Best Tent Camping near Shell, WY
The Bighorn National Forest surrounding Shell, Wyoming offers several tent camping options with varying levels of amenities and accessibility. Shell Reservoir Camping Area provides both drive-in and walk-in tent sites with drinking water and toilet facilities, making it popular for primitive tent camping. Campers seeking more solitude can explore the Big Horn NRC Dispersed camping area, which offers free tent sites with minimal facilities but excellent water views. Ten Sleep Brewing Company, located about 30 miles southwest of Shell, provides an unconventional option with walk-in tent sites on their property.
Access to tent campsites varies significantly throughout the region. Shell Reservoir Camping Area requires high-clearance 4x4 vehicles according to visitor reports, with rough roads leading to the campsites. Most primitive tent sites in the area are available from June through September, as higher elevations experience snow until late spring. Tent campers should prepare for basic conditions at most sites, with vault toilets available at established campgrounds but limited other amenities. Fire rings are common at designated sites, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply during dry periods. Water availability is inconsistent, with Shell Reservoir offering drinking water while dispersed sites require campers to bring their own supplies.
Tent campers at Shell Reservoir frequently mention the exceptional views and quiet atmosphere. One visitor noted staying "right across from the lake on a hill in the pines" with "amazing views" of the surrounding landscape. The area provides good fishing opportunities, with brook trout available in both the reservoir and nearby creeks. For backcountry tent camping enthusiasts, the 4x4 trail between Shell Reservoir and Lake Adelaide offers access to more remote sites. Those seeking a unique tent camping experience might consider Ten Sleep Brewing Company, where a camper reported that despite occasional noise from events, the "view of stars to sleep to and amazing red rock cliff to wake up to" made for a memorable experience. Current tent site fees at Ten Sleep Brewing were reported at $18 per night as of 2021.
