Best RV Parks & Resorts near Cody, WY

We were able to haul our 45-ft fifth wheel and find level ground. There are some additional locations to park higher on the hill but the road to get there is a little more rough. I've seen smaller camper vans but we couldn't haul our big rig up there. We boondocked here all week. Not far from Yellowstone and the town of Cody with amenities. The sheep mountain hiking trailhead is right here and lots of off-roading trails for single and double track. Great views. It was rainy and windy half the time we were here (late May). The roads were dirt but still solid and well maintained. Some of the hiking and OHV trails got muddy up on the mountain.

When it comes to Yellowstone camping can be difficult unless you plan far in advance and prices can soar in the summer months.   For those wanting a little better price points and convenient access to the northern most entrance visiting the Gallatin National Forest is a great option for finding that perfect location and still maintaining access.

I visited this area and was very impressed with the campground and the spacing it provided.   But more importantly I was happy to see that unlike the Yellowstone campgrounds which lack cell signal, at this location I was able to utilize my services through AT&T.    Sure that might not be something everyone considers when traveling, but when you work remotely being able to access the internet through my cell phone is very important.  I had been in the park for several days so stopping here was a good catch up opportunity.

The sites were each well spaced and offered a soft grassy pad for my tent when staying, unlike the darkened dry grassy lands around.   It was almost as though this location was an oasis, despite having no services.

Each sight provides a bear box, picnic table and fire ring, overall very standard for this area.    Additionally there were basic vault toilets which were very well maintained.  One person at the campground actually joked about that being a great hiding place should a bear enter camp...lol

Camping at this location has a 16 night limit and sites are only $7 per night, which is $20 less expensive than the closest Yellowstone campground.  Similar rules apply to this campground as others in the area.   There are no trash services so you have to pack in and out all of your trash.   Generators can be use throughout the camp during certain hours and there are fire restrictions during certain conditions and times (posted on the entry kiosk).   This is an honor system campground with a pay box at the entry, however I did notice it was patrolled at least once nightly by area Forest Service, unlike the pull off sites just beyond camp.

TIPS:

• If you need anything you can stop off just before turning onto the road at any number of stores, shops or restaurants in the low laying community.
• If you need high speed WIFI Subway in the local community has the best access for free.
• West Entrance allows you to split to to east which is where you will spot more wildlife versus the Western side of the park where you will find more of the geothermal features.

Along the route from Cody to Yellowstone a variety of campgrounds abound offering inexpensive options with great views.    Amongst those Big Game Campground, a seasonally open campground with amazing river access and the wooded feel of a remote mountain campground.    

I found this campground when exploring the area and was instantly drawn in by the large shaded sites and how comfortable and secluded they felt.    Each site feels removed from the next as they are all built into little burrows and once you park your vehicle you feel very private.

Toward the front of the campground all sites are heavily wooded and toward the back they are somewhat open to the river.    Absolutely beautiful views of the mountains and the sound of water around you is very relaxing.   The only negative being that some of the river sites also have been barricaded off after recent undercutting of the shoreline by the river ways.

For those who enjoy fishing this is a perfect location as there are miles of shoreline which can be accessed from this point.   

Price point is very reasonable at only $10 and with both hard sided RVs and tents welcome this is a very appealing campground, unlike some a littler further toward Yellowstone which are limited to only hard sides.

Campsites each include standard amenities of picnic tables and fire rings along with mandatory use bear boxes.    There was a nice introduction to bears for those unfamiliar at the pay kiosk (cash only). I suggest reading this and becoming familiar before exploring the area or camping here.

At this location I did have cellular signal on AT&T although it was pretty limited.    

TIPS:

• Be prepared and bring everything you need.   There are very limited stops from Cody to Yellowstone and prices at this few locations are much higher than in the Cody community.
• Bring your water shoes if you intend on wading in the water.   Although most of the banks are covered with smooth river rocks some broken limbs are in the water with sharp jagged edges.

Access to Rex Hale was easy following the website instructions. Basically, you follow the signs through Cody to Yellowstone National Park via US 14, the park is right off US 14. There was no formal check-in. We had a reservation and that was noted on the post at our back-in site 9 with 50/30 AMP. There was confusion on our part whether we needed to get water before or after arriving based on several campground(CG) reviews. We called the ranger station the day prior who confirmed the water was on at the CG. Then we found out upon arrival that the sites as you come into the CG on the right side of the road up to site 12 have not only electric but also water! This was a recent addition and why water had been nonexistent or off in recent CG reviews. We were told there was a camp host but the host had actually already departed for the season. There was no cell signal nor OTA channels. There are about 30 sites with only sites 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, and 12 having electric and, now, water. The middle sites, the far CG end to the east and along the riverside of the CG have no utilities. There are water spigots periodically placed throughout the CG. There are several vault toilets but no showers. There is no dump station in the CG, but there is one in Buffalo Bill State Park near Cody. We were staying at an RV park in Cody and just dumped there. We were very impressed with this CG and really enjoyed our spacious site, the mountain views and the peacefulness of the place. We were here when they closed the CG for the season on 20 September and would definitely come back.

When traveling along the riverside from Cody to Yellowstone and looking for a site which provides large spaces and electricity your options are very limited.     This campground is one of the only options available with river access which meet this requirement while also catering to those which desire unimproved camping.     The location offers two loops of camping including one which is designed for the primitive camper and one which caters to those who would like some of the comforts of home.   

Upon entering camp you will find a camping kiosk with an honor box, however unlike many of the campgrounds in this area there are campground host which hold you accountable for your entry.    This makes sense with such offerings.

Each of the camping loops are designed for one way traffic, which allows you to more simplistically move through camp however can be a bit harder for larger rigs when searching for sites as some are not clearly marked.

Each loop has access to vault toilets scattered throughout camp in key locations and there is a common water spigot in several locations around the camp.   I found that this was very convenient for those which are not requiring the electricity to still have some access to water since there are no services located nearby camp.

On the primitive loop and improved loop alike the sites are very evenly sized with some locations being back in or pull in another others being pull through.     There are also double sites available.   All sites have common picnic tables and bear boxes in addition to fire rings.

With such a variety of services and spaces offered prices do range vastly from site to site.     If you are wanting a primitive site they start off at $15 for singles and $30 for doubles or $20 for electric singles and $40 for electric doubles.  They do however offer a discount for those who have a senior access pass.

This particular campground does not welcome or offer sites for those with horses, something I noticed was very common to this area.   

Something which sets this site apart however from other locations is the specific area designed for fishing access.   If you pull through camp there is a parking area and large bank access point for those camping at the grounds or just visiting for day use.

Despite being right on the river, I felt this campground seemed much more dry than other campsites and many of the locations were more exposed to the harsh sunlight.   When vehicles drove through it was very dusty and made things feel very cloudy.

Stayed here with no reservation in October but based on location, cost and facility would not recommend for summer - would make reservation.   The sites are mostly pull through and are full hook up.  The laundry room is very clean.  It is attached to the bathroom/shower house.   The location is very close to the  town of Cody and grocery stores and gas stations.   We have Verizon and T-Mobile and both had good service.  WIFi is also provided.  There is a small market and they sell propane.

Be sure to visit town and the Irma Hotel and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.