James L.
Scout
ScoutBuffalo Bluff RV Park
Camp review
Very nice camp ground, easy in and out. Bad part is no grass. No grass for dog park.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Ralston, WY
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Cody KOA accommodates pets with designated pet areas throughout the property, making it a reliable stop for travelers with dogs. The campground offers several accommodation options that welcome pets, including tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and cabins. Located just outside of Cody, the property maintains clean facilities with hot showers and a store stocked with camping essentials. Buffalo Bluff RV Park similarly welcomes pets with well-maintained grounds and level sites suitable for pet owners. Most sites throughout these campgrounds have a combination of gravel pads and sparse grass areas for pets to enjoy. The fenced dog park at Buffalo Bluff provides a secure area for dogs to exercise off-leash. Local campgrounds are searchable through The Dyrt's listings.
Cody BLM Dispersed camping areas near Ralston allow pets without additional fees, providing budget-friendly options for campers with dogs. These free camping areas require pets to be leashed or under voice control, with owners responsible for waste cleanup. Visitors note the Trout Ranch Camp offers a pet-friendly environment with access to the Shoshone River, though the river access depends on seasonal water levels. Most campgrounds in the region maintain standard pet policies requiring leashed pets outside designated exercise areas and prohibit leaving animals unattended at campsites. Summer temperatures in this region can reach dangerous levels for pets, so campers should ensure adequate shade and water sources when selecting campsites. The sites near Cody provide convenient access to veterinary services in town should emergency care be needed.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Ralston (53)
1. Cody KOA
"We are currently staying at Cody / Yellowstone East KOA Holiday in Cody, Wyoming, and it has been a fantastic basecamp for exploring the area."
"This campground is just outside Cody, WY. Easy access for people just passing through, just off a main road."
2. Cody BLM Dispersed
"This was a great base camp near Cody, Wyoming however, it does get extremely windy here. It’s a good location about an hour from the East entrance to Yellowstone National Park."
"Open spaces, enough room for my dog to run around off leash, cell service and quiet."
3. Absaroka Bay RV Park
"Close to town and the museum, which is why we stayed here. Sites are close together but we didn't care we were just staying one night. Easy in and out and there are eateries within walking distance."
"Close to the east entrance to Yellowstone this park is also in Cody, a cool town. Staff is nice bathhouse is clean."
from $40 - $90 / night
Check Availability4. Cody Trout Ranch Camp - RV, Tipi, and Sheep Wagon Camping
"Nice size dog area, but beware of the attacking black birds!!!! We had Wi-Fi when we first checked in. Within a few minutes rain came through & we lost power."
"It's located just outside of Cody a few miles, so you don't have to deal with the traffic noise or the light pollution. Star gazing is excellent."
from $46 - $135 / night
Check Availability5. Buffalo Bluff RV Park
"No grass for dog park."
"There’s a small fenced dog-park and plenty of area to walk the dogs. We received 4 bars on Verizon. We enjoyed our short stay and would consider staying here again."
from $60 - $75 / night
Check Availability6. North Fork Campground — Buffalo Bill State Park
"This was a great stop on a national parks trip in the Wyoming area. The campground was less busy than in the national parks. Sites were clean and large."
"Surrounded by mountains and right on the Shoshone River, this is a bit of Heaven on earth."
from $10 / night
Check Availability7. Big Quiet Farm Stay & Campground
from $65 - $150 / night
Check Availability8. Ponderosa Campground
"This is a great campground if you want to be close to town. Staff are very friendly and accommodating. The RV park is very dog friendly. The RV park also has a laundry room open 24 hours."
"Nice camp, relatively close to center. Possible walk to center cca 20min. 10 min to Buffalo Bill museum. Showers and restrooms very clean. Laundry well equipped with washing machins and dryers."
9. Parkway RV Campground
"If you tent, you will be camping on the greens in the center of the park with RVs surrounding you, but we didn't mind for one night."
10. Sheep Mountain BLM
"We could let our dogs explore and had lots of space. It was easy to level out the RV using the terrain. Later on, a car camper crew came next to us and were peaceful and respectful."
"There are some additional locations to park higher on the hill but the road to get there is a little more rough. I've seen smaller camper vans but we couldn't haul our big rig up there."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 35 min from Billings, MT
- 2 hrs 51 min from Bozeman, MT
- 3 hrs 25 min from Casper, WY
- 6 hrs 6 min from Idaho Falls, ID
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Ralston, WY
47 Photos of 53 Ralston Campgrounds
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Ralston, WY
441 Reviews of 53 Ralston Campgrounds
MickandKarla W.
LegendBuffalo Bluff RV Park
Good Short Stay Option in Cody
This review is based on a short term versus destination RV park point of view. Our arrival email stated not to arrive before 3:00 PM and we were coming in from about an hour away so we called the office to see if early arrival would be permitted. Since we were arriving on a Monday, well into September, our site was empty and we were told to come on in, which was nice. Check in was super fast and we proceeded to pull through site 18 with FHUs. Utilities were placed in the middle of the site which was nice. Buffalo Bluff is a fairly new campground(CG) and we were impressed with its cleanliness. We received a good amount of OTA stations plus they had cable with decent channel selections. Since there are no trees within the park, satellite would not be a problem. There’s a small fenced dog-park and plenty of area to walk the dogs. We received 4 bars on Verizon. We enjoyed our short stay and would consider staying here again.
- MMary A.Scout
Billings Village RV Park
Super
Very helpful office staff, help backing in (the dreaded electrical meters☹️), very clean. No picnic tables ; pets allowed, but I did not find a pet area? Very clean place; only stayed one night, but would go back.
Kevin M.
GuideCody KOA
Great Campground with lots for kids
We are currently staying at Cody / Yellowstone East KOA Holiday in Cody, Wyoming, and it has been a fantastic basecamp for exploring the area.
We booked one of their full-hookup Paw Pen sites, and if you're traveling with dogs, this setup is a total game changer. Each site includes a private fenced-in area where your dogs can relax outside with you while staying safely contained. The pen even comes equipped with a trash can, waste bags, and a covered shelter to help keep your pets comfortable during the hotter parts of the day.
The campground also offers plenty of activities for families. Amenities include a swimming pool, hot tub, kiddie pool, jump pillow, playground, large outdoor chess set, and gem mining. There is no shortage of ways to keep the kids entertained after a day of sightseeing.
One of our favorite perks has been the complimentary pancake breakfast served every morning. The kids made sure not to miss it, and for good reason. The pancakes are excellent, and the gentleman cooking them is incredibly friendly and welcoming.
If you're planning to attend the Cody Nite Rodeo, the KOA makes it easy. Tickets can be purchased right at the front desk, and the campground offers a free shuttle service that takes you directly to the rodeo entrance and brings you back afterward.
This was our family's first rodeo, and it exceeded every expectation. The atmosphere was welcoming, family-friendly, and packed with energy. The kids stayed engaged the entire evening and even had the opportunity to participate in activities down in the arena. Watching the cowboys and cowgirls work with their horses was truly impressive, showcasing a level of skill, care, and precision that is hard to appreciate until you see it in person. If you've never experienced a rodeo before, I highly recommend adding one to your travel plans.
While in the area, we also explored McCullough Peaks and Gilmore Hill. These scenic backroads wind through the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Management Area, home to more than 140 wild horses roaming freely across approximately 110,000 acres. We were fortunate enough to spot a small herd of three horses grazing peacefully and spent some time watching them. We also saw an incredible number of pronghorn throughout the area.
If you have a capable vehicle and are comfortable driving on gravel and dirt roads, I highly recommend making the trip out to McCullough Peaks. The wide-open landscapes, abundant wildlife, and chance to see wild horses in their natural habitat make for an unforgettable Wyoming experience.
Drew W.GuideSunlight Rangers Cabin
Loved the cabins, and great hiking!
I really enjoyed my stay at the Sunlight Rangers Cabin. I am a huge outdoors person, so coming here was perfect for me. There are some awesome hiking trails that lead you to some great views and scenery. The campground is located within the Shoshone National Forest and near Sunlight Creek. The scenery that surrounds the cabin is beautiful- lots of trees and mountains. The cabin was really nice, clean and well kept. You do have to call ahead of time to make your reservations because they do not take walk-ins. You do need to bring your own food and supplies because the campground does not provide that. You also are responsible for cleaning the cabin before you leave- they did tell us that you will be charged if you leave the place a mess. They do provide some cleaning products. Also, no pets are allowed. Thankfully we asked when we were booking the place, or else we would have brought our dog. We stayed in a 2 bedroom cabin, and had 4 people. The two bedroom cabin was plenty of room for the 4 of us. The cabins have all the amenities you need- a kitchen (table, stove, fridge), full bathrooms, living room (with fireplace), and beds. You do need to bring your own sheets and sleeping bags. During my stay, we hiked both days. We did Bonneville Pass and Jade Lakes. Jade Lakes was a pretty easy hike, however Bonneville Pass was definitely harder. Great views for both! I would definitely recommend hiking at least once during your stay. The Shoshone National Forest offers a great variety of hikes for all levels. I would just do your research beforehand so you don't get stuck doing a hike you can't handle. I would recommend this campground (however, it is about $150 a night, but worth it!).
TopherGuideCody BLM Dispersed
Great Base Camp
This was a great base camp near Cody, Wyoming however, it does get extremely windy here. It’s a good location about an hour from the East entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Also the Outlaw mountain biking trails are really good and they are nearby. There is plenty to do in Cody Wyoming. It’s a great town and this is a wonderful place to stay. Just beware of the deer mice ensure that your camping situation is completely sealed up. This is easy in and easy out and would be just fine in the rain. This is searchable on Google maps as Eagle Pass South. Eagle Pass North is on the other side of the road.
- NN I.Legend
Elk Fork Campground
Bearly Bear
Open year round Services discontinued the end of September through May
Fees: $10.00
Stay limit 16 days
Pit toilet trash fire ring bear box picnic table camp host
GRIZZLY bear area so be bear aware bear spray is a very good idea and be prepared
Sites are flat but they are very small. Pets on a leash. The backdrop is amazing. Campground is on the road to Yellowstone and you really can't beat the price unless you find a boondocking spot somewhere else. There are horse corrals and trailer parking near.
Directions: From Cody, travel west on US Highway14/16/20 for 28 miles to the campground.
Gretchen B.
RangerWapiti Campground
Between Cody, WY and Yellowstone Park
This campground is about equal distances from the east entrance to Yellowstone park and Cody, WY. By Wyoming standards, it's a large campground (40 sites, many with electric hookup). The campground does permit tent camping, which the campgrounds closer to the east entrance do not. That being said, it lacks the intimacy and atmosphere of many Wyoming campgrounds. One must endure the sounds of generators and the highway. It's definitely a good place to camp while getting from Point A to Point B, but much better options exist for a relaxing camping trip.
Laura C.GuideSage Creek Campground
Wildlife galore! FREE
We loved loved loved this campground! It is just an open circle and you can pitch a tent anywhere or car camp around it. You don’t usually find FREE camping in the middle of a National Park so this was awesome. Bison walked right through the campground, prairie dogs surrounded it and coyotes howled in the (not so) distance. There are covered picnic tables which are nice in the heat of the summer.
Guide to Ralston
Ralston, Wyoming camping areas sit at approximately 4,800 feet elevation, experiencing hot summer days that can reach 90°F and cool evenings dropping to the 50s. The region features sagebrush plains transitioning to mountainous terrain with camping options spanning from basic BLM sites to full-service RV parks. Water access varies seasonally with the Shoshone River reaching high flows during spring runoff.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Shoshone River offers fishing access from multiple campgrounds near Ralston. At Cody Trout Ranch Camp, campers can fish both the river and a dedicated trout pond. "There's so much to do here! My littles (6&8) loved the playground, the fishing pond," reports Elizabeth M., noting the family-friendly setup.
Museum exploration: Located minutes from several campgrounds, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West provides educational opportunities. "Close enough to the Buffalo Bill museum," mentions Laurie V. about Ponderosa Campground, highlighting the convenience for cultural activities while base camping.
Stargazing: Dark skies away from town lights create excellent night viewing conditions. At Cody BLM Dispersed sites, Chris N. describes "a humongous 360 degree sky view" and notes "July 1 was dry and there were herds of deer and a small pack of coyotes wailing in the distance at night."
What campers like
Level sites: Many campgrounds feature level areas suitable for all camping setups. "Sites are extremely close. There are no trees. Hook ups for RVs are adequate," notes Joan about Cody KOA, describing the practical layout despite the proximity to neighbors.
Clean facilities: North Fork Campground at Buffalo Bill State Park maintains well-kept bathrooms and showers. "Facilities were very clean. Nice playground for the kids," comments James N., highlighting the maintained amenities.
Pool access: Swimming options exist at select campgrounds during hot summer months. "The pool area is the highlight with 2 pools (one kiddie) and a hot tub. All very clean," according to Joan's review of Cody KOA, providing details about water recreation options.
Pet exercise areas: Dedicated spaces for dogs exist at multiple properties. "The fenced dog park provides a secure area for dogs to exercise off-leash," explains one camper about pet-friendly camping near Ralston, Wyoming, where dogs can safely play.
What you should know
Site spacing concerns: Many campgrounds have sites positioned close together. "Sites are extremely close together. There are no trees," explains Douglas S. about Cody KOA, noting the lack of privacy between camping units.
Weather patterns: The region experiences significant weather fluctuations. "It did get very windy but died down through the night," reports Laura M. about Cody BLM Dispersed, describing typical evening conditions.
Hunting activities: Be aware of seasonal hunting in BLM areas. "There was a group of hunters that came around to check things out in the evening, then returned the next morning and shot an antelope from the next ridge over," Laura M. observed at Cody BLM Dispersed.
Road conditions: Access to some camping areas requires navigating unpaved roads. "The road in is rocky dirt but easily doable in our 26' class C. Any size rig should do fine here," notes Laura M. about Cody BLM Dispersed areas.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play equipment for children. "The basketball area is very nice too but too hot to play for us today. There's a playground, large outdoor chess and scrabble," writes Joan about recreation options at Cody KOA.
Family accommodations: Absaroka Bay RV Park provides spaces suitable for family camping. "Very clean friendly spot with full hook ups. Not much green space at all but it was great for our overnight spot before heading into Yellowstone," reports Mike B.
Free breakfast options: Some campgrounds include morning meals. "The campground serves pancakes in the morning for free. You buy extras like sausage juice etc. reasonable price," explains Charley K. about one property's food amenities.
Noise considerations: Traffic and travel sounds affect some campgrounds. "Quite a bit of road noise, even through the night," notes Mike B. about Absaroka Bay RV Park, which may impact light sleepers.
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: Consider utility connections when selecting sites. "Utilities were placed in the middle of the site which was nice," MickandKarla W. reports about Buffalo Bluff RV Park, highlighting the convenient placement.
Site length limitations: Some campgrounds have restricted space for larger setups. "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," explains James L. about space constraints at one property.
Water issues: Hard water affects some facilities. "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," advises Mike B. about maintenance considerations.
Wi-Fi availability: Internet access varies significantly between properties. "We received a good amount of OTA stations plus they had cable with decent channel selections. Since there are no trees within the park, satellite would not be a problem. We received 4 bars on Verizon," reports MickandKarla W. about Buffalo Bluff RV Park's connectivity options.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ralston, WY is Cody KOA with a 4.3-star rating from 21 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
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TheDyrt.com has all 53 dog-friendly camping locations near Ralston, WY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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