Camper submitted image from Big Game Campground - 1
View All
Camper submitted image from Big Game Campground - 2
Nature
Camper submitted image from Big Game Campground - 3
Facilities
Camper submitted image from Big Game Campground - 4
Roads
Camper submitted image from Big Game Campground - 5
Buildings

Established Camping

Big Game Campground

About

National Forest

Shoshone National Forest

Overview

Big Game Campground is located along the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway about 29 miles west of Cody, in northwestern Wyoming. It is 23 miles east of the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The surrounding area offers many outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, hiking and viewing local wildlife.

Recreation

Great opportunities for hiking, fishing, scenic driving and wildlife viewing are available around the campground. The North Fork of the Shoshone River is a popular fly-fishing location for rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The Wapiti Wayside is less than a half-mile east of the campground, and offers interpretive information on bears and other local wildlife.

Facilities

Great opportunities for hiking, fishing, scenic driving and wildlife viewing are available around the campground. The North Fork of the Shoshone River is a popular fly-fishing location for rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The Wapiti Wayside is less than a half-mile east of the campground, and offers interpretive information on bears and other local wildlife.

Natural Features

The campground is situated among cottonwood and juniper trees, along the North Fork Shoshone River, at an elevation of 6,000 feet. A wide variety of wildlife lives in the surrounding area. Visitors often glimpse grizzly bears, deer, elk, bison, moose, fox, coyotes and bald eagles.

Nearby Attractions

Pahaska Tepee, west of the campground, is home to Buffalo Bill's original hunting lodge, built in 1904. Tours are offered daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Pahaska also offers guided horseback rides, a gift shop, restaurant and lodging. Yellowstone National Park's east entrance is 23 miles from the campground via the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway. The park offers unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities, as well as breathtaking scenery and unique geological features. The small, historic city of Cody offers a variety of dining, lodging and shopping options. The Buffalo Bill Historical Center offers extensive displays of Greater Yellowstone natural history, Plains Indians artifacts, western art, firearms, Buffalo Bill memorabilia and a wild sheep exhibit.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Big Game Campground is located in Wyoming

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Cody, Wyo., follow Sheridan Avenue west through Cody until the road leaves town, and becomes Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 14/16/20). The campground is 29 miles west of Cody, on the north side of the highway and next to the river. It is between Wapiti Campground and Horse Creek Picnic Area.

Address

203A YELLOWSTONE AVE
Cody, WY 82414

Coordinates

44.4616667 N
109.605 W

Open in Google Maps

Is Big Game Campground sold out?

Quickly grab cancellations!

Learn More

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

17%
50%
34%
0%
0%

4.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 17, 2020

Nice campground.

Nice campground but could be better kept up. High grass around the camp sites. Only complaint.

Reviewed Sep. 5, 2019

River Access With Mountain Views

Along the route from Cody to Yellowstone a variety of campgrounds abound offering inexpensive options with great views.    Amongst those Big Game Campground, a seasonally open campground with amazing river access and the wooded feel of a remote mountain campground.    

I found this campground when exploring the area and was instantly drawn in by the large shaded sites and how comfortable and secluded they felt.    Each site feels removed from the next as they are all built into little burrows and once you park your vehicle you feel very private.

Toward the front of the campground all sites are heavily wooded and toward the back they are somewhat open to the river.    Absolutely beautiful views of the mountains and the sound of water around you is very relaxing.   The only negative being that some of the river sites also have been barricaded off after recent undercutting of the shoreline by the river ways.

For those who enjoy fishing this is a perfect location as there are miles of shoreline which can be accessed from this point.   

Price point is very reasonable at only $10 and with both hard sided RVs and tents welcome this is a very appealing campground, unlike some a littler further toward Yellowstone which are limited to only hard sides.

Campsites each include standard amenities of picnic tables and fire rings along with mandatory use bear boxes.    There was a nice introduction to bears for those unfamiliar at the pay kiosk (cash only). I suggest reading this and becoming familiar before exploring the area or camping here.

At this location I did have cellular signal on AT&T although it was pretty limited.    

TIPS:

  • Be prepared and bring everything you need.   There are very limited stops from Cody to Yellowstone and prices at this few locations are much higher than in the Cody community.
  • Bring your water shoes if you intend on wading in the water.   Although most of the banks are covered with smooth river rocks some broken limbs are in the water with sharp jagged edges.
  • Review photo of Big Game Campground by Crystal C., September 5, 2019
  • Review photo of Big Game Campground by Crystal C., September 5, 2019
  • Review photo of Big Game Campground by Crystal C., September 5, 2019
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Sep. 7, 2018

Riverside Camping close to East Yellowstone

This campground was pretty great. Close to Yellowstone, but just far enough away if you know what I mean. Super nice Camp Host there to answer any questions for you about the area. Its a small campground, but affordable. $10 per night ($5 with an interagency pass) up to a 16 night stay. Nestled in the canyon outside of East Yellowstone. Fire pits, 2 pit toilets, and bear proof food boxes. Grizzly country, bring your bear spray.

  • Review photo of Big Game Campground by Natasha S., September 7, 2018
  • Review photo of Big Game Campground by Natasha S., September 7, 2018
Reviewed Aug. 20, 2018

just OK

small campground. no potable water. Sites are somewhat small but large areas of natural flora separate them so they feel fairly private. One pit toilet which was odiferous in spite of the campground being relatively empty. we stayed 1night.

Reviewed Jul. 14, 2017

Great Place

We stayed here three nights while we explored Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. The sites were spread out nicely with nature in between each one. The bear boxes and bear proof trash dumpsters were great. There was an abundance of mosquitoes. This loop is on the Shoshone River. You can hear the river all day and night. The vault toilets were amazingly cleaner than I expected. There was plenty of toilet paper and they were well maintained. We did have a large bison stop by for a visit, so just be aware.

Site2
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Big Game Campground by Janet P., July 14, 2017
  • Review photo of Big Game Campground by Janet P., July 14, 2017
  • Review photo of Big Game Campground by Janet P., July 14, 2017
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 8, 2017

Fabulous location

Right on the woods inside Shoshone National Forest. We had a spectacular view, and easy access to area attractions. Primitive camping with picnic tables at campsites. Pit toilets available. Self registration. Very private, and outside of grizzly country so you can tent camp.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the max vehicle length at Big Game Campground?

Big Game Campground allows vehicles up to 120 feet.

Is there cell phone reception at Big Game Campground?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is available.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Big Game Campground?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Big Game Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Big Game Campground, try setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Big Game Campground?

There are 15 campsites at Big Game Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts