Looking for the best Shell dispersed camping? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. From secluded to easily reachable, we offer dispersed campsites near Shell just for you.
Camping outside of developed campgrounds is permitted throughout much of the Forest. You are allowed to drive up to 300 feet off of an open road to set up camp, providing it will not result in damage to the land, is in an area that is not signed otherwise, or if restrictions are in place prohibiting that use.
Camping outside of developed campgrounds is permitted throughout much of the Forest. You are allowed to drive up to 300 feet off of an open road to set up camp, providing it will not result in damage to the land, is in an area that is not signed otherwise, or if restrictions are in place prohibiting that use.
Unless otherwise posted, most BLM Wyoming- administered public lands provide excellent opportunities for dispersed camping.
Traveler
Totally agree with person who said this is in top 5 sites. Awesome views, level ground, easy access, lots of room for many. However, it's county road 402 not 403!
GuideThe breathtaking Bighorn Mountains at 9000 ft elevation, good for rigs of all sizes but be advised you may want to scout the road the further you get into the camping area as it can be a bit rough (with water crossing at one point).
We overview the camping options as well as the amenities available in the area in our video review!
Useful Information: Location: Canyon Creek Dispersed, Ten Sleep, Wyoming
GPS Coordinates(Canyon Creek Dispersed): 44.160758,-107.128481
Maximum Stay: 14 Days
Dump/Water(Cenex): https://maps.app.goo.gl/b44MFQ4ne9h3DpE2A
Leigh Creek Dump/Water: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SfJmMrKekzLyTKFNA
Guide
We enjoyed our stay here, many spots to pick from, but a few things to be advised about.
1. When we arrived it looked like a lot of the locals"dropped" their campers there for storage to avoid paying storage fees. However, while we were there the National Forest staff came in several times and started tagging these RVs and most of them were removed within a week or so.
2. This place is a haven for SxS and ATV traffic on the weekend so it can get loud and very dusty
3. Hundreds of free-range cattle, so if you are not comfortable with them walking in and through your campsite you may want to pick another location.
4. There is only one place in all the area that has cell coverage and turns out we camped on that hill without knowing it so we had traffic all day with people parking in and around our campers to use their phones.
We did a video review of this spot if you are interested here is the link https://youtu.be/gpm9THujEow
We enjoyed our stay even with those items we listed above, would stay here again for sure. Thank you to the National Forest Staff for patrolling this area!!!
Guide
Tons and tons of spaces. No Verizon service. The sites are pretty spaced out and some of them are actually really nicely tucked in the pine trees.
GuideSo amazing. Peaceful and quiet, even with some other campers here. The cell phone service with Verizon is perfect and the view is to die for. You can also hear the cows across the road, which I love. The road in is so easy, no rigs should have any issues.
GuideThis is a great spot. Wide open area for camping so you’re not right on top of anyone. The views were amazing. Pretty windy as others stated, but was nice during the hot days. Nights were a tad chilly. Downside is there’s absolutely no shade and horseflies are in plenty. Thankfully I have a screen tent that provided some shade and relief from the flies. Overall a great spot, not too far from town. Better if you have a camper over a tent.
Guide
Amazing views
RangerBeautiful views. Be prepared for tall grass and horse flies. We parked at the end by the private fence and by morning several hikers with dogs came and parked right next to our site. Good Verizon service.
LegendSpectacular views and wildlife. Easy to find a level spot. Wild horses.
TravelerBy far one of the most beautiful places I’ve camped. The field is in bloom right now (June 15) with purple and yellow flowers. We’re definitely up in elevation and can see lush forests and the snow-capped mountains in the distance. Super lush green field to camp in. Super easy to get to from main road. No road traffic sounds. Chilly at night.
Traveler
Rough narrow roads and sites are small and right next to the road; only 1 site is riverside.
ScoutCamping space is very limited not many spots what makes it more difficult is that at? The very end is a hiking trail, so there are lots of hikers driving in and out. The pull offs for camping and parking a rig are just very minimal and with the traffic from people going back-and-forth from the hiking trails, it's very dusty. Drove in did not find a site we would fit in hag to drive all the way to end of road for a turn around. Left and went to Walmart in Sheridan.
ScoutGreat location where you can camp in the trees or on the meadow. Vault toilet available once you drive a ways in on Elgin Park Road. Plenty of deadfall to use as firewood. Suitable for both tent and RV camping.
LegendCull Watt Park Road took us to this cool open field with awesome rolling hills and Grouse Mountain in view. We could park anywhere we liked in the big field. The road wasn't too bumpy, and being up at 7000 ft made it nice and chill even in summer. They're open from June 15 to Nov 15, so it's perfect for a getaway.
Big shoutout to Clear Creek for fly fishing fun- it's just a short 3/4 mile hike to the river, which was a blast.
Full bars of cell signal on Verizon, so no worries about being off the grid. Only thing missing were fire rings, but honestly, the quiet vibes totally made up for it. If you're into peaceful and scenic, this is your spot 🏞️🎣🚐
GuideSimple campsite with beautiful view of the canyon. Nice river. A long way to get to the pit toilet.
Traveler
We ventured out here in our 26’ bumper pull camper for the night of 6/19. Several trailers and campers looked like they had been posted up there for a while.
Pros:
-Lots of pull off spots accessible for car camping and very small campers
-Beautiful wildflowers at this time of year-remote and peaceful!
-main dirt was mostly manageable with our camper, some potholes and mud though
Cons:-
very rainy, hence lots of mud, when we went
-most of the campsites seemed to be washed out right now and unaccessible with our camper
-no accessible turnarounds with the camper until Circle Pond Campground at the end of the road
-bugs were really bad
-no Verizon cell signal
-single lane dirt road just had a couple sporadic pull offs to allow for passing vehicles from other direction
GuidePretty busy area, but lots of room and camp sites. Easy in and out and close to town.
ScoutStayed down this road in an open meadow for a few days. Weekend was busy with traffic down the dirt road but weekdays we had it all to ourselves. 2 people had parked their trailers there and never showed up, so I don't know what that was about. 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. Saw plenty of big rigs, but this is a dirt road and is suited to smaller trialers. Site was not very level, so be prepared for that.
GuideThere are many spots along Circle Park Rd. You can be in the woods or out in the open like I was so I could get solar and starlink. Lots have stone fire rings. Verizon coverage is decent along the road, but I turned off on FR 375 and the Verizon died where I was 44.283926, -106.962595 . I spent time looking for moose, but never saw one until one triggered my security camera. I guess I needed to just get up early and sit on my porch. I found water and a dump site in Buffalo at the Cenex gas station. It was free. Be aware that folks will bring their dirt bikes and ATVs. A local pulled up 100 feet from me over a weekend, ran his generator until 11 and blasted country music, and his kids ran dirty bikes all Friday and Saturday in a circle next to my camp. There's plenty of other forest roads near here if that thing concerns you.
GuideBeautiful views of the mountains, dense forest trails, and plenty of room for any size rig. Cell service is fair in certain area and non-existent in others. Overall, great spot to camp!
TravelerGreat free camping. Lots of space from your neighbors. Closest bathroom out be going farther down the road to the campground. 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.
TravelerThere are many dispersed camping sites along Circle Park Rd and the roads the branch off of it, including some well passed this location. The road on the left at the first intersection gets a rough after a bit, but otherwise the sites are accessible for RVs and trailers.
The road goes through a large open meadow. This gives the sites excellent views of the bighorn range. There were also two moose grazing in the meadow for the entire time we were there.
We were there on a weekday and the area was very quite with only a few other campers present. However, many sites were taken up by unoccupied trailers.
There are several good hiking opportunities in the area, including the trailhead at the end of this road.
RangerHad a great one-night stay while passing through Bighorn National Forest. Cold, but the mountains were beautiful and the surrounding area was largely untouched with tons of forest to explore. Would absolutely stay again if passing through.
GuideAt first it looks like a very busy camping area, but if you drive for a bit you can find yourself a nice little private out of the way camping spot to set up tent.
TravelerWe spent 14 days out here in our 19ft retro Jayco. Plenty of room for a couple of 5th wheels, vans, and tents alike. There is a pretty awesome view of the mountains, lots of trails and rocks to climb and hike around and we spotted/heard different kinds of wildlife all around us.
Guide
Great area with trees and wildlife. Spots for campfires, and plenty of space. You can get multiple groups of people in here. No bathroom so you'll be going in the woods unless you drive to a picnic area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Shell, WY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Shell, WY is Schuler Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Shell, WY?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 dispersed camping locations near Shell, WY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
