Best Dispersed Camping near Buffalo, WY
The Bighorn National Forest surrounding Buffalo, Wyoming features predominantly dispersed camping options along forest roads and near mountain streams. Grouse Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 403 provides level sites in open meadows at approximately 7,000 feet elevation, while Crazy Woman Canyon Road offers more secluded camping alongside rushing water with canyon walls rising above. Circle Road Dispersed Camping presents numerous pull-offs through meadows with mountain views, and Canyon Creek Dispersed sites sit at higher elevations around 9,500 feet. Most locations maintain primitive conditions with few amenities, though some areas like Elgin Park Trailhead include vault toilets accessible after driving deeper into the forest.
Road conditions vary significantly across these camping areas, with many requiring careful navigation on dirt roads. As one camper noted, "The dirt roads are well maintained, but still a fair amount of rock, so slower speeds are safer." Most dispersed sites enforce a 14-day stay limit, with rangers requesting campers move at least 5 miles if staying longer. Higher elevation sites maintain cool temperatures even during summer months, with nighttime lows reaching 45°F even in July. Cell service fluctuates dramatically between locations, with Verizon coverage reported as "hit-or-miss" at Circle Road and completely absent in canyon areas. Water crossings can make some roads impassable after heavy rain, particularly in steep areas like Crazy Woman Canyon.
Wildlife viewing opportunities rank highly in camper reviews, with moose sightings common in meadow areas and fox families residing in rock formations. Weekday camping typically offers greater solitude, as one visitor observed: "Weekend was busy with traffic down the dirt road but weekdays we had it all to ourselves." Free-range cattle frequently wander through camping areas, particularly at Elgin Park. Campers seeking level sites for larger RVs find Grouse Mountain Basecamp particularly accommodating, with one reviewer noting: "It's a level, smooth dirt road where you pull off the side anywhere you choose." Water access points exist at several locations, with the Cenex gas station in Buffalo providing free dump and water services for those staying in more primitive areas.
