Anglers find direct access to the South Tongue River at Dead Swede, a 13-site Forest Service campground that sits 4.7 miles down Forest Road 26 from Highway 14. The campground operates from early June through mid-September at $20 per night, with sites accommodating RVs up to 60 feet on gravel pads among tall pines.
Moose frequent the river daily to drink, and deer move through the area regularly. "Trout fishing on site with moose coming to the river daily to water," notes Mary. The campground includes pit toilets, potable water, picnic tables, and fire grills, with a camp host present during the season. Sites near the water tend to fill first due to the fishing access and creek sounds.
The forest road provides good access in dry conditions but can develop ruts after rain. Several campgrounds near Wolf offer alternatives along the scenic byway corridor. Dead Swede takes its name from a grave marker located within the campground boundaries, and the 14-day stay limit allows extended visits for fishing enthusiasts. Reservations are available through Recreation.gov, with additional vehicle fees of $9 per night.
Description
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 Rustic Freedom/Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds; e-mail: support@rusticfreedom.com; phone number: 307-431-7446.
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.
Facilities
The campground offers several single-family sites, two of which are accessible, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided.
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.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (304) 431-7446.
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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundDead Swede is located in Wyoming
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
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
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 33 min from Billings, MT
- 3 hrs 3 min from Casper, WY
- 4 hrs 14 min from Bozeman, MT
- 4 hrs 28 min from Rapid City, SD
