Dispersed sites spread through forest and open terrain along FS Road 427 and Route 20 define the camping experience in Bighorn National Forest, where self-sufficiency is not optional. This is primitive camping in the truest sense. Sites consist of previously used clearings with fire pits, no running water, no electric hookups, and no restrooms, though the listing notes toilets and trash service are available at certain developed spots within the forest's larger footprint.
Road conditions deserve attention before any trip. Reviewers describe sloppy, rutted surfaces after precipitation, and the access warnings flag rough conditions as a real factor. Snow is possible well into autumn, particularly at higher elevations near areas like Freeze Out Point, where afternoon melt can leave dirt roads slick. Cell service is absent throughout much of the forest, so maps and information from the Bighorn National Forest area should be downloaded in advance.
Wildlife sightings are frequent. Multiple reviewers report moose encounters, including a cow and calf near a stream and a group of four in camp at dawn. Bears are present, and reviewers consistently recommend hard-sided food storage. Hunting season in October brings noticeably heavier traffic along the back roads, which is worth factoring into trip timing.
Anglers, hikers, and those traveling with dogs will find pet-friendly campgrounds around Bighorn National Forest at various access points throughout the range. Nearby options like Shell Reservoir Camping Area and Coffeen Park offer alternatives for those wanting a more developed base. Come prepared, and the forest will deliver on its scale.
Description
The Bighorn National Forest offers a wide array of sites for camping. Many sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis and some may be reserved.
Campground and cabin reservations may be made through Recreation.gov at 1-877-444-6777 or online at http://www.recreation.gov. Reservations are recommended for holiday weekends.
Located in north-central Wyoming, the Bighorn Mountains are a sister range of the Rocky Mountains. Conveniently located halfway between Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park, the Bighorns are a great vacation destination in themselves.
No region in Wyoming is provided with a more diverse landscape - from grasslands to alpine meadows, clear lakes to glacially-carved valleys and rolling hills to sheer mountain cliffs.
Visit the Bighorn National Forest and enjoy the multiple reservoirs, 30 campgrounds, four group campgrounds, three scenic byways, 10 picnic areas, eight lodges, many miles of streams, 189,000 acres of Wilderness, 1,200 miles of trails, and much more.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBighorn National Forest is located in Wyoming near Wolf
Public CampgroundCoordinates
44.58329213 N
107.3483904 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Reservable
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 50 min from Casper, WY
- 2 hrs 56 min from Billings, MT
- 4 hrs 15 min from Rapid City, SD
- 4 hrs 31 min from Bozeman, MT
