Verified
Established Camping
Owen Creek
Owen Creek, near Dayton, Wyoming, is a charming campground tucked away in the Bighorn National Forest. It’s a great spot for those who appreciate the beauty of nature, with a lovely creek nearby and plenty of trees providing shade and a sense of seclusion.
The campground is pet-friendly and allows campfires, making it perfect for cozy evenings under the stars. Visitors have enjoyed the clean facilities, including vault toilets and drinking water, which are conveniently located. One camper noted, “Nice clean campground with a nice little creek for the kids to play in,” highlighting the family-friendly vibe here.
For adventure seekers, Owen Creek is close to numerous ATV trails and offers easy access to diverse hiking opportunities, though you might need to drive to reach the best trailheads. Wildlife sightings are a bonus, with campers sharing experiences of spotting moose and deer right from their sites.
If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat with a touch of adventure, Owen Creek is a solid choice. Just remember, it’s a first-come, first-served setup, so plan accordingly!
Description
Overview
Owen Creek Campground is located along 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.
Facilities
The campground offers single-family sites 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 Owen Creek in the Bighorn Mountains, where craggy granite peaks rise over 13,000 feet above sea level. The area is forested with a mix of pine and aspen trees. An abundance of wildlife lives in the area.
Nearby Attractions
Shell Falls Visitor Center, at the overlook of Shell Falls, is about 22 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 $10.00/day fee at the campground. Firewood bundles may be purchased from the campground host.
Location
Owen Creek is located in Wyoming
Directions
From Dayton, Wyoming: Travel 27 miles on U.S. Highway 14 west, turn left (south) at Burgess Junction and continue on Hwy 14 for 5 miles until you reach Forest Road 236. Take a right on Forest Road 236 and continue about .2 miles to the campground.
Address
FOREST ROAD 236
Dayton, WY 82836
Coordinates
44.7066667 N
107.4980556 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 25 min from Billings
- 2 hrs 55 min from Casper
- 4 hrs 9 min from Bozeman
- 4 hrs 20 min from Rapid City
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
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
