Dispersed camping near Wolf, Wyoming offers open meadow sites at elevations between 7,000-9,000 feet throughout the Bighorn National Forest. Summer nights cool to 45°F even when days reach 80°F, making sleeping comfortable. Free camping locations include Forest Roads 231, 403, and 375, with sites ranging from creek-side locations to alpine meadows.
What to do
Waterfall viewing along canyon roads: Crazy Woman Canyon Road features several small waterfalls and rapids created by the steep terrain. "We loved sitting by the water on some large boulders. The water is great white noise too," notes a Crazy Woman Canyon Road visitor.
Wildlife spotting in meadows: Early mornings and evenings offer the best wildlife viewing times. "During the evening, we saw a large herd of Elk on the forest perimeter," reports a camper at Meadow Camp on Forest Road 231.
Bouldering on rock formations: Canyon areas feature large boulder formations perfect for climbing and exploring. "The road follows the river with large boulders stacked upon each other to make up the canyon walls. This canyon worth exploring!" a Crazy Woman Canyon camper explains.
Wildflower photography in summer: Meadow areas burst with colorful wildflowers from June through August. "Wildflowers were beautiful," notes one visitor to Grouse Mountain Basecamp, while another described it as a "Wildflower Paradise."
What campers like
Natural white noise for sleeping: Creek-side camping spots provide ambient sounds that mask other noises. "Nice, quiet with good view and fire pit. Camping right next to the creek, listen to water and birds humming, perfect white noise to sleep with," writes a Crazy Woman Canyon Road camper.
Elevated meadow camping: Higher elevation sites offer cooler temperatures and open views. "Very easy to find, we arrived pretty late and it was simple to located and park. Super pretty spot when we woke up, beautiful sunrise and very meadow like," describes a visitor at Grouse Mountain Basecamp.
Privacy between sites: Many dispersed areas provide natural separation between camping spots. "We spent 14 days out here in our 19ft retro Jayco. Plenty of room for a couple of 5th wheels, vans, and tents alike," reports a Circle Road camper.
Free range for pets: Open meadows allow pets to explore safely. "Lots of Open spaces for the dog to run and for us," mentions a Grouse Mountain visitor.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Some forest roads become impassable after rain. "Hesitate travel on this road after a heavy rain, as any kind of washout or slick conditions could make travel hazardous," cautions a Crazy Woman Canyon camper.
Seasonal area closures: Some areas close without notice for construction or maintenance. "Currently closed about 10 minutes from where google maps was taking us without an indication why," reports a visitor from April 2024.
Cattle and wildlife encounters: Free-range cattle move through many camping areas. "Hundreds of free-range cattle, so if you are not comfortable with them walking in and through your campsite you may want to pick another location," advises an Elgin Park Trailhead visitor.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies widely by location. "There is only one place in all the area that has cell coverage and turns out we camped on that hill without knowing it so we had traffic all day with people parking in and around our campers to use their phones," explains an Elgin Park camper.
Tips for camping with families
Scout first, then camp: Drive the entire road before choosing a site with children. "We had to pass another truck and were just inches from the edge with rushing water below," warns a Crazy Woman Canyon visitor.
Pack extra layers: Mountain weather changes rapidly, even in summer. "The temperature got down to 45° which is perfect for me for sleeping," notes a Grouse Mountain camper.
Choose meadow sites for play space: Open areas provide safer spaces for children. "Great free camping. Lots of space from your neighbors," writes a Circle Road visitor.
Watch for moose in valleys: Moose frequent lower meadow areas and can be dangerous. "Moose were frequenting the lower valley area so beware that you could step out and see a Moose," cautions a Circle Road camper.
Tips from RVers
Bring leveling equipment: Most sites are naturally uneven. "Site was not very level, so be prepared for that," explains a Circle Road camper.
Watch for stored trailers: Some locals leave unoccupied trailers at prime spots. "When we arrived it looked like a lot of the locals 'dropped' their campers there for storage to avoid paying storage fees," reports an Elgin Park visitor.
Avoid ATV heavy weekends: Weekends bring increased off-road vehicle traffic. "This place is a haven for SxS and ATV traffic on the weekend so it can get loud and very dusty," warns an Elgin Park Trailhead camper.
Scout side roads before committing: Some roads become impassable for larger rigs. "You may want to scout the road the further you get into the camping area as it can be a bit rough (with water crossing at one point)," advises a Canyon Creek Dispersed visitor.
