Best Dispersed Camping near Wapiti, WY
Looking for dispersed camping near Wapiti? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Wapiti, Wyoming (14)
1. Cody BLM Dispersed
17 Reviews•59 Photos•149 SavesCody, Wyoming- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Dispersed
2. Little Sunlight Camping Area
5 Reviews•43 Photos•210 SavesWapiti, WyomingThis dispersed camping area hosts five campsites with a canopy of pine and juniper surrounding the site. 16-day stay limit Water: Not available This site is not accessible to persons with mobility impairments No cell service Notes: Be prepared to store food properly. Picnic tables and bear boxes provided. However, water, Forest Service fire rings, and garbage pickup are not provided. Corrals and parking for horse trailers are available at the nearby trailhead.
- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Toilets
3. Beartooth Scenic Byway Camping
8 Reviews•26 Photos•640 SavesCooke City, Montana- Pets
- Fires
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
4. Hogan Reservoir BLM Campground
1 Review•4 Photos•20 SavesRalston, WyomingHogan Resevoir is a developed campground on BLM land, with only 5 pads, however there is a vault toilet and picnic tables.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
5. Pilot Creek Dispersed Camping
1 Review•3 Photos•37 SavesCooke City, MontanaThe Shoshone National Forest allows dispersed camping along a mile or so of the Beartooth Highway in the Pilot Creek area. There is one large area on the south side of US 212 about 9 miles east of Cooke City which has multiple undeveloped campsites as well as a vault toilet. There are a number of additional potential campsites on both sides of the road for a mile or so. While most of these sites have “user-built” fire rings, there are no other amenities.
Camping is free in the remote areas of the Shoshone and is a great way to get away from it all.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds. Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, tables, or drinking water. Follow these guidelines to ensure these areas can be enjoyed by future generations.
Campsites must be 200 feet from trails, lakes, or wet meadows and 100 feet from streams or creeks. There is a 16 consecutive day stay limit. Any new location must be at least 5 miles from the previous location. Group size may be limited. Check with the local ranger district office for specifics in the area you want to go. Grizzly bear food storage regulations must be followed in designated grizzly bear use areas. See our Bear Safety page for more information. Dispersed camping or campfires are not allowed in the area commonly known as the North Fork Canyon and includes the area 1/2 mile on either side of the centerline of U. S. Highway 14/16/20 between the national forest boundary and the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Within this special recreation corridor, all camping and campfires must be within developed recreation sites. Some areas on the Shoshone are closed and signed as such to dispersed camping due to grizzly bear activity or resource protection. Be alert to signage. Check with the local ranger district office in the area you want to be for any seasonal restrictions that may apply. Please use Leave No Trace ethics so those coming behind you will have the same pristine experience as you.
- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Toilets
- Alcohol
6. Lady of the Lake Trail on Lulu Pass
1 Review•5 Photos•141 SavesCooke City, Montana- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
7. Yellowstone Lake — Yellowstone National Park
1 Review•9 Photos•44 SavesJohn D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, Wyoming- Tents
9. Upper Ford 6B2 Backcountry Campsite — Yellowstone National Park
Be the first to review!•2 SavesMoran, WyomingBeyond the developed areas, Yellowstone offers a diverse, mountainous landscape that invites exploration by foot, pack stock, and boat. Hundreds of miles of trails facilitate travel throughout the park. Permits are required for all overnight stays.
When planning a backcountry trip, remember that many of Yellowstone’s trails are more than 7,000 feet above sea level. Most areas retain snow until late May or early June, and some (especially mountain passes) are snow-covered until late July. Also, many routes require fording rivers that can be 25 feet wide, 3 to 5 feet deep, extremely cold, and swiftly running during our late spring runoff.
Campsites Yellowstone maintains 293 designated backcountry campsites. Each designated campsite has a maximum limit for the number of people and stock allowed per night. The maximum stay per campsite varies from 1 to 3 nights per trip. Group size limits range from 4 to 12 people. With the exception of four campsites, we allow only one group at each campsite. If your group size exceeds the campsite limit, you’ll need to obtain a second permit and cook and sleep as separate groups. A food storage pole or box is provided at every campsite so that food and attractants may be secured from bears. You will need to provide your own rope (35 feet in length or greater) at sites with food poles. A list and map of campsites can be found in the Backcountry Trip Planner https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/backcountryhiking.htm and the online Backcountry Trails and Campsites map: https://www.nps.gov/maps/full.html?mapId=f926f448-9fe4-4600-b4c0-3f060737c87f
Backcountry permits are available no earlier than 3-days prior to the start of your trip. Do not send in applications earlier than 3-days before your trip. Permits are available from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm daily. Permits will not be issued after 4:00 pm.
- Reservable
- Tents
Recent Dispersed Reviews near Wapiti, WY
37 Reviews of 14 Wapiti Campgrounds
Laura M.
Legend
Cody BLM Dispersed
Antelope Hunting
We pulled off of highway 16 to just explore and found that this area has a lot of options for camping. It is a vast stretch of BLM land between Cody and Greybull. The road in is rocky dirt but easily doable in our 26’ class C. Any size rig should do fine here. The road splits many times and we just used satellite view to check where the roads lead and decided on one.
The area we stayed in is flat and quite large with a stone fire pit. It did get very windy but died down through the night. The view is amazing. It was quiet and overall a nice place to hike or bike around. Saw some prong horns on the way in too!
There was a group of hunters that came around to check things out in the evening, then returned the next morning and shot an antelope from the next ridge over, then took a very long time doing photoshoot with the carcass. Antelope hunting is big in Wyoming. Not sure when hunting season is but something to watch out for if you’re exploring out here. Other than that we were the only ones here.
No water or any other amenities so pack in and pack out. The area was mostly free from litter but there were some bullet casings around which is almost a given in BLM territory.
Good cell reception with ATT, Verizon and TMobile.
- Chad K.
Traveler
Beartooth Scenic Byway Camping
Best free camping anywhere!!
This was hands-down one of the best campsite areas I ever found. National forest so it was open and free to whoever. Several spots just off Beartooth highway from Joseph Highway west to the Montana boarder. Most turnoffs have places for three or four different groups to camp. Some with bear boxes and some without. Most are only a rocks throw from water. Crazy creek is a waterfall area across from crazy Creek Campground. Very worth the short hike. Yellowstone is only 10 or 15 miles to the west and the town of Cook City is there if you need any basic supplies.
Steve & Ashley G.Legend
Little Sunlight Camping Area
Incredible Mountain Valley
This site about 12 miles up sunset road along a very rough washboard dirt/gravel rod. The road was extremely dusty in the summer and almost forced us to turn back. The dispersed sites are very rough and not well maintained. However, the views are some of the best we have ever seen in Wyoming. The sunset in the valley seemed to go on forever and provided light up until 10 pm. You will need 4 wheel drive or high clearance to access the best sites next to the river. If you are willing to endure the drive and don’t mind rough dispersed camping, the beauty of the site more than makes up for it. No facilities here just a stone fire ring. The site is known for grizzly bears. So you need to be an experienced camper to enjoy this area or take precautions.
Jeanice H.
ScoutCody BLM Dispersed
Shoshone Nat Forrest
We bookdocked for 14 days in this beautiful spot along side a huge canyon! There was a stream at the bottom and 5 springs running out of the mountain across from our camping spot. We also saw lots of deer, a moose and watched locals drive 900 head of cattle down the road. Yes, they said there were 900!
- RRosstin W.Traveler
Lady of the Lake Trail on Lulu Pass
We fell in love with this place
We truly loved this place. It was so isolated and peaceful. The camp sites are scattered throughout the trails and are not close to each other. They are easy to spot and not to bad to get to.(if you use the right road on the way up) we were only planning to stay 1 night and ended up staying 3 nights. We couldn’t get enough. Also spotted lots of moose, they are everywhere up there.
Anna B.
GuideCody BLM Dispersed
Wide Open Spaces
(October 9th, 2023) This was the perfect place to stop on our way out of Yellowstone! It wasn’t clear if there were designated camping spots, but we parked at the end of an empty plateau like some other vans we could see in the distance. Stargazing was incredible, and the views during sunrise were amazing! It was windy on top of the hills, but fine for car camping.
- BBrianna V.Traveler
Cedar Mountain Dispersed - Closed to Camping
Fantastic view and plenty of space to camp
Had the large lot at the coordinates (marked with a fire pit) to ourselves, but there are two or three smaller camping spots along the way up that you can stop at. View was beautiful!! Takes about 30min to get to the site bc of the rocks on the road and is just wide enough for one vehicle but if you have decent clearance and four wheel drive you can make it. Also great signal bc you are close to the tower at the top, had 5G. Says no camping at the bottom bc that small area is a parking lot for the horse tours next door, but there are camping signs as you go up.
TexasRe D.TravelerCody BLM Dispersed
Amazing stay
Had an amazing night staying here on our way to Yellowstone. Easily accessible from the main road and lots of pull offs and turn arounds. We stayed in one of the first designated spots because we had a 20ft camper and there was only one other person we saw staying a couple hundred yards down the road. Great place to stop for the night or stay for a few days, close to town yet isolated in a beautiful desert.
- KKyle B.Traveler
Little Sunlight Camping Area
Amazing!!
We’ve stayed in multiple dispersed sites across four different states and this was my wife’s favorite. We did stay in one of the developed spots and there was only one other camper in a spot where we couldn’t see them. It is ten miles down a gravel road and if you’re going to Yellowstone the road does not go through, you’ll have to go back out the way you came. However we thought it was more than worth it for the views!
Lauren C.Guide
Pilot Creek Dispersed Camping
Worked in a pinch
We intended to stay on the other side of the road, (river side) but missed the turn. We stumbled on this trailhead/OHV site and ended up staying here for the night. There are multiple dispersed sites that back up to the Pilot Creek Trail. Plenty of spots in the grass for big rigs and trailers. We ended up near the horse coral/bathroom (vaulted toilet), not ideal but worked in a pinch. Lots of mosquitos. Some sites have bear boxes.
Jeremy H.GuideBeartooth Scenic Byway Camping
Perfect spot outside Yellowstone
We were driving into Yellowstone from Billings and wanted something that would give us early access to the park. This was perfect. A nice pull off with several options to park a van, tent, or small trailer or RV. We fell asleep to the sound of the river and were into the park within 20 minutes the next morning. We were able see moose and a bear because of the early access to Lamar Valley. Wish we could have seen the surrounding area in the daylight but we got in late and were out early. From what we saw we highly recommend it!! It is dispersed Forest Service camping so you will need to have all of your own supplies and be sure to leave no trace (including your poop)
Siegfried M.GuideBeartooth Scenic Byway Camping
Right on the River
What a Great Spot, Camping Right on the River Surrounded by gorgeous Mountains. Across is another Huge Spot for Camping And it’s Free
Chris N.GuideCody BLM Dispersed
Solitude Granted
Getting into the area was easy and there wasn't much there other than solitude over a vast long and wide grasslands valley and a humongous 360 degree sky view. Very little shelter from the wind, however if you set up against the small hills just right, you'll have just enough shelter when things a blowing. July 1 was dry and there were herds of deer and a small pack of coyotes wailing in the distance at night. Not too far from Cody, which has an endless rodeo in the summer, it was easy to stay here for free and be close to society too. I will stay here again in my future travels through the area.
Mary M.TravelerCedar Mountain Dispersed - Closed to Camping
Large open space
There is a large open space at Lat 44.509971 -Long 109.122568 We parked there along with six other vehicles. Plenty of room. The dirt road was too rough for us to go any farther even with our four wheel drive. Not worth the risk for us since we were only looking for a place to sleep. No services
Daisee Mae S.LegendCedar Mountain Dispersed - Closed to Camping
Amazing Hike
We stayed here for a couple of days. Took the road to the open spot to park like everyone else. It’s not hard to access but you don’t want to drive any further if you don’t have 4WD or an OHV.
There are tons of places to hike to or take and OHV to tent areas further up the mountain.
It is about a 5 mile hike up. We did this and got all the way to the top. People on their sides by sides, Bikes and horses praised us. I imagine not too many people do the entire hike in one day. It was invigorating!
Definitely worth the stop!
In town there is a dump station that you do NOT have to pay for so I suggest getting that done before you go any further west of there. All the dump stations from there to the west coast cost. Not even worth using your indoor bathroom.
There is also a place next door with horses if you’d like to take a paid horseback tour. We didn’t do this but considered it. I bet it would be just as beautiful.
Most definitely I would stay here again.
Scott D.ScoutCedar Mountain Dispersed - Closed to Camping
Questionable Location
Popular with locals as a trailhead for day hikes. Very rough access road. Camping area was marked with no camping signs. Stayed one night then moved on.
Rachel S.GuideLittle Sunlight Camping Area
Perfect in every way
Quiet, serene and absolutely beautiful. We were basically alone in the entire campground the week before Labor Day. Completely off the beaten path. The road in is actually quite easy and the area has many 4x4 trails to explore, although the campground should be easily accessible in 2wd. We camped back beyond the developed sites, so we just had a rock fire pit and no picnic table but it was easy to adapt. There is a vault toilet at the developed campground. Absolutely beautiful. -also, there is a ghost town you can reach via a short hike. -when we were here, many spots were “held” by hunters leaving their trailers in a spot, so the developed sites looked very full, but were basically uninhabited.
- AAdam S.Guide
Little Sunlight Camping Area
Best ever
Our favorite out of five spots on this trip. The views are incredible. If you stay in the main camp area there are great hiking trails through the canyon. Be aware that once you hit the main camp ground there are spot through the rest of the road. Very beautiful spots right along the river. You will not regret staying here
Tee C.LegendLittle Sunlight Camping Area
Nice camping by river
Really nice little spot with maybe 8 sites to choose from. Decent clean pit toilets. Popular among horseback riders. There were probably 4 other groups there. Picnic tables, fire rings with grates, nice little river. Easy road in. Can bring big rigs. And the surrounding landscape was amazingly beautiful. No cell service for Verizon.
Anthony R.Guide
Hogan Reservoir BLM Campground
Quiet and peaceful!
There’s only about 7 sites with the ability to stay for 14 days in a 28 day cycle. It’s a first come first serve basis. One vault toilet, rules board and a check in box.
I absolutely enjoyed my 4 day stay. It was still pretty early in the season so it wasn’t too crowded. Beautiful views with no heavy traffic.
Each camping site has a picnic table and a fire pit. Each site has wooden outlines of each spot; making it easy to park in your spot and setup camp.
ONLY WARNING! IT CAN GET VERY VERY WINDY UP HERE! I HAVE A PICKUP BOX CAMP BUT I SEEN A TENT TURN INSIDE OUT AND DISAPPEAR.
Payton M.TravelerCody BLM Dispersed
Quiet, beautiful
Dirt road driving in. Only one other camper on site (in view). We attempted to drive down the road to the bottom but stopped + turned around due to muddy terrain. We chose to stay on the top along the right road as you come in. Several clearings- perfect to park.
- JJamison W.Guide
Cody BLM Dispersed
Private
Took goldwing to yellow stone. On way back stopped and was great. One tuck drove around us at a considerate distance. Around 9:30pm. No big deal. Was one other van parked where we first came in.
- RRobert S.Traveler
Cody BLM Dispersed
Beautiful vista!
Big flat area up top, another down lower, and multiple spots as you drive down into the basin. It’s desolate, has no services, but these are excellent spots near the road, and are mostly accessible to sedans if the roads are dry.
Place was empty on a recent Tuesday eve.
- CindyScout
Cody BLM Dispersed
Beautiful vistas
Quiet and peaceful setting.
- PPatricia F.Traveler
Cody BLM Dispersed
Easy and nice view
Easy access and nice view. However, its not really clear where we can stop to camp, but we just found a grassy area and stopped there. Pack in and pack out as always,
- KKerstin S.Scout
Cody BLM Dispersed
Good place for one night
There are several spots to stay. You here a little bit of noise when u sleep in a tent. Can get windy. But amazing view. People are shooting here.
Mariana T.ScoutCody BLM Dispersed
Secluded peace
This area is huge so there’s plenty of space to camp, you may see other RVs on the distance. I love that there’s very good phone reception.
Guide to Wapiti
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Wapiti, Wyoming, where nature's tranquility meets stunning landscapes. This area offers a variety of spots for campers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Dispersed campers should check out Little Sunlight Camping Area
- Located in the picturesque Shoshone National Forest, Little Sunlight Camping Area provides a serene environment with breathtaking views, perfect for those seeking solitude.
- The area is accessible via a gravel road, making it suitable for both drive-in and walk-in campers, although a bit of caution is advised due to the rough terrain.
- Campers can enjoy amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, but should be prepared for a lack of drinking water and trash disposal facilities.
Tips for free and dispersed camping near Wapiti, Wyoming
- For a peaceful experience, consider Cody BLM Dispersed, which offers wide-open spaces and stunning 360-degree views, ideal for stargazing at night.
- Be mindful of the weather conditions, as some areas can be windy; for instance, Hogan Reservoir BLM Campground is known for its breezy environment, so securing your tent is essential.
- Always check for cell service availability; while some spots like Cody BLM Dispersed may have limited reception, others might offer better connectivity.
Scenic spots for dispersed campers
- The Beartooth Scenic Byway Camping is a must-visit for its stunning mountain views and proximity to hiking trails, making it a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts.
- If you're looking for a unique experience, Pilot Creek Dispersed Camping offers access to beautiful trails and the chance to see wildlife, although be prepared for rougher conditions.
- For those who enjoy fishing, Hogan Reservoir BLM Campground provides a peaceful setting with opportunities to cast a line while surrounded by nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Wapiti, WY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Wapiti, WY is Cody BLM Dispersed with a 4.9-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Wapiti, WY?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 dispersed camping locations near Wapiti, WY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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