Shell, Wyoming sits at the base of the Bighorn Mountains where elevations rapidly rise from 4,200 feet in town to over 8,000 feet in the surrounding forest. Summer temperatures in this region range from mid-70s during August days to low 50s at night. Camping options near Shell include established campgrounds with varying amenities and dispersed sites throughout the national forest.
What to do
Hiking the Medicine Wheel: Visit this sacred Native American site near Bald Mountain Campground. "The camper pad was separated from the picnic tables by some trees too. Water is available at a couple hand pumps that are out in the open. Clean restrooms and trash cans are here too," notes Art S., who adds, "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."
Explore mountain trails: The Tie Flume Campground offers access to numerous hiking paths. One camper shared, "I hiked Lily Lake Trail which is part of the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Really enjoyed this hike, great scenery and awesome views during the hike and at the top." Sites provide an excellent base for day trips with "picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern hooks" according to Leslie B.
Fish local streams: Anglers find success in the creeks throughout the area. A visitor at Dead Swede Campground reported, "Trout fishing on site with moose coming to the river daily to water." Another camper described it as a "Beautiful place for fishing. Nice central location in the mountain between big lakes."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Many campers spot moose and deer regularly at Dead Swede Campground. "Resident doe gave the RV a bump in the night then learned we were there. She walked through twice a day," reports Mary. Another camper mentions, "We saw moose nearby and a deer near our campsite."
Creek access: Campsites alongside running water are highly valued. At Porcupine Campground, visitors appreciate the "great stream and rocky banks to explore" according to Amber A., who adds that it has "big spread out sites." Another camper mentioned it's "a nice campground with a good creek to play in" where "kids can play and fish in it" by midsummer.
Quiet surroundings: Many campgrounds offer peaceful settings away from crowds. A visitor at Owen Creek Campground described seeing "a moose drinking from the creek right across from our spot! Saw a momma and baby moose not long after, and plenty of deer as well. Beautiful forest behind our spot and beautiful wildflowers in front."
What you should know
Elevation affects temperatures: At higher elevations like Tie Flume Campground, weather can be unpredictable. A camper at Bald Mountain noted, "It was windy and even for late July it was 45° at night." Pack warm clothes even for summer camping.
Limited services: Most forest campgrounds have basic amenities only. At Bighorn National Forest dispersed sites, be prepared for primitive conditions. As one camper warns, "No facilities, stores or cell service. You must be prepared and self sufficient."
Seasonal operations: Most mountain campgrounds close by early October. A reviewer at Dead Swede Campground noted it operates from "June - Oct" with a "14-day limit" and "$18.00 per night" fee with an additional "$9.00 per additional vehicle" charge.
Bear awareness: While not as prevalent as in other areas, bears do inhabit the region. A visitor to Bighorn National Forest cautioned, "There are bears out in this forest, recommend putting all food in your hard sided truck, Car, or camper! A human fed bear is a dead bear!"
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with play areas: For pet friendly camping near Shell with children, some locations offer better amenities than others. At Shell Campground, a visitor noted, "The campsite is best without kiddos because there is no playground or anything for them to do outside here." Consider alternatives like Greybull KOA which offers "a pool, play ground, laundry room, rec room plus many more" according to Taylor B.
Select creek-side sites: Children enjoy water features. At Porcupine Campground, "there is a creek that runs through camp and is low enough by midsummer to allow kids to play and fish in it." Bathrooms there are "very clean, which is typical for Wyoming campgrounds."
Plan for weather changes: Mountain elevations mean variable conditions. A visitor advised, "Take tent heater for the tower unless going in middle of summer" when staying at fire lookout accommodations in the Bighorns.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups available: Most national forest campgrounds near Shell lack RV amenities. For full services, consider Shell Campground where "We did a single overnight here with the RV" or Greybull KOA which offers "full hook-ups (pull-thru, back-in sites) water-electric sites, long-term sites."
Site leveling considerations: Many forest roads and campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Tie Flume Campground, Kathi V. advises, "Be aware that you will have to arrive with water in your tank if you are in an RV. The hand pumps at the campground do not allow you to attach a hose." She adds that "The Burgess Junction dump station is great and you can fill water tanks there on your way in and dump on your way out."
Free dispersed options: For self-contained RVs, Bighorn National Forest offers numerous no-cost alternatives. "Driving through Bighorn National Forest we found TONS of free dispersed camping off route 20. Sites are primitive… No running water, no electric, no restrooms. Sites consist of previously used dispersed site containing clearing and fire pits. There are camping spots for tents and RVs from large to small," reports meghan G.
