96 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Bighorn Mountains west of Buffalo, Wyoming feature a diverse range of camping options from developed sites to remote backcountry areas. Within a 30-mile radius of town, campers find established campgrounds like South Fork and Circle Park alongside dispersed camping along forest roads. Indian Campground and Buffalo KOA provide full hookups and amenities near the city limits, while Grouse Mountain Basecamp offers primitive dispersed camping with mountain views. The Cloud Peak Wilderness area contains several small campgrounds with basic facilities, many situated along creeks or near alpine lakes, providing both tent and RV camping opportunities.
Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping in this region, with most forest service campgrounds operating from late May through September. Many campers report significant temperature differences between Buffalo and mountain elevations. According to one visitor at Tie Hack Campground, "At 7800 feet it was 100F in Buffalo and 70 here, in the morning it was 44, wonderful weather." Forest service roads accessing dispersed camping areas may require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain. Cell service becomes limited beyond 15 miles from town, though some higher elevation spots maintain connectivity. The Cenex station in Buffalo provides a free dump station and water for RVers, while firewood is available for purchase at most established campgrounds.
Wildlife viewing opportunities rank highly in visitor experiences throughout the area. Moose sightings are frequently reported near meadows and wetlands, particularly in early morning hours. As one camper at Deer Park noted, "I woke up around 6 am and stepped out of my tent to see a nice bull moose in that very meadow." Campgrounds along creeks receive consistently positive reviews for their peaceful settings and fishing access. The drive on Highway 16 between Buffalo and Ten Sleep offers spectacular mountain scenery and access to numerous camping areas. Vault toilets at forest service campgrounds are generally well-maintained, with several reviewers specifically mentioning their cleanliness. Summer weekends see higher occupancy rates, while shoulder season camping offers more solitude but requires preparation for variable weather conditions.
"If you’re coming in from Buffalo Wyoming, is the perfect spot to stop and reset. The 2500 ft climb will test your rig and there’s 2500 more feet to go before you begin the decent. Perfect!"
"Beautiful, quiet, dark, with occasional wind and rain. 15 minutes from Buffalo where we recommend dinner at the The Virginian restaurant - split a Buffalo steak!"
"I was in Buffalo for my son's regional baseball tournament and didn't know how many days I would need to book."
"Great place to overnight in Buffalo. Friendly, helpful staff. Clean grounds, didn’t use any other facilities. Close to road so traffic might bother some—didn’t us."
"We stayed at the Buffalo Wyoming KOA in August 2021. This is a very nice KOA park and in fact was our favorite KOA that we have visited."
"A bit lower key than most KOA’s (that’s a positive for me)."
from $50 - $80 / night
Check Availability"I have to say I found this campground on Dyrt traveling to South Dakota and it is an amazing quiet, clean campground right on a small lake."
"great camping near Sheridan/buffalo."
from $15 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Since we make a couple trips this way each year we will plan on being here again, maybe for 2 or 3 days so we can just relax and use the pool and walking trail. WiFi works great here also!"
"No dog park but plenty of room to walk them. Cheaper than the KOA down the street"
from $43 - $62 / night
Check Availability"*Reservable 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov
*FEES $20.00
OPEN: June
LIMIT: 14 days 14 total sites (9 single and 5 tent only sites with 12 accessible sites) nonelectric
Directions: From Buffalo,"
"This area of Wyoming wasn't exactly our destination- we were passing through on our way from SD to Yellowstone."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"After a bit of driving you come upon an open area to camp. People set up their tent camp across the road too. We loved this spot!"
"I found water and a dump site in Buffalo at the Cenex gas station. It was free. Be aware that folks will bring their dirt bikes and ATVs."
"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."
"It’s so close and easy to get to from Buffalo, and there are plenty of different spots so you can find something you like. Shaded areas, more sunny spots, more private or close to the road."
"This is a tiny campground in the Cloud Peak Wilderness area near the popular Circle Park Trailhead."
from $19 / night
Check Availability"This is the closest campground to Buffalo. It’s a beautiful town worth exploring. There is a hiking trail right at the start of the campground."
"We got the last spot right next to the entrance. Fire pit, picnic table, no-flush toilets close, no water to wash your hands. 22 for the night. No mobile connection at all, no Wi-Fi."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability
GuidePulled in In off the freeway. Very small city park with playground, port-a-potty, a few picnic tables. There are farm animals next door which do cause some flies, but can’t complain for no charge.
ScoutThis delightful spot at the end of the toad is now day use only - no camping allowed. (As of Sept 2026.) There is a nearby campground with 7 sites that you pass on the way in. The road is one lane good gravel.
ScoutStopped here for a few days and found the park nice and quiet even with the highway close by. The owners were very nice!
TravelerWas going to go to federal site, but they were closing as we pulled in. Found the great free dispersed site just down the road from the paid site. A little bumping coming in on the road, but not bad. Easy for 2WD, just go slow. Had a burn ban in the park, so no campfire…but the views were great!
TravelerIt’s flat land and easy road to access. Just find any open area and drive up. I enjoyed this spot a lot.
TravelerThis Camp!! site is fairly level right on the creek. We are the only ones here beside the Camp!! post. It’s absolutely gorgeous peaceful.
TravelerIt’s September 19th. It’s rainy and chilly. I think there may be 6/7 people here total.
ScoutPulled in at 5pm many sites open has electricity and Great Lake views
ScoutOn our camping trip, this was by far our favorite stop. The bathrooms were very clean, with doors on the bathroom and shower entries. The individual shower stalls include a bench to set your belongings on so they won’t get wet. The laundry was also very clean. We were in our camper, and only viewed the cabins from the outside. They looked very quaint from the outside. There is also a playground adjacent to the grounds.
Dispersed camping spots near Buffalo, Wyoming range from remote forest roads to organized sites with basic amenities. The Bighorn Mountains offer camping at elevations between 7,000-9,000 feet, where temperatures can drop 20-30 degrees cooler than in town. Several camping areas require navigating gravel roads that become challenging after rainfall, with some sites situated along creeks providing natural white noise for sleeping.
Hiking at Circle Park: Access numerous trails from Circle Park Campground into the Cloud Peak Wilderness, with paths suitable for various skill levels. "The Circle Park trail is incredible, with a hike up to a great lake (several fellows were hooking decent sized fish)," notes Annie C., who appreciated the trailhead's proximity to camping areas.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings offer the best opportunities for wildlife sightings, particularly at meadow edges. "We saw wildlife, we relaxed with the sound of the river, this was an unforgettable experience," shares Connor M. about his time at Crazy Woman Canyon Road, where canyon walls and rushing water create a dramatic backdrop for nature watching.
Creek exploration: Several campgrounds feature creeks that children can wade in during summer months. At Middle Fork Campground, Casey L. reports, "We loved it here! Very quiet and lots of trees for shade. It looked like most of the sites were creek-front, ours was. We set up our hammocks and enjoyed the cool breeze and sound."
Cooler temperatures: The significant elevation change between Buffalo and mountain camping areas provides natural air conditioning during summer. "At 7800 feet it was 100F in Buffalo and 70 here, in the morning it was 44, wonderful weather," shared one visitor about conditions in the mountains.
Open spaces with privacy: Many dispersed camping areas offer substantial distance between sites. Amy D. noted about Grouse Mountain Basecamp, "It's a level, smooth, dirt road where you pull off the side anywhere you choose... Views were breathtaking and most of the land is level. It's far enough off the main road that there isn't any road traffic."
Well-maintained facilities: Forest Service campgrounds receive consistent maintenance. "South Fork was perhaps the most pleasant surprise I've ever had as I pulled into a campground. Beautiful creek, clean, spatially distanced sites, tall Ponderosa pines at each site. USFS had invested great thought and resources into this campsite," remarked Mac M. about South Fork Campground.
Road conditions: Many forest roads become challenging after rainfall. At Crazy Woman Canyon Road, Connor M. warns, "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."
Temperature swings: Pack layers as mountain temperatures fluctuate significantly between day and night, even in summer. Lisa D. reports from Grouse Mountain, "The temperature got down to 45° which is perfect for me for sleeping."
Reservation timing: For established campgrounds, plan ahead during peak season. Milo D. notes about Middle Fork Campground, "This quaint campground is only a mile off a main road, very easy to get to. Appears to be 9 sites, no wifi, and no cell service."
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites lack water and toilets. "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," advises Connor M. about Crazy Woman Canyon Road.
Kid-friendly exploration: Look for campgrounds with natural play areas and short hiking loops. "We found a great site with a Boulder yard nearby that the kids spent the entire afternoon playing on," shares Patrick W. about his family's experience at Circle Park Campground.
Wildlife education opportunities: The area offers excellent wildlife viewing chances that can become learning experiences. David W. noted at Mikesell Potts Recreation Area, "Nice lake front camping spots and some in the back with prong horns visiting. Great place to walk around."
Accessible water features: Creeks and small lakes provide entertainment for children. Lori W. describes Middle Fork as having "campsites far apart and all of them are next to a serene mountain river."
Site selection for larger rigs: Some forest roads have limitations for bigger RVs and trailers. "We ventured out here in our 26' bumper pull camper... 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," cautions Janelle K. about Circle Road Dispersed Camping.
Leveling considerations: Many dispersed sites require additional leveling equipment. Daniel S. notes, "Site was not very level, so be prepared for that."
Services in town: Buffalo provides essential RV services not available at campsites. At Indian Campground, Debra M. appreciates that "They provide AAA, Good Sams and Military discounts... Right across the street is the creek trail that is very peaceful and a quicker way to town."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Buffalo, WY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Buffalo, WY offers a wide range of camping options, with 96 campgrounds and RV parks near Buffalo, WY and 14 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Buffalo, WY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Buffalo, WY is Grouse Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 403 with a 4.8-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Buffalo, WY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Buffalo, WY.
What parks are near Buffalo, WY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 parks near Buffalo, WY that allow camping, notably Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area and Bighorn National Forest.
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