Little Sunlight Camping Area

Ten miles down a gravel road from the main highway, Little Sunlight Camping Area sits within Shoshone National Forest's forested terrain along the Sunlight Creek drainage. The washboard road requires patience but remains passable for RVs up to 22 feet, though Steve & Ashley G. note "you will need 4 wheel drive or high clearance to access the best sites next to the river."

The campground offers both developed sites with picnic tables and fire rings, plus dispersed camping options further along the creek. Vault toilets serve the main camping area, while dispersed sites provide only stone fire rings. Several reviewers mention the creek access, with developed sites positioned for easier approach to the water. The area draws horseback riders and hunters, particularly during fall seasons when trailers may occupy sites for extended periods.

Road conditions vary significantly by season and weather. Summer brings dust that can be challenging for some vehicles, while the remote location means no cell service for major carriers. A short hike from camp leads to remnants of a ghost town. The ten-mile access road is a dead end, requiring the same route for exit whether heading toward places to camp near Wapiti or other destinations.

Campers should prepare for bear country protocols and bring all necessary supplies, as the nearest services require the full drive back to the main road.

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Location

Dispersed Camping

Little Sunlight Camping Area is located in Wyoming

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Cody, take State Highway 120 north for 16 miles. Turn left onto State Highway 296, the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway and proceed about 7 miles to Forest Road 101. Turn left onto Forest Road 101 about 9 miles to the campground.

Coordinates

44.71755368 N
109.59111728 W

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Connectivity

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Little Sunlight Camping Area needs a permit.

Drive Time


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Reviews

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5 Reviews

Campers regularly cited spectacular views and peaceful solitude at this remote location accessed via 10-12 miles of gravel road. Several reviews noted both developed sites with amenities and dispersed riverside spots requiring 4WD, with road access varying in difficulty.

Reviewed Sep. 18, 2023

Amazing!!

We’ve stayed in multiple dispersed sites across four different states and this was my wife’s favorite. We did stay in one of the developed spots and there was only one other camper in a spot where we couldn’t see them. It is ten miles down a gravel road and if you’re going to Yellowstone the road does not go through, you’ll have to go back out the way you came. However we thought it was more than worth it for the views!

Sitedeveloped spot across from pit toilet
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Little Sunlight Camping Area by Kyle B., September 18, 2023
  • Review photo of Little Sunlight Camping Area by Kyle B., September 18, 2023
  • Review photo of Little Sunlight Camping Area by Kyle B., September 18, 2023
Reviewed Sep. 18, 2023

Nice camping by river

Really nice little spot with maybe 8 sites to choose from. Decent clean pit toilets. Popular among horseback riders. There were probably 4 other groups there. Picnic tables, fire rings with grates, nice little river. Easy road in. Can bring big rigs. And the surrounding landscape was amazingly beautiful. No cell service for Verizon.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Play button icon
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  • Review photo of Little Sunlight Camping Area by Tee C., September 18, 2023
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jun. 10, 2023

Best ever

Our favorite out of five spots on this trip. The views are incredible. If you stay in the main camp area there are great hiking trails through the canyon. Be aware that once you hit the main camp ground there are spot through the rest of the road. Very beautiful spots right along the river. You will not regret staying here

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Little Sunlight Camping Area by Adam S., June 10, 2023
  • Review photo of Little Sunlight Camping Area by Adam S., June 10, 2023
  • Review photo of Little Sunlight Camping Area by Adam S., June 10, 2023
  • (20) View All
Reviewed Sep. 6, 2020

Perfect in every way

Quiet, serene and absolutely beautiful. We were basically alone in the entire campground the week before Labor Day. Completely off the beaten path. The road in is actually quite easy and the area has many 4x4 trails to explore, although the campground should be easily accessible in 2wd. We camped back beyond the developed sites, so we just had a rock fire pit and no picnic table but it was easy to adapt. There is a vault toilet at the developed campground. Absolutely beautiful. -also, there is a ghost town you can reach via a short hike. -when we were here, many spots were “held” by hunters leaving their trailers in a spot, so the developed sites looked very full, but were basically uninhabited.

  • Review photo of Little Sunlight Camping Area by Rachel S., September 6, 2020
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  • Review photo of Little Sunlight Camping Area by Rachel S., September 6, 2020
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Reviewed May. 28, 2019

Incredible Mountain Valley

This site about 12 miles up sunset road along a very rough washboard dirt/gravel rod. The road was extremely dusty in the summer and almost forced us to turn back. The dispersed sites are very rough and not well maintained. However, the views are some of the best we have ever seen in Wyoming. The sunset in the valley seemed to go on forever and provided light up until 10 pm. You will need 4 wheel drive or high clearance to access the best sites next to the river. If you are willing to endure the drive and don’t mind rough dispersed camping, the beauty of the site more than makes up for it. No facilities here just a stone fire ring. The site is known for grizzly bears. So you need to be an experienced camper to enjoy this area or take precautions.

  • Review photo of Little Sunlight Camping Area by Steve & Ashley  G., May 28, 2019
  • Review photo of Little Sunlight Camping Area by Steve & Ashley  G., May 28, 2019
  • Review photo of Little Sunlight Camping Area by Steve & Ashley  G., May 28, 2019
  • (12) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Little Sunlight Camping Area located in Wyoming?

Little Sunlight Camping Area is located about 12 miles up Sunlight Road in Wyoming's Sunlight Basin. The campground is accessed via a gravel/dirt road that leads into a beautiful, remote area. It's situated off the beaten path in a serene mountain setting with incredible views of the surrounding Wyoming landscape. While somewhat distant from main highways, the isolation contributes to its peaceful atmosphere and pristine natural environment.

What outdoor activities can you do near Sunlight Basin camping areas?

Sunlight Basin offers numerous outdoor activities for campers. Hiking is exceptional with great trails through the canyon directly from the main camping area. The area is popular among horseback riders with suitable terrain for riding. There are multiple 4x4 trails to explore in the vicinity for off-road enthusiasts. A small river runs through the area, providing opportunities for fishing and water activities. The spectacular mountain views also make photography and wildlife watching rewarding pursuits in this secluded natural setting.

Are there camping facilities along Sunlight Creek in Wyoming?

Yes, there are camping facilities along Sunlight Creek in Wyoming. Little Sunlight Camping Area offers both developed sites and dispersed camping options. The developed area includes approximately 8 sites equipped with picnic tables and fire rings with grates. Clean pit toilets are available at the main campground. There are also beautiful dispersed camping spots located right along the river as you continue down the road past the main campground. The area can accommodate various camping styles, including sites suitable for big rigs and RVs.