Best Campgrounds near Shell, WY

Shell, Wyoming offers diverse camping options within the Bighorn National Forest and surrounding areas. The Shell Campground, located within the town, provides tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurt accommodations with amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and showers. Just outside town, Shell Creek Campground offers a more rustic experience with tent and RV sites situated along a creek in a forested setting. Several campgrounds in the area feature picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, while some of the more developed sites like Greybull KOA provide additional amenities such as laundry facilities, WiFi, and swimming pools.

Road conditions and access vary seasonally throughout the region, with most forest campgrounds open from May through September due to mountain weather patterns. "We stayed here on the way back from Yellowstone. The creek is mesmerizing and loved falling asleep next to it," shared one camper about Shell Creek Campground. Higher elevation sites like Bald Mountain Campground typically open later in June and close by early September. The area experiences wide temperature fluctuations, with summer days reaching 75°F while nights can drop to the 50s even in August. Campers should be prepared for potential wildlife encounters including deer, elk, moose, and occasionally bears, particularly at sites like Owen Creek Campground where visitors reported moose sightings.

The Bighorn Mountains provide scenic backdrops for camping experiences with opportunities for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Shell Creek Campground consistently receives positive reviews for its creek-side settings and peaceful atmosphere. As one visitor noted, "The beauty of Bighorn mountains really took us by surprise! So beautiful!" For those seeking more primitive experiences, dispersed camping options exist throughout the national forest lands, particularly along Forest Road 231 where campers can find spacious meadow sites. Many campgrounds in the region are relatively small, creating an intimate camping experience. The Shell Reservoir Camping Area offers lake views and fishing opportunities but requires high-clearance 4x4 vehicles to access, according to visitor reports.

Best Camping Sites Near Shell, Wyoming (99)

    1. Shell Campground

    3 Reviews
    Shell, WY
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 765-9924

    $44 - $110 / night

    2. Shell Creek

    6 Reviews
    Shell, WY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 587-9054

    $19 / night

    "Amazing creek behind the majority of the sites. Nice tent only walk in sites. Sites 1 & 2 share a parking area. Large turn around area for staging/unloading car/ATV haulers."

    "We stayed right near the stream, which was beautiful. There were free range cattle around the area which made it interesting wondering if it was a bear or not from a far distance!"

    3. Greybull KOA

    6 Reviews
    Greybull, WY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 765-2555

    "Access to 2 mile bike/walking on the levee behind."

    "There is a paved walk just steps out of the campground where we took a walk and watched deer. We only stayed one night but wish that all our campgrounds could be like this one."

    4. Bighorn National Forest Tie Flume Campground

    15 Reviews
    Wolf, WY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 587-9054

    $21 / night

    "Make sure you get a spot near the bubbling mountain stream...sites 23 and 24 were right on the waters edge. The camp host and family were awesome. Great hosts."

    "Tie Flume Campground is located in the Bighorn National Forest, with scenery and wildlife all around you. You can't beat that! There are also so many activities to do here."

    5. Owen Creek

    5 Reviews
    Wolf, WY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 587-9054

    $18 / night

    "Another camper walked by and said it’s his favorite place to camp. Walk right out into the Bighorns and you’ll find diversity. There are different forests on each side."

    "Tons of spots in the trees next to a big meadow. Pretty easy to get to, though I had to be careful in my small car. Free and would recommend."

    6. Bighorn National Forest

    8 Reviews
    Wolf, WY
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    "We dispersed camped north of MeadowLark Lake along FS Road 427 I believe! It was beautiful, and so peaceful. We did get stormed on but our tent held out really well!"

    "With gale force winds blowing the shutters off...and a steep walk to the vault toilet...we bailed early. However, the Bighorns are AMAZING! Saw my 1st moose!"

    7. Dead Swede

    5 Reviews
    Wolf, WY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 587-9054

    $21 / night

    "Beautiful, quiet campground situated near a stream with willows. We saw moose nearby and a deer near our campsite. No electricity . Get away from it all here."

    "Absolutely beautiful location in the rocks and pines of the mountains. Jan the CG host gave us a heads up to help extend our stay to two weeks."

    8. Bald Mountain Campground

    5 Reviews
    Shell, WY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 587-9054

    $19 / night

    "This is a cute little campground just across the highway from the medicine wheel. no streams in or near the campground but there are waterfalls within about 20 miles. great views, clean toilet facilities"

    "Our interest in this campground was built by the closeness to Medicine Wheel National Monument. It is a sacred place that is worth the time to see."

    9. Greybull KOA Holiday

    1 Review
    Greybull, WY
    14 miles
    Website

    "Near the base of the Big Horns Mountains, this KOA can make a great stop in between Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore. This is a seasonal campground, opening on the 1st of May."

    10. Medicine Lodge Archaelogical Site Campground

    6 Reviews
    Hyattville, WY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 469-2234

    $11 - $20 / night

    "The Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site is maintained by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. I normally avoid campgrounds and prefer dispersed camping or backpacking, but I gladly camp here."

    "There was a deep hole next to the canyon face. In the afternoon the 60' canyon wall reflected the water. At night the fire flickered and projected our shadows across the whole face."

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Recent Reviews near Shell, WY

375 Reviews of 99 Shell Campgrounds


  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Castle Gardens

    Castle Gardens

    Four campsites with shade structures, tables, grills, fire rings, and a vault toilet. Pack in, pack out. Good cell service. Beautiful views and rock formations. We were the only campers on a Friday in mid-October.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Lovell Camper Park

    Lovell Camper Park

    After a full day of driving, we pulled up yesterday evening just as it was getting dark and the camp area was blocked off and closed--no notices on the city's website... so I'll leave a review here as a heads up to others traveling through anytime soon. Drove to the police station and asked if it'd be okay to park alongside the park on the street or in another section there and were given directions to a couple truck stops nearby.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Grouse Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 403

    Simple

    Nice open spot, easy access, short gravel road, level, turn around at the end. Just choose a spot on the side in the grass and camp w/ some good views. Really good AT&T service too.

    Lacks privacy since you’re just on an open field and the main road is right next to you but it’s not too busy so it’s not like you’re crowded together. Good for an overnight stop.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Grouse Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 403

    Easy boondocking with plenty of space

    This is about as easy and convenient as dispersed camping gets. Plenty of room for big rigs, but also good for tents. It’s a dirt road off a paved highway (which is convenient to the route to Yellowstone). Just pull off the dirt road into the field to camp. There’s a gate before the road turns south, but right before the gate it’s a cleared space to turn around if you don’t want to turn around in the field. The only con is that there’s a significant amount of cow pies.

  • aThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Bighorn National Forest Sibley Lake Campground

    A good one night stay

    A pretty good campground, clean with clean Porta potty toilets, water at the campground, but not at campsites, electric and non-electric the drive to get here though is amazing

  • S
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Highway 16 Dispersed Site

    Roadtrip Stop

    Decent drive off I90 but worth it. Great views and a good place to stop if you’re on a roadtrip. The last bit of road is bumpy and the parking area is fairly exposed but a great spot nonetheless.

  • Jennifer K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Horseshoe Bend Campground — Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

    Beautiful area but people are loud

    This campground has really gorgeous scenery. The picnic tables, fire pits and sun/wind shades are all newer and well kept. 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 and there's really no trees around. You would have to use a bear safe container or the sun/wind shades to hang your food if your in a tent but not all sites have them. A lot of sites have water and electric in loops A and B. There is a water fill and dump station on the road before the turn off of the campground. The potable water has a nozzle on it and you can not hook a hose to it. However the sites with water have a normal garden hose spigot. My only complaint would be the people are inconsiderate and quite loud all day and there's not many people here. It's not even half full but some are clearly quite drunk most of the day. There's a family that pulled in and set up right around 10 pm right next to us. Banging and screaming about for over an hour. Our neighbors just let their dog run loose. Ive found discarded fish carcasses that someone had filleted and just tossed behind a bush. Also a lot of trash all over the place. The first site in loop A is marked as the host...I've never seen them so clearly they dont care. So as long as you dont want peace and quiet then this place is fine. I cant imagine what it's like when it's mostly full on the weekend. We really wanted to see the canyon though so we opted to stay here for the night on the way to Custer national forest.

  • Brent P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Grouse Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 403

    Great spot

    Pretty nice spot right off 16, quite a few nice flat spots with plenty of room for trailer or rv. Had some neighbors but is plenty spread out. Also had some horses come visit.


Guide to Shell

Dispersed camping near Shell, Wyoming offers numerous options within Bighorn National Forest, particularly along Forest Road 231 where spacious meadow sites provide primitive camping experiences. Shell sits at approximately 4,200 feet elevation at the base of the Bighorn Mountains, with the surrounding camping areas ranging from 4,200 to over 8,400 feet. Temperature variations can be extreme during camping season, with summer highs often reaching mid-70s while nighttime temperatures frequently drop below 50°F even in peak summer months.

What to do

Fishing nearby creeks: Shell Creek Campground provides excellent fishing access with sites situated along a mountain stream. "Great NFS campground. Nice travel sites, pretty level. Amazing creek behind the majority of the sites. Nice tent only walk in sites," notes Doug I. about Shell Creek Campground.

Explore historical sites: Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site contains several hundred American Indian petroglyphs and pictographs dating back 2,000 years. "The petroglyphs were in remarkable shape and worth the long drive out to the campground. There are clean vault toilets in sight from every site," shares Preston Y. about Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site.

Hiking in Bighorn National Forest: Multiple trails provide options for all skill levels throughout the forest. "Bighorn National Forest is one of my all time favorites to visit in the country. There is also great history in the area like a tornado that ripped through the area. Find the plaque that explains more about that wild phenomenon when heading towards Cody," writes Davidson L. H.

What campers like

Creek-side camping: Many sites along Shell Creek offer the sound of flowing water to enhance sleep. "We liked this place so much, that we have reservations to stay there again, but for two nights, not just one. We stayed right near the stream, which was beautiful," writes Andrea about Shell Creek Campground.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Tie Flume Campground offers frequent wildlife sightings in a forest setting. "Sites are very spaced out, so it is very private and quiet. Lots of wildlife and pine forest," mentions Hannah T. Another camper, Todd S., states, "This place is amazing. Make sure you get a spot near the bubbling mountain stream...sites 23 and 24 were right on the waters edge."

Amenities at developed campgrounds: For those wanting more facilities, Greybull KOA provides numerous comforts. "Nice little campground, tucked just outside of town. Minutes from stores and restaurants. This KOA had a pool, play ground, laundry room, rec room plus many more," reports Taylor B. about Greybull KOA.

What you should know

High elevation camping considerations: Bald Mountain Campground sits at 9,100 feet, creating cooler conditions. "This campground has several loops that nicely disperse campers. The sites have some great tree cover. We loved the layout of some sites. The camper pad was separated from the picnic tables by some trees too," shares Art S.

Wildlife safety protocols: Bears and moose frequent the area, requiring proper food storage. "We did see a mother and baby black bear about 10 miles down the road. Beautiful dear in the area. Chipmunks and birds too. Host said there are moose and coyotes in the area," notes Jennifer K.

Water availability varies: Many forest campgrounds have limited water facilities. "The water spigots don't have threads either and not meant to fill RV tanks," explains a camper at Shell Creek Campground. "In season there is potable water, trash service, out of season NO water, NO trash. Pack it in Pack it out," advises another camper about Bald Mountain Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Campgrounds with amenities: Dead Swede Campground provides facilities while maintaining a wilderness feel. "Beautiful space set among the tall pines. Area is well kept and hiking galore," writes N I. Another camper notes, "Streamside seclusion. We loved this campsite. Right by the stream, very secluded, level ground for our tents."

Swimming options: Several locations provide safe water play for children during hot summer days. "My 4 yo son loved the pool and the playground. My 12 daughter loved the WiFi and extra clean showers and bathrooms," shares Vena B. about her stay at Greybull KOA.

Educational opportunities: Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site offers historical learning experiences. "There is a 700 foot long sandstone bluff that contains several hundred American Indian petroglyphs and pictographs that date back 2000 years," explains one visitor.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for larger rigs: Owen Creek Campground accommodates RVs with accessible sites. "Right past Owen campground. Tons of spots in the trees next to a big meadow. Pretty easy to get to, though I had to be careful in my small car," notes Megan S.

Dump station locations: Plan waste management carefully as facilities are limited. "Nice green spot in the middle of nowhere! Be aware: There is NO dumping for RVs!" warns dudley W. about Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site. Another RVer mentions, "No dumpsters here but a few bear resistant trash cans for small amounts of trash."

Weather preparedness: Elevation changes cause significant temperature variations. "It's mid August and it's starting to cool down. About 75 during the day and low 50s at night," reports Jennifer K. Even summer camping requires warm clothing for evenings and mornings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Shell, WY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Shell, WY offers a wide range of camping options, with 99 campgrounds and RV parks near Shell, WY and 16 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Shell, WY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shell, WY is Shell Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

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