Dispersed camping near Dayton, Wyoming concentrates in the Bighorn National Forest where most sites sit at elevations between 7,000-9,000 feet. Temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night occur even in summer months, with nighttime lows frequently dipping into the 40s regardless of season. Many dispersed camping areas experience heavy weekend traffic from off-road vehicles and have varying levels of cattle activity from nearby ranches.
What to do
Wildlife viewing and photography: Canyon Creek Dispersed camping area provides excellent opportunities for elk watching at its 9,000-foot elevation setting. According to one camper at Circle Road Dispersed Camping, "We spent time looking for moose, but never saw one until one triggered my security camera. I guess I needed to just get up early and sit on my porch."
Stargazing: Light pollution is minimal throughout the Bighorns, particularly at higher elevation sites. A visitor at Grouse Mountain Basecamp noted, "We got here late in the day after driving through Buffalo Wyoming and found a spot immediately. There's lots of Open spaces for the dog to run and for us. Enjoy the views, highly recommend and our starlink is super fast for work."
Wildflower viewing: Spring and early summer bring vibrant wildflower displays to meadow areas. One camper at Grouse Mountain Basecamp observed, "Truly one of the most magical campgrounds I've ever been to. At night we had a gorgeous sunset and woke up in a cloud! Very few other campers but there's so much space I doubt there would be much crowding."
What campers like
Diverse terrain options: Sites range from dense forest to open meadows. A visitor at Elgin Park Trailhead reported, "Great location where you can camp in the trees or on the meadow. Vault toilet available once you drive a ways in on Elgin Park Road. Plenty of deadfall to use as firewood. Suitable for both tent and RV camping."
Wildlife encounters: Many sites offer regular wildlife viewing directly from camp. One camper at Circle Road Dispersed Camping shared, "Great free camping. Lots of space from your neighbors. Closest bathroom out be going farther down the road to the campground. Moose were frequenting the lower valley area so beware that you could step out and see a Moose."
Cell service zones: Select spots throughout the region offer connectivity. A camper at Circle Road noted, "Verizon coverage is decent along the road, but I turned off on FR 375 and the Verizon died where I was. I found water and a dump site in Buffalo at the Cenex gas station. It was free."
What you should know
Vehicle considerations: Roads deteriorate quickly after rain. A visitor at Meadow Camp on Forest Road 231 shared, "Easy access off Hwy 14. Was busier than expected with lots of 5th wheelers but spaced out enough that we had privacy. There was only a small creek out past the meadow. During the evening, we saw a large herd of Elk on the forest perimeter."
Weekend traffic patterns: Many areas experience significant ATV traffic Friday-Sunday. At Elgin Park Trailhead, one camper warned, "This place is a haven for SxS and ATV traffic on the weekend so it can get loud and very dusty."
Livestock presence: Free-range cattle move through many dispersed camping areas. At Elgin Park Trailhead, a visitor noted, "Hundreds of free-range cattle, so if you are not comfortable with them walking in and through your campsite you may want to pick another location."
Tips for camping with families
Scout for level sites: Most areas have uneven terrain requiring careful site selection. A camper at Schuler Park shared, "Great experience! Off the grid campsite with no service or bathrooms. Fireplaces set up at the sites. Dirt road to the sites but it is in good condition."
Plan for cool nights: Even in summer, overnight temperatures drop significantly. At Grouse Mountain Basecamp, one visitor reported, "The temperature got down to 45° which is perfect for me for sleeping. There were several other people but we were all spread out. Some horses greeted us at the fence and I woke up to cows starring at me. The mountains nearby were snow capped."
Pack for weather changes: Mountain conditions shift rapidly. A camper at Canyon Creek Dispersed advised, "The breathtaking Bighorn Mountains at 9000 ft elevation, good for rigs of all sizes but be advised you may want to scout the road the further you get into the camping area as it can be a bit rough (with water crossing at one point)."
Tips from RVers
Check road conditions: Many forest roads become impassable after rain. One RVer at Gravel Pit Dispersed Camping shared, "Great area with trees and wildlife. Spots for campfires, and plenty of space. You can get multiple groups of people in here. No bathroom so you'll be going in the woods unless you drive to a picnic area."
Dump station locations: Several towns near the Bighorns offer dump facilities. A camper at Canyon Creek Dispersed noted, "Dump/Water available at Cenex or Leigh Creek."
Site access for larger rigs: Some areas accommodate larger RVs better than others. At Grouse Mountain Basecamp, an RVer advised, "We love dispersed camping but hauling a 25' airstream makes a lot of sites inaccessible despite our lift and rugged tires! But not here! 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."
