Best Dispersed Camping near Hyattville, WY
Primitive dispersed camping is abundant throughout Bighorn National Forest near Hyattville, Wyoming, where multiple free off-grid campsites exist along forest roads and meadows. The area includes several established dispersed zones including Castle Gardens, Circle Road, Crazy Woman Canyon Road, Canyon Creek Road, and Forest Road 131. These public land camping areas are managed primarily by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, with most sites positioned along dirt roads that branch from main highways into forest clearings and meadows.
Many access routes require careful navigation, with road conditions varying from well-maintained dirt roads to rougher terrain with occasional washboarding and potholes. Most dispersed sites have a 14-day stay limit, as enforced by regular ranger patrols. Several locations like Circle Road are accessible to larger vehicles and RVs, while narrower routes such as Crazy Woman Canyon Road are better suited for smaller vehicles and tent camping. Water crossings exist on some routes, particularly near Canyon Creek Dispersed. The majority of sites offer no amenities - no potable water, no toilets, and no trash service, requiring campers to pack in and pack out all supplies.
The dispersed camping areas around Hyattville feature diverse terrain ranging from open meadows with mountain views to secluded forest settings and riverside locations. Wildlife sightings are common, with campers reporting moose, fox, and pronghorn antelope near their sites. Elevation at many sites reaches approximately 9,000 feet, providing relief from summer heat. Cell service varies dramatically by location - some areas maintain minimal coverage while others have none. "The entire Bighorn NF area is saturated with dispersed camping," noted one visitor to Canyon Creek Road. Another camper at Crazy Woman Canyon Road described it as "a one-lane road with a few wide spots to pass oncoming vehicles" that "starts off flat but drops steeply" into the canyon.
