Fishing the North Fork Shoshone River is the main draw at Big Game Campground, a 14-site Forest Service camp set within Shoshone National Forest along the route between Cody and Yellowstone. Anglers have miles of shoreline within reach, though reviewers note that some riverbank access points have been barricaded where the current has undercut the shore. The campground runs from mid-June through mid-September, with sites available for $15 per night (half that with an America the Beautiful senior or interagency pass).
Sites toward the front of the loop sit under heavy tree cover, while those toward the back open up toward the river. Each site includes a metal picnic table, fire ring, and a bear box, mandatory in this part of Wyoming. Janet P. notes that "you can hear the river all day and night," which gives some sense of how close the water actually is. A camp host is typically on-site to answer questions. Mosquitoes can be heavy in summer, and the vault toilets, while well-maintained according to multiple reviewers, have drawn mixed comments about odor during drier stretches.
No potable water is available on-site, so campers should arrive fully supplied. AT&T signal has been reported as limited but present. The campground accommodates RVs up to 120 feet and accepts reservations, though timing a visit just after a holiday or midweek improves the odds of landing a site. Nearby options along the same corridor include Elk Fork Campground and Clearwater Campground for campers who want to compare what the canyon has to offer before committing.
Description
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
The campground offers single-family campsites, each equipped with a table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and trash collection are provided. Campers are allowed to gather firewood in the area. There is no water available at the campground.
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.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
NOTICE: At this time, we are not accepting reservations for the listed campgrounds, but rather are available first-come/first-served. NOTE: The Clearwater Group site and the Sunlight Rangers Cabin continue to accept reservations.Please continue to monitor Recreation.gov to see if reservation status changes.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBig Game Campground is located in Wyoming near Wapiti
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
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Reservable
- Toilets
- Alcohol
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 17 min from Billings, MT
- 3 hrs 33 min from Bozeman, MT
- 6 hrs 47 min from Idaho Falls, ID
- 7 hrs 30 min from Pocatello, ID
