The camping landscape around Sheridan, Wyoming includes a mix of developed campgrounds, RV parks, and cabin accommodations within easy reach of the Bighorn Mountains. Established facilities like Sheridan/Big Horn Mountains KOA and Peter Ds RV Park provide full hookups and amenities for RV travelers, while sites such as Connor Battlefield State Historic Site offer more rustic experiences along the Tongue River. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several locations including Lazy R Campground and Sheridan/Big Horn Mountains KOA also offering cabin rentals for those seeking more comfortable accommodations without sacrificing the outdoor experience.
Camping season generally runs from April through October, with most facilities closing during winter months due to harsh Wyoming conditions. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when occupancy rates peak. One visitor noted, "We stayed here for 3 nights on our trip from Texas. Quiet, pet and kid friendly, and the staff was great! Clean grounds that they are constantly working on." Road access to most developed sites remains good throughout the camping season, though travelers should be aware that some areas in the nearby Bighorn National Forest may require high-clearance vehicles. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage near Sheridan proper and diminishing signal strength in more remote camping areas.
Campers report high satisfaction with sites that offer water features, particularly those along the Tongue River and Big Goose Creek. The proximity to downtown Sheridan provides convenient access to supplies while still offering natural surroundings. A recent review mentioned, "The campground sits along the Big Goose Creek, where campers can fish (mostly for carp)." Several campgrounds feature shaded sites with mature trees, providing relief during summer heat. Noise levels vary significantly between locations, with some campers noting highway and train noise at sites closer to transportation corridors. Wildlife sightings, including moose in the higher elevation campgrounds of the Bighorn Mountains, add to the camping experience. Travelers seeking more solitude often prefer the forest service campgrounds located farther from town, where developed sites still offer basic amenities like vault toilets and fire rings.
"Campground Review: The Sheridan/Big Horn Mountains KOA in Sheridan, Wyoming, is a clean, well-kept establishment."
"That being said, bring your ear plugs, you are near the interstate. I stayed here for 3 nights while attending the American Legion State Baseball Tournament."
"The proximity to downtown Sheridan and their 3 breweries was nice. Extremely clean and very nice spot."
"We enjoyed Sheridan. The laundry and bathrooms were clean. The campground was clean. A fenced in area for dogs to run and play was fun. We would go back."
$11 - $20 / night
"This is basically a city park, but away from the highway. Vault toilets, and the one near my campsite was reasonably clean. Lots of available sites, even on a Friday in mid-July."
"This is a Wyoming state historical site commemorating the 1865 Battle of Tongue River between General Connor and Chief Black Bear of the Arapaho Village."
$50 / night
"It is close to the interstate 90 Slight Rd. noise, but not enough to bother anything."
"It is located about 50 yards off of I-90 and traffic noise is pretty significant during the day but infrequent during late night. "
"Close to Montana, Big Horn National park, Sheridan, etc. great location! But the staff was just above and beyond- so friendly, so helpful, and we’d stay here again!"
"Right off the highway leading into the mountains. Has a great coffee shop and bakery on the property. The owners are fantastic people as well."
"Most important is the miles of fishing within walking distance."
"Rolled in around 7 and was able to snag a riverside spot. Bear boxes and picnic table at my site. Beautiful, quiet, and not too far off the beaten path."
$40 - $140 / night
"The campground is located right on the Tongue River and is a convenient walk to everything in the town of Dayton. I highly recommend this as a place to stay."
"Their cabins look a little run down, but if you need a cheap, quiet, close to the interstate place to stay with your camper, this is a nice stop. Perfect cell service as well."
"If it hadn’t been for the annual Bighorn Trail race that was happening that weekend we probably wouldn’t have had as many neighbors as we did."
"Great trails nearby, a little river to sit by in the morning/evening. We set up chairs on a small bridge and watched someone fish at sunset."
"This campground is an amazing off grid location for those looking to escape for a little while."
GuideSpent 4 months at North Tongue as host. Best Campground on the north side of the mountain, imo. All the Campground in the Big Horn forest are excellent, well maintained with access to so many scenic routes for 4 wheeling or hiking. Love the Big Horns!! Especially fond of North Tongue Campground at Burgess Junction.
GuideHalf a dozen sites along cow creek. There are two outhouse but no other services. Several but not all sites have picnic tables.
GuideStayed overnight. I was the only person here in February. Very quiet and serene. I imagine it fills up fast in peak season
TravelerThe lake was so pretty and the campsites were nice. Only about half full.
GuideWe pulled in late and left early but everything seemed well maintained and the sunrise over the lake was a nice way to wake up.
GuideNice 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.
RangerLoved this spot. Easy on/off road to get to it. It’s a cow pasture but they don’t bother you. Breathtaking views a must see.
TravelerThis 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.
ScoutA 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
Campsites near Sheridan, Wyoming range from riverside tent spots to higher-elevation forest settings at over 8,000 feet in the Bighorn Mountains. The area experiences substantial seasonal temperature variations, with summer highs often reaching the 80s while winter lows frequently drop well below freezing. Local campgrounds typically operate from April through October, with most forest service sites in higher elevations closing by mid-September due to snowfall potential.
Hiking opportunities: At Bighorn National Forest Tie Flume Campground, trails connect directly to the campground for convenient access. "I liked the tie Flume trail just a quarter mile down the road. Follow that road and go on a dirt road trip. Black Mountain fire tower is 10 miles down," shares one visitor who explored the northern Bighorns.
Fishing access: The Tongue River provides fishing opportunities at several campgrounds. At Tongue Canyon Campground, campers can easily access the water. One visitor describes the experience: "This was a beautiful spot not far off I90. We pulled in on a Friday in June after 5pm and found a spot."
Water recreation: Many campers enjoy creekside camping locations for summer swimming and splashing. "We chose one without a table to be right on the water," notes a visitor to Amsden Creek Wildlife Habitat Management Area, who preferred riverside proximity over campsite amenities.
Bakery and coffee access: Lazy R Campground offers a unique amenity with its on-site food options. "Hard to beat rolling out of your tent, walking 100 feet and getting reasonably priced gourmet coffee and fresh baked pastries for breakfast," writes one tent camper who appreciated this convenience.
Wildlife viewing: Morning deer sightings are common at several campgrounds. One Connor Battlefield visitor reports: "Woke up to the white tail deer in the field in the morning. Osprey flying over the river in the evening."
Scenic mountain views: The backdrop of the Bighorn Mountains provides visual appeal at many campsites. A visitor to Jackalope Campground notes: "All the sites have a beautiful view of the Big horn mountains. Clean showers and nice laundry room."
Water supply varies: Not all campgrounds provide water hookups or easily accessible water sources. At Tie Flume Campground, a camper 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."
Limited cell service: Communication options decrease significantly in mountain locations. "There is NO cell service within 18 miles of the campground. Additionally, there is no grocery store or even stocked service station within miles as well," warns a Tie Flume visitor.
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate within a specific window. At Connor Battlefield State Historic Site, campers discovered restricted access to facilities late in the season: "Worst thing was that the bathrooms were closed though! Supposedly closed for season due to vandalism."
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer play equipment for children. At Sheridan/Big Horn Mountains KOA, a visitor observed: "They had a basketball court, horseshoe pits, mini golf, swimming pool, and some fun looking tricycles!"
Wildlife education: Multiple campgrounds provide opportunities for wildlife observation with kids. "Rabbits all over which was cute," notes a KOA visitor, highlighting smaller wildlife that often interests children.
Dog-friendly areas: Families traveling with pets will find accommodating spaces at Peter Ds RV Park. "Nice field out back to let dogs run. Also a dedicated dog park," reports one visitor who appreciated the separate pet areas.
Parts and repairs: Jackalope Campground offers unusual RV maintenance support. A visitor explains: "The best part though was the parts room that holds every part for your camper you could ever dream of. The staff is also well studied in tech work and helped us out with some issues we were having."
Site sizing considerations: Many campgrounds have tight spacing between sites. At Foothills Campground, a visitor with a large rig reported: "We have a 38 ft fifth wheel and there is plenty of space. Their cabins look a little run down, but if you need a cheap, quiet, close to the interstate place to stay with your camper, this is a nice stop."
Level site availability: Jackalope Campground receives positive reviews for level surfaces. "Facility Hosts are friendly and helpful. This is not really a campground but rather an RV parking area with all hookups available. There are plenty of spaces in a large graveled lot and wide level spots."
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in and around Sheridan, Wyoming?
Sheridan offers several quality camping options. Sheridan/Big Horn Mountains KOA is conveniently located close to town and highways, with spots for both RVs and tent campers. The campground is clean and well-maintained with Big Goose Creek running alongside it. Lazy R Campground is another excellent option with quiet, pet-friendly grounds and a bakery for breakfast. For those seeking public campgrounds, Connor Battlefield State Historic Site provides reasonably priced sites with vault toilets and playground facilities. Additional options in the broader area include Tongue River Campground, Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site, and various campgrounds in the nearby Bighorn National Forest like West Tensleep Lake, Tie Flume, and Boulder Park.
Are there RV parks with full hookups in Sheridan, Wyoming?
Yes, Sheridan has several RV parks with full hookups. Peter Ds RV Park is highly rated for its clean facilities, including laundry and bathrooms. It features a dedicated dog park and fenced area for pets to run, though sites can be tight. The park's proximity to downtown Sheridan and its three breweries makes it convenient for exploring the area. Foothills Campground near Dayton also offers water hookups. While not directly mentioned in reviews, several Sheridan area campgrounds provide electric and water connections with dump stations available. Most RV parks in the area are open seasonally, typically from April/May through September/October, with some offering extended stays.
Is free or dispersed camping available near Sheridan, Wyoming?
While free camping directly in Sheridan is limited, the surrounding Bighorn National Forest offers dispersed camping opportunities. Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site Campground is maintained by Wyoming Game and Fish Department and provides a more natural setting. West Tensleep Lake in the Bighorns offers more primitive camping experiences, though it's accessible via dirt/rock roads and requires some driving from Sheridan. Most free camping requires following dispersed camping rules: staying at least 100-200 feet from water sources, using existing fire rings, and practicing Leave No Trace principles. Remember that free sites typically lack amenities like running water or trash service, so come prepared and pack everything out.
What is the best season for tent camping in Sheridan, Wyoming?
The ideal tent camping season in Sheridan runs from late May through early September. Weather can be variable, with reports of temperatures dropping into the 40s even in May, making late June through August the most reliable period for comfortable overnight temperatures. Connor Battlefield State Historic Site offers grassy areas ideal for tent setups during the summer months. Fall camping can be beautiful but prepare for rapidly cooling temperatures, with snow possible as early as September. Tongue River Campground is popular during summer months but can get busy with hikers using nearby trails. Always pack layers regardless of season, as mountain weather can change quickly even during summer.
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