Best Tent Camping near Dayton, WY
Tent campgrounds around Dayton, Wyoming include several options in the Bighorn National Forest, ranging from established sites to dispersed locations. Shell Reservoir Camping Area offers tent sites with lake views and locations among the pines, while Big Horn NRC Dispersed provides free primitive tent camping with fewer amenities. Areas like the former Cabin Creek Campground show signs of previous development but are now largely overgrown with minimal maintenance.
Road access to many tent campgrounds varies considerably, with Shell Reservoir requiring high-clearance 4x4 vehicles according to visitor reports. Most tent sites in the region include basic amenities such as fire rings and pit toilets, though maintenance levels differ significantly between locations. Coffeen Park permits pets and offers toilet facilities but no drinking water. The camping season typically runs from June through September at higher elevations, as snow can block access during other months. Dispersed tent camping is allowed in several areas with proper adherence to leave-no-trace practices.
Tent campers visiting these areas benefit from scenic landscapes and relative solitude. The region offers fishing opportunities in lakes and creeks, with brook trout available in Shell Reservoir and surrounding waterways. A visitor commented that they "stayed at a site right across from the lake on a hill in the pines," highlighting the premium locations available. Many tent sites provide access to nearby hiking trails, including routes to Bucking Mule Falls and the Little Bighorn trailhead. Most backcountry tent camping areas become significantly less crowded after summer, offering increased solitude for fall camping trips. Tent campers should prepare for variable weather conditions typical of Wyoming mountain environments, bringing adequate supplies as services are limited throughout the region.
