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.

Best Tent Sites Near Dayton, Wyoming (16)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Dayton, WY

3 Photos of 16 Dayton Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Dayton, WY

414 Reviews of 16 Dayton Campgrounds


  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2021

    Bighorn National Forest Tie Flume Campground

    Pines Galore Bears Adore

    Bear Country

    Sites:  27

    Reservations:  877-444-6777 or recreation.gov

    On site Host 

    Limit:  14 days

    Fees:  $18.00 with $9.00 for extra vehicle

    Open:  June - September end of season

    Water during season stays open but geared down services

    Bear Aware, bear safe, picnic table, grill, fire ring.  Gravel sites that are fairly flat with pine forest in and among the sites.  Pit toilet was very clean.  This campground is over 8000 feet with no electric.  There are several sites that are great for solar.  Loop A closes early in the fall.  During season the camp host sells firewood.  This is a beautiful campground with wonderful backdrop.

    From Dayton, Wyoming: Travel 26.5 miles west on U.S. Highway 14 to Burgess Junction. Take a left and continue 5 miles south on U.S. Highway 14, then turn east(right) onto Forest Road 26. Travel about 2 miles to the junction with Forest Road 16, where the campground is located.

    LNT

    BTYFI

    Travel safe

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2021

    Bighorn National Forest Sibley Lake Campground

    Country Time

    Reservations: 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov 

    Sites: 25 15 single with electric 9 single without electric 1 tent site 

    Fee: $18.00 $23.00 for electric $10.00 additional vehicle 

    Reservable sites: 16 single (14 with electric) 

    Open: June with electric, during winter electric loop is closed 

    Limit: 14 days 

    Bear Aware, potable water, pit toilets, host on site, bear box, lantern pole, picnic table, fire ring, grill, fish cleaning table. There is a "small" lake in the campground. The pit toilet is very clean. While closed for season the amenities are closed the campground remains open. It runs on a Pack it in, Pack it out. Beautiful pine forest with amazing mountains for the backdrop.

     LNT

     BTYFI 

    Travel safe

  • Jennifer K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Shell Creek

    Paradise!

    Beautiful little campground with 15 spots. Each have a picnic table, fire ring and a charcoal grill. Some tent only sites and a few large enough for rvs. We're in 15 with plenty of space to not have to unhook our 26 foot trailer. Water is available and clean vault toilets. Campfire wood available at host for $6. Host is awesome! We spent a decent amount talking about the area and solar power stuff. Aside from the creek its mostly dead quiet here besides a group has some dirt bikes that come and go once in a while and the occasional camper or side by side coming down the road. 10/10 would recommend. Beautiful scenery and people seem to enjoy fishing here as well. There is a couple spots to park for just fishing. There is a couple bear boxes for tents campers as well. We havnt seen bears in the immediate area but we did see a mother and baby black bear about 10 miles down the road. Beautiful dear in the area. Chipmunks and birds too. Host said there are moose and coyotes in the area but we havnt seen any yet. Definitely lots of mosquitos so bring your spray or thermacells. It's mid August and it's starting to cool down. About 75 during the day and low 50s at night. No electric or rv dump here you must go to Burgess station to dump. (No posted price/donations appreciated) no dumpsters here but a few bear resistant trash cans for small amounts of trash. The water spigots dont have threads either and not meant to fill rv tanks.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2021

    Lakeview Campground

    Beautiful

    Camp Host on Site

    Fee area $19.75   

    Reservations 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov 

    Open June close Sep

    14 day limit 

    20 sites 11 single 1 double 8 tent only 

    Picnic table drinking water fire ring/grill fish cleaning station lantern pole trash wood for sale tent camping site only (loop A) 

    Campground is covered with pine for nicely shaded sites. Gravel and not exactly level. Most are not conducive for solar. 

    Lake View lives up to it’s name. We had a beautiful view of the small lake and the mountains behind. Access to the lake is by walking a distance or going out to the highway and driving a short distance to the boat ramp which is about 1/10 of a mile. The boat ramp is also a day use fee area with a pit toilet. 

    Directions: From Ten Sleep, WY take Highway 16 for about 21.3 miles, turn right at the campground sign

    LNT

    Better than when ypu found it

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 28, 2021

    Dead Swede

    Totally Awesome

    Dates:  June - Oct

    Limit:  14 days

    Fee:  $18.00 per night

              $9.00 per additional vehicle

    Sites:  13 reservable

    Reservations:  877-444-6777 or recreation.gov

    Pit toilets, potable water, picnic table, grill, gravel pads, lantern pole, camp host

    Beautiful space set amoung the tall pines.  Area is well kept and hiking galore.

    Dead Swede Campground is named for the gentleman whose grave is located there.  It is located in the Bighorn Scenic Byway and is well worth the trip.  The campground is located east of U.S. Highway 14.  While there check out the South Tongue River which is great for fishing.

    From Dayton, WY, take US 14 west for about 40.2 miles to Tie Flume/Dead Swede and Forest System Road(FSR) 26 signs. Turn left onto FSR 26 and go another 4.7 miles. Campground is on the left.

    LNT

    BTYFI

    Travel safe

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2021

    Porcupine Campground (WY)

    Primitive High

    Fee:  $17.00 per night, additional vehicle $9.00

    Sites:  16 Accessible with 12 sites reserve 2 tent only

    Limit 14 days

    In Season: trash and water

    Out of Season:  No water or trash

    Open:  June

    Beautiful pine forest at the top of the mountain on a gravel road.  Camphost  is located at the Bald Mountain Campground.  Sites are small with picnic table, fire ring, back in sites.  Some sites are good for solar and some are shady.  The countryside and mountain back drop is beautiful.  Very peaceful.

    LNT

    BTYFI

    Travel safe

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2021

    Bald Mountain Campground

    Beautiful High

    Limit:  14 days

    June 1 - October 1

    Sites:  15 single accessible 

    Fee:  $17.00 per night, additional vehicle fee $9.00

    Reservations:  877-444-6777 or recreation.gov

    In season there is potable water, trash service, out of season NO water, NO trash.  Pack it in Pack it out, Host on site.  Picnic table, fire ring, lantern post, ped grill, pit toilets.  The views are amazing with the beautiful mountains for the back drop.  Sites are dirt and short and close together.  Some shade and some sun.  There is even a place to off load 4 wheeler out of back of truck without ramps.

    LNT

    BTYFI

    Travel safe

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2019

    Sitting Bull Campground

    Nice views of the Bighorn mountains

    On Highway 16 across from the lake. There are great views of the mountains with nice wooded sites. The vault toilets were really clean and there was some bit of privacy between sites. Each site had the usual picnic table and fire pit (no bear boxes). In the evening there was a lot of wildlife in the meadow to watch, so try and get a site on the outside of the loop so you can watch. Because it was early in the season (the campground had only been open for a week when I arrived), they were not collecting fees yet (I double checked with the campground host). North Cove was across the street from the entrance and was very popular with fishermen and boaters.


Guide to Dayton

Bighorn National Forest encompasses the camping areas surrounding Dayton, Wyoming. Elevations in this region typically range from 4,000 to over 10,000 feet, creating distinct microclimates and camping conditions throughout the season. Weather patterns shift rapidly in these mountains, with temperature differences of 30-40 degrees possible between day and night, especially at higher elevations during tent camping trips near Dayton, Wyoming.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Shell Reservoir Camping Area offers brook trout fishing in both the lake and surrounding creeks. "Beautiful campsites, brook trout fishing in the lake and the creek below, as well as a 4x4 trail that makes a large loop between shell reservoir and lake Adelaide. We'll definitely be back!" notes Tyler R. about the fishing potential.

Hiking trails: Access multiple trailheads for day hikes or backpacking from tent camping areas near Dayton. The Bucking Mule Falls Trailhead provides starting points for several routes ranging from 3-8 miles. Little Bighorn West Trailhead connects to backcountry paths with limited signage, requiring proper navigation equipment.

Water recreation: Camp at Big Horn NRC Dispersed area for direct water access. John H. describes the experience as "Amazing views" with opportunities to camp "next to the water." This area allows boat-in camping options for paddlers or small watercraft users seeking remote shoreline tent sites.

What campers like

Mountain views: Tent campers consistently mention the scenic vistas from camp. At Afterbay, Melani T. reports, "One hike is 8 miles round trip and it has the most amazing views ever. Views of the lake and mountains all around. You can't beat that."

Solitude in dispersed areas: Big Horn NRC Dispersed camping areas provide free primitive camping with fewer crowds than established sites. This location allows flexibility for selecting sites with optimal sun/shade balance.

Shade availability: Several camping areas offer tree cover for summer temperature management. "There are plenty of trees that provide great shade," notes Melani T. about Afterbay campground, though she cautions about insects: "Lots of bugs and mosquitos during the summer so I'd recommend good mosquito spray."

What you should know

Facility conditions vary significantly: Many sites show signs of limited maintenance. At Cabin Creek Campground, camper Monica W. warns, "It appears this was at one time a campground. Now overgrown and has one pit toilet that has been neglected."

Access restrictions: High-clearance vehicles required for certain areas, particularly after weather events. Tyler R. notes about Shell Reservoir Camping Area: "High clearance 4x4 needed" to reach the camping spots.

Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes rapidly year-round. When camping at Afterbay, consider Melani T.'s experience: "We have come in the winter and stayed in our RV (see snow pictures) and we have come in the summer." Temperature swings of 40+ degrees can occur within 24 hours.

Limited supplies: No nearby stores or facilities for most tent camping locations. "Bring your own fire wood because they don't have any for sale close by. Also bring water because they don't have any water hookups," advises Melani T. about camping preparation.

Tips for camping with families

Community recreation areas: Some campgrounds provide shared spaces for group activities. Sasha W. describes Afterbay: "Within the campground there is a large grass area where people were playing horseshoes, volleyball and spike ball. My family and I enjoyed hanging out in this area, throwing a frisbee around with our dog."

Water play options: Seek campsites near lakes for swimming during summer months. "Enjoyed swimming and playing fetch in the water with our dog. Loved our stay and can't wait to come back!" reports Sasha W. about nearby lake access.

Bathroom facilities: Prepare for rustic toilet facilities or bring portable options. "The restrooms weren't the cleanest, but they were portapotties which to me are never clean! Bring your own toilet paper, they ran out the last day we stayed," notes Sasha W. about Afterbay.

Tips from RVers

Winter preparation: Some areas permit winter RV camping with proper equipment. Melani T. shares: "We have come in the winter and stayed in our RV" at Afterbay, indicating year-round accessibility for properly equipped vehicles.

Size restrictions: Most tent camping areas near Dayton have limited space for larger rigs. The majority of roads to remote sites like Shell Reservoir Camping Area have tight turns and rough surfaces unsuitable for large trailers.

Reservation planning: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. "If you are planning to come in the summer I would recommend making your reservation ahead of time. We have stayed here twice and both times all the campsites were full," advises Melani T. about securing camping spots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Dayton, WY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dayton, WY is Burgess RV Dump Station with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Dayton, WY?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Dayton, WY, with real photos and reviews from campers.