Grave Springs Campground

Free. Camped here one night in early September 2024. Except for the views, there is nothing remarkable about this primitive BLM campground. This is a good overnight stopover for those driving on the beautiful South Bighorn/Red Wall Back Country Byway. It appears that the campsites have not seen maintenance in a while. The his/hers vault toilet was okay and supplied. I did not see any trash receptacles; cleaned up the mess left behind by previous campers. No cell service in this remote region. There are no established hiking trails, although one can explore a few of the tracks in the vicinity.  Stayed at the site just past the vault toilets. Dirt surface; can get muddy. Not exactly level but close enough for my campervan. Unless you area hunter, I don't consider this to be a destination. However, the journey along the byway makes it worth while to camp here. The byway was in great shape; no issues for my AWD van.

After taking the scenic byway for around a day (off road, high clearance vehicles recommended) I chose this as my stop for the night. While there are numerous off road campsots just off the trail, this was a nice break as the sun started to go down and offered a little table, fire ring (no fires this time of year), and clean pit bathrooms. I arrived on a Wednesday night and was the only one there. I enjoyed numerous deer and some antelope passing by. I didn’t see another car for almost 18 hours!

Grave springs boasts over 10 sites with picnic tables, fire pits, restrooms, and trash. The scenery is unbelievable. Dark sky's at night reveal the milky way. Wildlife include fox, racoons, squirrels, skunk, elk, deer and fish! The creek runs through the campground. Close by are amazing scramble rocks, more creek fishing spots, and choose your own adventure wilderness terrain. The site is popular/busy during the hunting season and I heard it is busy sometimes on labor day weekend...but other than that it is a quiet undiscovered gem.... shhhh!!! Willard's nearby offers meals and drinks. There is no cell service at the campground but there is a sweet cell spot about a mile away. Take a right out of the site...go about a mile and there are some truck tracks that go up a hill...once you are up the hill you may have to walk around a little bit to get the signal. Be aware: the roads here EAT tires. Regardless whether you have 4wd, Awd, or 2wd...you NEED high clearance and good tires in good condition. Also, make sure you have gas...and extra gas if you plan on day tripping a lot. The people you meet out this way are extremely friendly and helpful.

I was turned onto this campground by my dad about 2 years ago and just returned this year, tucked back into a side road, it is a nice site that only the locals know of. With The Lodge near by this is great excape as long as you don't mind the two to three hour drive through cow and sagebrush territory. (Seariously it takes forever no matter if you are coming from Buffalo or Casper.) Beautiful country, with a quiet little creek. Just make sure you have fourwheel drive because it takes a bit to get there.