Dispersed camping options near Saddlestring, Wyoming range from high-elevation meadow sites at 8,000+ feet to canyon-based camping along rushing creeks. The eastern edge of the Bighorn Mountains provides campers with varied terrain within a 30-minute drive from Buffalo, the nearest major supply point. Weather patterns in this region create significant temperature variations, with nighttime lows reaching the 40s even during summer months.
What to do
Wildlife watching at dawn: Mikesell Potts Recreation Area offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities along the lakeshore. "We get there early evening before sunset and another camper but is," notes one visitor, highlighting the peaceful timing for animal sightings. Pronghorn antelope are commonly spotted grazing near campsites.
Hiking the Cloud Peak Wilderness: Access spectacular trails from Circle Park Campground, which serves as a trailhead gateway. A visitor mentioned, "The Circle Park trail is incredible, with a hike up to a great lake (several fellows were hooking decent sized fish)." The trailhead parking area is approximately 3 miles down Circle Park Road.
Boulder exploration with kids: Many sites feature natural rock formations perfect for children's play. As one camper at Circle Park observed, "Found a great site with a Boulder yard nearby that the kids spent the entire afternoon playing on." These natural playgrounds provide hours of entertainment without structured facilities.
What campers like
Creek-side camping spots: Middle Fork Campground offers riverside sites where you can sleep to the sound of rushing water. "We loved it here! Very quiet and lots of trees for shade. It looked like most of the sites were creek-front, ours was. We set up our hammocks and enjoyed the cool breeze and sound," one camper reported.
Private forest sites: South Fork Campground features wooded campsites with enough separation for privacy. "The walk-in sites here are stunning—only a short walk from your car to the sites. Scenery is gorgeous, and this is a quiet, off the beaten track campground," notes a visitor who easily found a site on a Friday afternoon.
Open meadow views: Dispersed camping along Grouse Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 403 provides panoramic mountain vistas in open settings. One camper shared, "This site is unreal. And the fact that it's free makes it even more unbelievable. The views are spectacular, and the sites are pretty level." Sites here work well for solar power collection.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to Crazy Woman Canyon Road requires careful driving. "The road is one lane with a few wide spots to pass oncoming vehicles. It starts off flat but drops steeply and continues the downward angle," warns one visitor. Not recommended for large trailers or inexperienced drivers.
Limited cell service: Connectivity is minimal at most campsites in the region. At Circle Road Dispersed Camping, "Verizon coverage is decent along the road, but I turned off on FR 375 and the Verizon died where I was." Plan accordingly for emergency communications.
Seasonal closures and conditions: Some areas close unexpectedly for maintenance or weather conditions. Crazy Woman Canyon was reported "closed about 10 minutes from where google maps was taking us without an indication why" by a visitor in April 2024, and another noted it was "currently closed indefinitely due to construction" in July.
Tips for camping with families
Water access sites: Campsites near Saddlestring with water features provide natural entertainment. At Buffalo KOA, "Very clean campsites and facilities! Friendly family staff! Easy access to the creek!" making it ideal for children who want to splash and play.
Cold weather preparation: Even summer camping requires warm clothing. At Grouse Mountain Basecamp, a camper noted "The temperature got down to 45° which is perfect for me for sleeping." Pack appropriate sleeping bags and layers for children.
Playground access: Some established campgrounds offer structured play areas. Indian Campground provides recreational facilities though one visitor mentioned it "could use better playground/kids area" while noting the overall experience was positive.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many dispersed sites require work to level rigs. At Circle Road Dispersed Camping, a visitor mentioned, "Site was not very level, so be prepared for that." Bring leveling blocks and chocks.
RV-friendly dispersed sites: Several free camping areas accommodate larger rigs with proper planning. At Grouse Mountain Basecamp, an RVer shared, "We love dispersed camping but hauling a 25' airstream makes a lot of sites inaccessible despite our lift and rugged tires! But not here! It's a level, smooth, dirt road where you pull off the side anywhere you choose."
Hookup options: Full-service options are limited but available in Buffalo. Indian Campground offers complete hookups, with one RVer noting, "We were in RV site 6, which was right next to the pool. The site was level, and included water, electric, and sewer hookups."
