Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Bighorn National Forest
Shell Creek Campground provides spacious pet-friendly sites along a creek in Bighorn National Forest where dogs are welcome at no additional cost. All campsites throughout the forest accommodate pets with standard requirements that animals remain leashed when outside vehicles. Bighorn National Forest features multiple established campgrounds for pet owners, including West Tensleep Lake, Island Park, and Tie Flume Campground, all with basic amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Shell Creek's campground offers particularly appealing options for pet owners with clean facilities and creek access where dogs can cool off during warmer months. Tent campers and RV owners will find accessible pet-friendly sites throughout the forest, though most locations lack electric hookups or sewer connections. Campers report that pets particularly enjoy exploring the shallow edges of Shell Reservoir where fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities abound.
Dispersed camping opportunities throughout Bighorn National Forest provide excellent options for travelers with dogs seeking more space and privacy. Forest roads, particularly along Route 20, contain numerous primitive campsites where pets can enjoy natural surroundings with fewer restrictions than developed campgrounds. Wildlife encounters are common in the area, with multiple visitors reporting moose sightings near West Tensleep Lake and Shell Reservoir Camping Area, requiring pet owners to maintain control of their animals at all times. High elevation camping areas experience dramatic temperature changes, necessitating appropriate gear for pets during colder nights, even in summer months. The extensive trail system throughout the forest offers abundant hiking opportunities with dogs, particularly at trailheads near Battle Park and along creek-side paths that follow waterways through wooded sections. Bear activity varies throughout the region, requiring proper food storage when camping with pets.
