Best Tent Camping near Big Horn, WY
Dispersed tent camping is abundant in the Bighorn National Forest surrounding Big Horn, Wyoming, with Crazy Woman Canyon Road offering some of the most popular primitive tent sites in the region. Shell Reservoir Camping Area provides established tent sites at higher elevations, while Canyon Creek Road dispersed camping presents opportunities for more secluded backcountry experiences. Many of these areas sit between 7,000-9,500 feet elevation, providing tent campers relief from summer heat in the valleys below.
Primitive tent sites along Crazy Woman Canyon Road follow a steep single-lane dirt route that descends into a canyon alongside a fast-moving creek. Most tent pads feature stone fire rings and flat areas suitable for 1-3 tents, though no amenities like toilets, potable water, or trash service exist. Campers must pack out all waste and bring sufficient water or filtration equipment. The road can become impassable after heavy rain, even with four-wheel drive vehicles. Standard dispersed camping regulations apply with a 14-day stay limit in most areas.
Areas farther up Canyon Creek Road offer more isolated tent camping with less competition for sites. One visitor noted, "The entire Bighorn NF area is saturated with dispersed camping with a limit of 2 weeks, and Rangers request that you move about 5 miles if you want to stay longer." Tent campers particularly appreciate the locations next to streams, which provide natural white noise that drowns out occasional road sounds. Morning temperatures can drop significantly even in summer due to the elevation, requiring proper layering and cold-weather sleeping equipment. Daytime visitors occasionally drive through the canyons, but evenings remain peaceful at most tent sites. Sites near running water tend to fill first, especially on summer weekends.