Camping options near Story, Wyoming sit at the eastern edge of the Bighorn Mountains at approximately 5,000 feet elevation. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows often below freezing. Several campgrounds offer year-round accessibility with winterized facilities, though higher elevation sites typically close from October through May.
What to do
Fishing access options: Clear Creek flows through Buffalo KOA, allowing campers direct fishing opportunities. "Nice and quiet campground with easy access to the creek," notes Daniel C. Many sites are positioned along the water for convenient access.
Mountain exploration: The Bighorn National Forest offers extensive recreation just minutes from Story. A visitor to Bighorn National Forest shared, "We dispersed camped north of MeadowLark Lake along FS Road 427. It was beautiful, and so peaceful. We did get stormed on but our tent held out really well!" The forest contains over 1,200 miles of trails.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer wildlife spotting opportunities. At Island Park Campground, one camper reported, "Pulled into spot and two moose were browsing on the stream bank in front of us. Campground was well spaced out and host very friendly. Great views and walking paths along stream with meadow on opposite side."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the Story area maintain high standards of cleanliness. A guest at Sheridan/Big Horn Mountains KOA mentioned, "The bath/shower houses here were some of the best designed of any campground I've visited - they were very modern and clean. There were at least 4 toilet stalls and 4 shower stalls, all housed in the same building."
Year-round access: Some local campgrounds remain open through winter. A visitor to Buffalo KOA noted, "Needed a quick, last-minute spot in December and this KOA was perfect. Great communication (can just stop by w/o a reservation) and easy access."
On-site food options: Several campgrounds feature food service. A guest at Lazy R Campground shared, "Hard to beat rolling out of your tent, walking 100 feet and getting reasonably priced gourmet coffee and fresh baked pastries for breakfast. I will definitely stay here again."
What you should know
Camping with pets: Most campgrounds welcome pets with specific guidelines. A visitor to Sheridan/Big Horn Mountains KOA stated, "It's very nice here. Its always been quiet and clean. Showers are clean and water is hot. There is a pool and nice playground for the kids. Pet friendly."
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience highway noise. A camper at Deer Park RV Park and Campground reported, "You can hear I-90 from the CG, but it's far enough away that the noise isn't bothersome."
Bear awareness: Wildlife safety measures are important. A Bighorn National Forest camper advised, "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
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer pools for family recreation. A visitor to Sheridan/Big Horn Mountains KOA mentioned, "There is a basketball court, horseshoe pits, mini golf, swimming pool, and some fun looking tricycles!"
Playground access: Family-friendly amenities are available at multiple sites. A camper at Buffalo KOA stated, "Very clean campsites and facilities! Friendly family staff! Easy access to the creek! Also has a cute store!"
Cabin accommodations: For families seeking glamping in Story, Wyoming, Shell Campground offers alternative lodging. A visitor noted, "We just arrived here and have fallen in love with this place. Cozy, super clean, especially the bathrooms! And it's not just for RVs. There are cabins and yurts."
Tips from RVers
Level sites: RVers appreciate well-maintained pads. A camper at Deer Park RV Park noted, "Our RV GPS took us right to the campground about 1.5 miles east of I 90. Utilities are smartly placed in the middle of most sites. Water pressure is very good."
Utility placement: Hookup location impacts RV positioning. At Buffalo KOA, a visitor observed, "The site included a picnic table, and the utilities were centered on the pad. We were able to position ourselves well between the two black tank dump outlets."
Satellite reception: Tree coverage affects connectivity. A Deer Park RV Park guest mentioned, "There are a lot of mature trees here so satellite could be iffy. Our site and 106 should not have a problem connecting to satellite."
