Camping near Saddlestring, WY

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Campgrounds near Saddlestring, Wyoming range from rustic dispersed sites to full-service RV parks, with several options located in the Bighorn Mountains region. The area includes established facilities like Buffalo KOA, which offers cabins and RV sites with hookups, alongside more primitive options such as Grouse Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 403 for dispersed camping. Both tent and RV camping are well-supported throughout the region, with Circle Road Dispersed Camping providing free sites and Indian Campground offering more developed amenities. Public lands in the vicinity accommodate various camping styles, from backpacking to drive-in access.

    Road conditions vary significantly depending on location, with some campgrounds accessible via gravel or dirt roads that may require careful navigation. Many campgrounds in the Bighorn Mountains area operate seasonally, typically from May through September due to Wyoming's high elevation weather patterns. According to one visitor, "It's a dirt/rock road and you'll be on it for 7 miles. Along the route is a half dozen other campgrounds." Campground reservations are recommended during peak summer months, particularly for established sites like South Fork Campground, which has a 14-day stay limit. Temperatures can drop significantly at night even in summer months due to elevations exceeding 8,000 feet in some camping areas, requiring proper preparation for cold-weather camping.

    Waterfront camping spots receive particular attention in visitor reviews, with several campgrounds situated along creeks and small lakes. The Buffalo KOA provides sites "along a babbling brook" that visitors find particularly appealing for the ambient sound of running water. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with moose sightings reported near several campgrounds. A review noted, "The campground is covered with pine for nicely shaded sites," highlighting the natural setting many visitors appreciate. Campgrounds near water sources tend to fill quickly during summer weekends, while more remote dispersed sites offer greater solitude but fewer amenities. Tent-only sections at West Tensleep Lake Campground provide a more secluded experience while maintaining access to vault toilets and other basic facilities.

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    Best Campgrounds near Saddlestring (98)

      1. Grouse Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 403

      4.8(30)9mi from SaddlestringRVs, Tents

      "We got here late in the day after driving through Buffalo Wyoming and found a spot immediately. There's lots of Open spaces for the dog to run and for us."

      "If you’re coming in from Buffalo Wyoming, is the perfect spot to stop and reset. The 2500 ft climb will test your rig and there’s 2500 more feet to go before you begin the decent. Perfect!"

      2. Mikesell Potts Recreation Area

      4.8(16)8mi from SaddlestringRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "I have to say I found this campground on Dyrt traveling to South Dakota and it is an amazing quiet, clean campground right on a small lake."

      "Beautiful lake . You can camp next to the lake . There doing improvements to the campground."

      from $15 - $20 / night

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      3. Indian Campground

      4.2(20)12mi from SaddlestringRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "There is also a bathroom and shower building in the rear of the property close to row H and next to the little cabins."

      "The gravel drive and lots are compacted and easy to maneuver with an electric wheelchair. I think a manual could do it as well."

      4. Buffalo KOA

      4.5(17)12mi from SaddlestringRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "We stayed at the Buffalo Wyoming KOA in August 2021. This is a very nice KOA park and in fact was our favorite KOA that we have visited."

      "A bit lower key than most KOA’s (that’s a positive for me)."

      from $50 - $80 / night

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      5. South Fork (wyoming)

      4.7(13)12mi from Saddlestring14 sitesRVs, Tents

      "This area of Wyoming wasn't exactly our destination- we were passing through on our way from SD to Yellowstone."

      "There a hike trails near by and easy access to fishing at Tie Hack reservoir."

      from $20 / night

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      6. Circle Road Dispersed Camping

      4.8(12)12mi from SaddlestringRVs, Tents

      "If you go here, please only park or drive in designated areas. Several vehicles went off road which is not allowed and forces the Rangers to limit camping spots."

      "Moose were frequenting the lower valley area so beware that you could step out and see a Moose. Nice view of the mountains. We only had a handful of neighbors the closest one was maybe 100 yards away."

      7. Circle Park Campground

      4.6(13)13mi from Saddlestring10 sitesRVs, Tents

      "This is a tiny campground in the Cloud Peak Wilderness area near the popular Circle Park Trailhead."

      "Quite a few people bring their horses and/or off road toys. Great mountain views! Worth the trip every time."

      from $19 / night

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      8. Middle Fork

      4.4(9)11mi from Saddlestring9 sitesRVs, Tents

      "We got the last spot right next to the entrance. Fire pit, picnic table, no-flush toilets close, no water to wash your hands. 22 for the night. No mobile connection at all, no Wi-Fi."

      "The campsites are far apart and all of them are next to a serene mountain river."

      from $20 - $40 / night

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      9. Tie Hack

      4.6(8)12mi from Saddlestring20 sitesRVs, Tents

      "You’ll have to go to Leigh Creek Dump station at the summit on highway 16 or go to the town of Buffalo at the Cenex fuel station. This campground was nicely located."

      "Many sites are reservable but some are kept for walk-in camping. The water is amazingly good.  Explore the rocky mountain and let the kids discover new places."

      from $20 / night

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      10. Deer Park RV Park and Campground

      4.0(8)13mi from SaddlestringRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Since we make a couple trips this way each year we will plan on being here again, maybe for 2 or 3 days so we can just relax and use the pool and walking trail. WiFi works great here also!"

      "No dog park but plenty of room to walk them. Cheaper than the KOA down the street"

      from $43 - $62 / night

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    Recent Reviews near Saddlestring, WY

    463 Reviews of 98 Saddlestring Campgrounds

    • Lucy B.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 26, 2026

      Mikesell Potts Recreation Area

      Beautiful Lakeside Spot

      Tent camper family of 6. Very well maintained campground. $15 to camp (must pay via cash). New playground, Several spots directly on the lake. Plenty of access to the lake for swimming. Firewood for sale $5. Quiet spot. Only downside was no potable water. Best hidden tent spot is 123 past the Dead End sign.

    • Michael G.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 24, 2026

      Prune Creek

      Worth going to

      Camp host keeps the bathrooms very clean. Camp spots are large and spaced a good distance apart. Moose like to visit the area. We had one lie down close, about 30 yards, to us for breakfast. ( mom and off spring, bull was about 100 yards away) Paved rood near, a little noisy in the day but very quiet at night. U

    • MThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 21, 2026

      Grouse Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 403

      Perfect stop for one night

      Perfect for overnight stop while passing through. Views were amazing and cows friendly 😁. Very windy when we arrived but calmed down later in the evening. Some road noice to be expected but not bad at all. Lots of space to spread out.

    • Lucy B.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 20, 2026

      lake desmet recreation area

      Quiet Lakeside Tent Spot

      Look for spot 123. It’s a hidden gem. You must go past the Dead End sign to find it. Lake views from all sides. Surrounded by lake views and trees. Must walk across large boulders to get to the water but perfect launch point for innertubes. Water was clean and clear and perfect temperature for hot day. Only $15/night (must pay by cash), bundles of firewood for $5 available via Venmo to local Boy Scout Troop. Only downside is you need to bring your own water.

    • Michael G.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 18, 2026

      Connor Battlefield State Historic Site

      Camp ground next to town

      Grounds are clean and will keep, bathroom are ok. Mostly quiet, just a train once and a while didn't hear any at night. Nice place for overnight stay. Dog friendly.

    • BThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 17, 2026

      Jackelope Campground

      Good for an overnight stop

      Not a bad place for an overnight stop. It’s quiet it’s clean not the best of you though.

    • NThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 16, 2026

      East Fork

      Beautiful location but beware the roads

      Lovely and well-maintained campsite, well worth the $20 fee, tucked away, takes a bit to get there. Lots of ATV campers. Steep grade of unpaved road for 9 miles, something like 2000 or 3000 feet. Make sure you have the car for it--though I did see a friendly family that had climbed it w two trailers and a camper van. Maybe about 12 sites? When I got in at 6pm, it was half-full. Has water and clean bathrooms.

    Guide to Saddlestring

    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."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What camping is available near Saddlestring, WY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Saddlestring, WY offers a wide range of camping options, with 98 campgrounds and RV parks near Saddlestring, WY and 16 free dispersed camping spots.

    Which is the most popular campground near Saddlestring, WY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Saddlestring, WY is Grouse Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 403 with a 4.8-star rating from 30 reviews.

    Where can I find free dispersed camping near Saddlestring, WY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Saddlestring, WY.

    What parks are near Saddlestring, WY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Saddlestring, WY that allow camping, notably Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area and Bighorn National Forest.