The Bighorn Canyon Recreation Area near Lovell, Wyoming sits at approximately 4,100 feet elevation and features dramatic limestone cliffs rising over 1,000 feet above the Bighorn River. Weather can change rapidly in this high desert region, with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F during the day but dropping significantly at night. Most campgrounds in the area remain open from May through September, with limited winter camping options.
What to do
Fishing at trout ponds: At Cody Trout Ranch Camp, campers can fish in the stocked trout pond when not exploring the region. "There's so much to do here! My littles (6&8) loved the playground, the fishing pond, it's far enough from the road to be quiet and safe," notes one visitor. The ranch is located about 40 miles from Lovell.
Wildlife viewing: Areas around Horseshoe Bend Campground offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. "We heard coyotes our first night but did not see any wildlife. The campsite is conveniently located next to the horseshoe bend marina, where you can rent kayaks and canoes, and I think they rent boats as well," shares one camper who visited the area.
Boat tours: Take a canyon boat ride from the marina near Horseshoe Bend Campground. According to a visitor, the campground host "had great ideas about taking the canyon boat ride (about $40 for a two hour tour), checking out Devils Canyon, or looking for bighorn sheep and Pryor Mountain wild horses (both of which I saw!)."
What campers like
Spacious sites: The campgrounds around Lovell typically provide ample space between sites. "The sites were spacious, some with electric and water. The facilities were clean and even flushed! Hiking trails galore, and the boat ramp was easily accessible," reports a visitor to Horseshoe Bend Campground.
Dark skies for stargazing: The remote location offers excellent night sky viewing. "Sky is very, very dark and you can see so much on a clear night. Great for anybody with an astronomy hobby!" notes a camper at Horseshoe Bend Campground. Areas away from town lights provide the best viewing conditions.
Clean facilities: Buffalo Bluff RV Park maintains high standards for their amenities. "Clean and very nice bathrooms with showers. Like home. Internet is good. Away from noisy interstates," mentions a recent visitor. Another camper adds, "The sites are little tight, but very level. Clean showers and laundry facility."
What you should know
Temperature fluctuations: Prepare for both hot days and cool nights. A camper at Horseshoe Bend Campground reports, "This campsite is very flat! There's no shade, so be prepared to be hot. The first night got chilly at night but was perfect. The second night was incredibly windy so we couldn't have a fire."
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Perry's RV and Campgrounds, about 40 miles from Lovell, visitors reported good service, while more remote locations may have limited connectivity. This differs from established parks near town.
Limited shade options: Many campgrounds in the area lack significant tree cover. "It's new so the trees are pretty young still," notes a camper at Cody Trout Ranch Camp. At Horseshoe Bend, a visitor advises, "I highly suggest you pay the extra couple bucks for a site with the covered picnic table to get some shade."
Tips for camping with families
Bear safety protocols: Properly store food when camping in this region. "Clearly states bear area and to keep all foods properly contained. However as far as I've seen there are only bear boxes in the picnic area by the marina," reports a visitor at Horseshoe Bend Campground, noting the limited availability of bear boxes.
Kid-friendly activities: Trail Creek & Barry's Landing Campground provides a quieter environment for families. "This campsite is tucked away in a valley, humidity is usually low so u can beat the summer heat by staying in the shade. Very quite. Not many people visit this place," shares one camper.
Playground access: Some RV parks offer dedicated play areas for children. As one visitor to Cody Trout Ranch Camp mentioned, "My littles (6&8) loved the playground, the fishing pond, it's far enough from the road to be quiet and safe." Consider campgrounds with these amenities when planning RV camping near Lovell with children.
Tips from RVers
Power reliability concerns: Be prepared for possible outages at some locations. At Cody Trout Ranch Camp, one RVer noted: "We lost power twice while we were there. The local power company needs to trim some trees or update the grid." Consider having backup power options if depending on electricity.
Site specifications: Absaroka Bay RV Park offers pull-through sites but space can be limited. "All pull-thru sites. 50, 30 and 20 amp service with water and sewer. Sites are short. When we checked in they asked us to park behind are bumper pull camper. The site was to short. So the said we could park in the next site over," reports one RVer.
Hard water issues: Some parks use irrigation systems that may affect your vehicle. "One other point of concern is that the campground waters every night, with very hard water that leaves tough to remove spots on you camper and vehicle. Get them off ASAP," warns a visitor to Absaroka Bay RV Park, located about an hour from Lovell.
