Got here a little past dusk on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. As has been the case for much of our cross-country trip, arriving in the dark (provided you can find a spot) lends itself to some incredible surprise views when waking up in the morning. This place was no different!
Even though it was late November, there were still tons of people out occupying camps throughout the dispersed camping areas. I’d definitely recommend arriving early in the afternoon to nail down prime real estate.
Super convenient to Arches and Canyonlands NP’s.! There’s also a convenience store just a couple miles south of the pull off for this place.
Rolled down off the snowy Powder River Pass in the Bighorn National Forest and through the Wind River Canyon to find the most incredible sunset site overlooking the Boysen Reservoir at the “Brannon Campground”. It was suuuuper windy but we had spectacular views.
We were here in early November. Pretty much had the whole of the reservoir campgrounds to ourselves. Didn’t see another person until the next morning when a Ranger came by to check in on us and make sure we’d paid our fees for the evening. I could see this place being busy during the summer season, but still should be ample space to spread out. Turns out, we camped on the pad that the Fish & Game folks setup on during the summer. Certainly app reactivated their level pad and electrical hookup.
Multiple different locations with pit toilets, though one area just north of us was blocked off at the time.
Super convenient location to Devil’s Tower, open year-round. Friendly folks running this place. Rates were a little high for the off-season but with no other full-hookup options nearby you’re kinda stuck with it.
I will say, the restroom and shower cabin was really a nice surprise.
After striking out on multiple other sites (off-season/winter closures), we were thrilled to find this spot. Only 1 other vehicle (tent camper) in the lot so we were able to find a semi-level parking place to call home for the night. As others stated, you probably wouldn’t want to bring any larger trailers or vehicles over 30’ in here. Our campervan is 22’.
The pit toilets weren’t the best we’ve seen but they were open…definitely appreciate that. Morning coffee and a sunbathing meditation on top of the rocks beside the lot made for a perfect start to the day.
The Badlands have left an imprint on me ever since I was a kid. The painted hills, the dramatic landscape, the Buffalo freely roaming the park, the prairie dogs, the peace…there really are few places like it. So to be able to experience all of this in a well maintained NPS primitive campsite loop is unbeatable.
We arrived here on an early afternoon in November. Through the course of the day, the campground saw 4 more visitors. There were really clean pit toilets and trash receptacles. Picnic tables and shade structures located all around the loop.
Experienced a mind-blowing sunset and were serenaded by a pack of coyotes that surrounded the valley. Prairie dogs inhabit ever bit of the grasslands around you. Buffalo were slowly making their way towards the loop as we were departing the next morning.
In all of our travels, this was one of the BEST in-park primitive campgrounds we’ve stayed at. 10 out of 10 would recommend!
I wasn’t sure we’d be able to make it out to the sites but it was welllllllllll worth trying! We arrived in November after an early-season snow. Our rig is a 23yo FWD Eurovan conversion but she managed to trudge through the snow and slush to get us situated at an incredible overlook spot. The sunrise views the next morning easily put the tensions of the potential AAA call out of my mind. If you’re traveling through the area you MUST try to squeeze in a night here.
Stayed here due to its proximity to Minneapolis airport…had an early flight the next morning. Really convenient location. No problems. Facilities were really well maintained. We didn’t see the sites in daylight hours but appreciated the cleanliness of the park. We stayed the last night of their camping season and were able to utilize water and electric hookups.
We arrived on a fall night, after the sun had set and we were thrilled to wake up to such an amazing display of Northern Indiana fall foliage. Campsites, facilities and trails were all super well maintained.
Wasn’t sure if we’d make it to this spot due to recent snowfall and melt-mud but our trustee Sugaree (‘97 VW Rialta) got us in position. There are some serious snow/mud ruts on the way in but the steepest bit is getting back onto the road on the way out.
Really an incredible spot! Only one other camper while we were there. Still plenty of distance to stagger on a crowded night. Windy, too, as others have mentioned. But nothing treacherous for us.
All of it is so well worth it to discover!
@theglasscamel