Bighorn National Forest encompasses Circle Park Campground, a 10-site Forest Service facility that sits three miles down a dirt access road from Highway 16. The campground operates from late May through September at $18 per night, with a cash or check dropbox at the entrance and firewood available from the host for $6 per bundle.
Sites spread through aspen groves and meadows, with most offering shade from surrounding trees. A creek runs along the back of the campground, and campers frequently spot wildlife including deer, elk, and moose in the adjacent meadows, particularly at dawn and dusk. Milo D. notes "there is a decent variation to choose from" among sites, with options ranging from shaded spots to more open areas closer to the road.
The Circle Park Trailhead provides access to hiking routes leading to mountain lakes where anglers report catching fish. Vault toilets and drinking water serve the campground, though there are no hookups. Cell coverage remains minimal with Verizon showing 0-1 bars on most days. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings with grills, and campfires stay permitted even during fire restrictions due to the established rings.
The three-mile access road starts smooth but becomes rougher in the final section, potentially muddy after rain though passable for most vehicles. No reservations are accepted, so arriving by mid-afternoon increases chances of securing a site during busy periods. Traffic on the dead-end road stops at nightfall, creating quieter evening conditions.
Campers seeking free alternatives can explore Dispersed Camping Circle Park Road, which offers sites along the access route without amenities.
Description
Overview
Circle Park Campground is located about 15 miles west of Buffalo, Wyoming, on the east side of scenic Cloud Peak Skyway, near the Cloud Peak Wilderness Area. Part of the Bighorn National Forest, the area offers a wide variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, scenic driving and a number of historic sites. The administering organization is Rustic Freedom / Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds; e-mail: support@rusticfreedom.com
Recreation
Scenic off-road driving is available on nearby Elgin Park, Pole Creek and Crazy Woman Canyon Roads. Hiking and mountain biking are allowed on these roads as well. High Park Lookout, a short hike east of Meadowlark Lake, is an old fire lookout offering panoramic views of the area. There is fishing at nearby streams and lakes including Tie Hack Reservoir, a non-motorized lake, and Meadowlark Lake for rainbow, cutthroat, brown, and brook trout. Many additional hiking trails are available in the Cloud Peak Wilderness.
Facilities
The campground offers several single-family sites each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Vault toilets, drinking water from a hand pump, fire wood sales, and trash collection are provided. The nearest dump station is 27 miles away on Powder River Pass.
Natural Features
The campground sits at the edge of a meadow tucked in a dense forest of lodgepole pine and aspen with widely spaced sites. Circle Park Trailhead leading into the Cloud Peak Wilderness is nearby.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (307) 431-7446.
Nearby Attractions
The adjacent Cloud Peak Skyway provides for scenic driving. Many additional hiking trails are available in the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Fishing is popular in the campground and nearby streams and Tie Hack Reservoir.
Charges & Cancellations
Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This cancellation processing fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).
Fee Info
Two non-towed vehicles allowed per site. The first vehicle is included in the basic fee; the second vehicle will be charged an extra $9.00/day fee at the campground.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsCircle Park Campground is located in Wyoming near Saddlestring
Directions
From Buffalo, WY, take US Hwy 16 west for 13.4 miles to FS Road 20 (Circle Park Road), turn right, go 2.1 miles.
Address
FOREST SERVICE ROAD 20 (CIRCLE PARK ROAD)
Buffalo, WY 82834
Coordinates
44.28277778 N
106.9905556 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 5/6/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 5/6/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
Drive Time
- 1 hr 51 min from Casper, WY
- 2 hrs 41 min from Billings, MT
- 3 hrs 19 min from Rapid City, SD
- 4 hrs 30 min from Bozeman, MT
