing opportunities. A recent visitor noted, "The field is in bloom right now with purple and yellow flowers. We're definitely up in elevation and can see lush forests and snow-capped mountains in the distance." Other nearby primitive camping options include Canyon Creek Road and Circle Road dispersed camping areas, though these receive less traffic than the popular Grouse Mountain site.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (12)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

44 Photos of 12 Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

57 Reviews of 12 Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Campgrounds

  • Janelle K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2023

    Circle Road Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful spot, better for rent or car camping

    We ventured out here in our 26’ bumper pull camper for the night of 6/19. Several trailers and campers looked like they had been posted up there for a while. 

    Pros:

    -Lots of pull off spots accessible for car camping and very small campers

    -Beautiful wildflowers at this time of year-remote and peaceful!

    -main dirt was mostly manageable with our camper, some potholes and mud though 

    Cons:-

    very rainy, hence lots of mud, when we went

    -most of the campsites seemed to be washed out right now and unaccessible with our camper

    -no accessible turnarounds with the camper until Circle Pond Campground at the end of the road

    -bugs were really bad

    -no Verizon cell signal

    -single lane dirt road just had a couple sporadic pull offs to allow for passing vehicles from other direction

  • Milo D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2025

    Circle Road Dispersed Camping

    Awesome views with lots of space!

    Turn onto Circle Park Road and the dispersed camping spots start about a half-mile down an easy dirt road. The road is about 3 miles long and ends at either a campground or a trailhead parking area depending on which way you go. The campground is paid, but the entire access road (Circle Park) is dispersed. Multiple off-shoots of various dirt roads, most accessible with 2wd, some requiring more.

    About a mile from the entrance is where the "established" dispersed sites start, you'll easily tell by the gate entrance. It was open, but does appear to close occasionally. The first fork you come to you can go left which will require 4wd, or you can continue right on the road. About another mile or so you'll reach the second fork. If you go right the dispersed camping ends and the entrance to the campground begins. If you go left it ends at a trailhead, but has some great dispersed spots before that. No matter what vehicle you drive there are multiple spots for you to enjoy.

    A decent amount of traffic due to the campground, I saw about a dozen vehicles an hour on average until the sun set. Cell phone reception is hit-or-miss depending on your location and carrier, Verizon had 0-1 bar of 4g where I stayed. There is water available at the campground if you absolutely need it, though I would slip a couple dollars in the self-pay box as a thanks if you do use it.

    Lots of awesome established and rough trails depending on what you're looking for. Lots of birds, and there's a couple of fox families living in the rock formations.

    It can be a bit noisy depending on where you stay, but the mountain views during sunset are absolutely stunning. I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.

  • Lords C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Grouse Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 403

    Wide Open Spaces

    I stumbled on Grouse Mountain Dispersed Camping last Fall and made sure I visited again upon return this Summer.

    Great little town of Buffalo is down the mountain, the views are amazing and spots are spaced out very well here.

    It's on my 'starred' list on my Google maps of best places to boondock. Only downside here is there is no shade, the access road gets a little busy with campers and a private camp down below. All in all? Top tier Boondocking spot from my view.

  • The Wandering Shores ..The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2024

    Canyon Creek Dispersed

    Canyon Creek Dispersed

    The breathtaking Bighorn Mountains at 9000 ft elevation, good for rigs of all sizes but 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).  

    We overview the camping options as well as the amenities available in the area in our video review! 

    https://youtu.be/ztjOGUjNkfo

    Useful Information: Location: Canyon Creek Dispersed, Ten Sleep, Wyoming 

    GPS Coordinates(Canyon Creek Dispersed): 44.160758,-107.128481 

    Maximum Stay: 14 Days 

    Dump/Water(Cenex): https://maps.app.goo.gl/b44MFQ4ne9h3DpE2A 

    Leigh Creek Dump/Water: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SfJmMrKekzLyTKFNA

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Grouse Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 403

    Easy boondocking with plenty of space

    This is about as easy and convenient as dispersed camping gets. Plenty of room for big rigs, but also good for tents. It’s a dirt road off a paved highway (which is convenient to the route to Yellowstone). Just pull off the dirt road into the field to camp. There’s a gate before the road turns south, but right before the gate it’s a cleared space to turn around if you don’t want to turn around in the field. The only con is that there’s a significant amount of cow pies.

  • R
    Aug. 8, 2022

    Canyon Creek Road Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful, Free and Relief from the Heat of Summer

    The specific location given is about 4.5 miles in from hwy 16, and there are numerous areas to set up your camper on the way in. The farther you go, the more private it is. The dirt roads are well maintained, but still a fair amount of rock, so slower speeds are safer. The entire Bighorn NF area is saturated with dispersed camping.

    The limit is 2 weeks, and Ranger request that you move about 5 miles, if you want to stay longer. There are locals who come to ride their dirt bikes and ATV's in the area, more so on the weekends, but has not been too much of a nuisance. There is plenty of deadwood in the areas to gather as firewood, and Canyon Creek has a brisk stream of water flowing. Satellite images show it dry.

    Elevation of this area is about 9500', so temps are cool and comfortable even in August.

    Very dark and clear night sky is great for star gazing. And there is a park dump/fresh water station a very short distance away. Not sure about other cell services, but Zero T-mobile signal, but I had just purchased the Starlink system before heading this way and I'm getting high-speed internet and Wi-Fi calling, in the middle of nowhere! This is my favorite boondocking area so far. Note, this area is suitable for most Big Rigs

  • Connor M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2024

    Crazy Woman Canyon Road - dispersed camping

    Best kept secret, beautiful bolders, fast moving river

    This is a one of those secret locations that you look for, the one you don't want to give away but show all your friends pictures of it. If this was a fishing spot you wouldn't tell other anglers about it. If it was a special hunting location you would keep your lips sealed.

    Crazy woman canyon gets it's name from a few different legends, but that's not the point of this gem. The tranquility, peace, towering canyon walls that make you feel so small, the freedom of the outdoors and back country quietness, that's what this place should be known for.

    We saw wildlife, we relaxed with the sound of the river, this was an unforgettable experience.

    Keep in mind there are no facilities here, no toilets, no potable water, no showers, you need to pack in and pack out. This is true back-country camping. The roads are narrow and traffic goes both ways, we had to pass another truck and were just inches from the edge with rushing water below. But this is Wyoming, this is the wild west, one of the great frontiers of the American expansion.

    Come here, it's worth it.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 11, 2022

    Circle Road Dispersed Camping

    Easy in and out

    Stayed down this road in an open meadow for a few days. Weekend was busy with traffic down the dirt road but weekdays we had it all to ourselves. 2 people had parked their trailers there and never showed up, so I don't know what that was about. If you go here, please only park or drive in designated areas. Several vehicles went off road which is not allowed and forces the Rangers to limit camping spots. Saw plenty of big rigs, but this is a dirt road and is suited to smaller trialers. Site was not very level, so be prepared for that.

Guide to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in South Dakota, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. Enjoy the freedom of choosing your own spot while taking in stunning views and the tranquility of the great outdoors.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in South Dakota

  • Be prepared for a lack of amenities; many areas, like Grouse Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 403, do not offer drinking water, toilets, or trash disposal.
  • Arrive early to secure a good spot, especially during peak seasons, as popular locations can fill up quickly, such as Crazy Woman Canyon Road - dispersed camping.
  • Bring your own firewood and be mindful of fire restrictions; some areas allow fires while others do not, so check local regulations before setting up.

Enjoy Scenic Views While Free Camping Near Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

  • Experience breathtaking landscapes at Circle Road Dispersed Camping, where wildflowers bloom and the scenery is perfect for photography.
  • For star gazers, the open skies at Canyon Creek Road Dispersed Camping provide a stunning backdrop for a night under the stars.
  • Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the chance to see free-range cattle and possibly wild horses near Elgin Park Trailhead, adding to the natural experience.

Activities to Enjoy While Free Camping Near Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

  • Hiking opportunities abound, with trails accessible from spots like Forest Road 131, allowing you to explore the diverse terrain of the Bighorn National Forest.
  • Fishing enthusiasts can find nearby streams and rivers, perfect for casting a line after setting up camp at locations such as Dispersed Camping Circle Park Road.
  • ATV and dirt bike riding are popular activities in the area, especially near Pole Creek Road East, where you can enjoy the thrill of off-road adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is dispersed camping allowed in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area?

Dispersed camping in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is primarily available along Circle Park Road. At Circle Road Dispersed Camping, camping spots begin about a half-mile down an easy dirt road that extends approximately 3 miles. The area offers numerous pull-off spots suitable for car camping and small campers in open meadows with beautiful mountain views. For alternative options, Canyon Creek Dispersed provides camping at higher elevations (around 9,000 ft) in the breathtaking Bighorn Mountains. Remember that dispersed camping in the area requires staying in designated spots to protect meadows and natural areas, with no amenities such as restrooms or trash service available.

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is Grouse Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 403 with a 4.8-star rating from 23 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 dispersed camping locations near Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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