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Verified

Established Camping

Dead Swede

Dead Swede, near Dayton, Wyoming, is a picturesque campground tucked away in the Bighorn National Forest, perfect for those seeking a peaceful escape. With its stunning backdrop of rocks and pines, it’s a prime location for camping, fishing, and wildlife watching.

The campground offers a serene atmosphere, with sites right by a stream, making it an ideal spot for relaxation. Visitors have raved about the tranquility, with one camper noting, “Beautiful, quiet campground situated near a stream with willows.” You can expect to see moose wandering nearby, adding to the charm of your stay.

Amenities include picnic tables and drinking water, but keep in mind there are no electric hookups or showers. Campers appreciate the well-kept grounds and the opportunity to enjoy campfires under the stars. As one reviewer put it, “It’s worth the 5-mile trip in,” highlighting the rewarding journey to this hidden gem.

For those looking to explore, the surrounding Bighorn Scenic Byway offers breathtaking views and hiking opportunities. Whether you’re casting a line in the nearby river or simply soaking in the natural beauty, Dead Swede is a fantastic choice for a memorable camping experience.

Description

USDA Forest Service

Bighorn National Forest

Overview

Dead Swede Campground is located just off the Bighorn Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 14) near the Burgess Overlook and Woodrock areas at an elevation of 8,400 feet. The Bighorn National Forest offers a wide variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, scenic driving and a number of historic sites. The administering organization is Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds; e-mail: gccampgrounds13@gmail.com

Recreation

Off-road vehicle trails, scenic jeep roads, hiking, fishing and canoeing are available in the surrounding area. Diverse hikes vary from loop trails to treks along creeks and over mountain peaks; many trails access the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Nearby Sibley Lake is open to non-motorized craft and offers an accessible fishing dock on the shoreline. Anglers fish for rainbow, brown and brook trout.

Natural Features

The campground is situated on the banks of the South Tongue River in the Bighorn Mountains, where craggy granite peaks rise over 13,000 feet above sea level. A forest of lodgepole pines covers the area, creating great wildlife habitat.

Nearby Attractions

Decades ago, many trees in the Tie Flume area were cut for railroad ties. Remnants of the old splash dams and tie flumes are found on the nearby river. Shell Falls Visitor Center, at the overlook of Shell Falls, is about 21 miles southwest. This center offers interpretive trails, scenic views, and educational displays about natural features such as flora and fauna and area history. Bear Lodge, Elk View Inn and other nearby lodges provide guided horseback riding and fishing adventures, off-road vehicle rentals and fishing supplies, as well as dining options, showers and general stores. The Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite, near the town of Shell, is the largest of its kind in the state and one of only a few in the world from the Middle Jurassic Period. The tracks found here are approximately 167 million years old.

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.Firewood bundles may be purchased from the campground host.

Location

Dead Swede is located in Wyoming

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Dayton, Wyoming, travel 26.5 miles west on U.S. Highway 14 to Burgess Junction. Continue 5 miles south on U.S. Highway 14, then turn east onto Forest Road 26 and travel about 5 miles east to the campground.

Address

FOREST ROAD 235
Dayton, WY 82836

Coordinates

44.6891667 N
107.4466667 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

5 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 15, 2023

Big Horn Mountains at its best.

Absolutely beautiful location in the rocks and pines of the mountains. Jan the CG host gave us a heads up to help extend our stay to two weeks. Trout fishing on site with moose coming to the river daily to water. Resident doe gave the RV a bump in the night then learned we were there. She walked through twice a day. It's worth the 5 mile trip in. The forest road was great coming in but rutted after a few rainy days.

Site5 and 10
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Aug. 29, 2022

Streamside seclusion

We loved this campsite. Right by the stream, very secluded, level ground for our tents. Saw three moose on the way into the Bighorns. Cool at night welcome after a day on the prairie. Stayed here on our way to Little Bighorn Nathaniel Battlefield.

Site14, Loop B
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Nov. 28, 2021

Totally Awesome

Dates:  June - Oct

Limit:  14 days

Fee:  $18.00 per night

          $9.00 per additional vehicle

Sites:  13 reservable

Reservations:  877-444-6777 or recreation.gov

Pit toilets, potable water, picnic table, grill, gravel pads, lantern pole, camp host

Beautiful space set amoung the tall pines.  Area is well kept and hiking galore.

Dead Swede Campground is named for the gentleman whose grave is located there.  It is located in the Bighorn Scenic Byway and is well worth the trip.  The campground is located east of U.S. Highway 14.  While there check out the South Tongue River which is great for fishing.

From Dayton, WY, take US 14 west for about 40.2 miles to Tie Flume/Dead Swede and Forest System Road(FSR) 26 signs. Turn left onto FSR 26 and go another 4.7 miles. Campground is on the left.

LNT

BTYFI

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Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Dead Swede by N I., November 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Dead Swede by N I., November 28, 2021
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Reviewed Apr. 9, 2019

Serenity

Beautiful, quiet campground situated near a stream with willows. We saw moose nearby and a deer near our campsite. No electricity . Get away from it all here.

Reviewed Jul. 8, 2018

Big calm river

Beautiful place for fishing. nice central location in the mountain between big lakes

  • Review photo of Dead Swede by vanessa  G., July 8, 2018
  • Review photo of Dead Swede by vanessa  G., July 8, 2018
  • Review photo of Dead Swede by vanessa  G., July 8, 2018
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the max vehicle length at Dead Swede?

    Dead Swede allows vehicles up to 60 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Dead Swede?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Dead Swede, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Dead Swede?

    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 Dead Swede. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Dead Swede, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Dead Swede?

    There are 21 campsites at Dead Swede and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts