Wyoming Vacations: Camping Trips

There are many basic camping options in and around Cody, Wyoming which make it easy if you are trying to find a place to set up a tent or pull in your RV for either a night or a week. Buffalo Bill State Park, Shoshone National Forest, Washakie Wilderness Area and Yellowstone National Park are all within close proximity to Cody, Wyoming and offer a range of camping options for the traveler wishing to get closer to nature.

Buffalo Bill State Park

Buffalo Bill State Park is located just 8 miles west of Cody, Wyoming along the road toward Yellowstone National Park. Buffalo Bill State Park has two developed campgrounds. Campsites come equipped with tables and grills and facilities include restrooms and water spigots. There are no utility hookups or showers. The majority of the sites within these two campgrounds are available as first come first serve.

• Season: Campgrounds are open annually from May 1st through September 30th.
• North Shore Bay Campground has 37 sites, 5 of which are tent-only.
• North Fork Campground has 62 sites, 6 of which are tent-only.

Washakie Wilderness Area

The Washakie Wilderness is located just 30 miles southwest of Cody and the offers primitive and free camping. There are typically no services available and limits on the number of days you can stay are usually posted.

Shoshone National Forest

There are many campgrounds within the Clarks Fork, Greybull, and Wapiti Ranger Districts in the Shoshone National Forest that are within close proximity to Cody, Wyoming. All sites are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Generally the open season for campgrounds with services (water on, garbage pickup etc.) begins with Memorial Day weekend and runs through the end of September. Campground hosts take care of campgrounds and Forest Service interpreters provide campfire talks at some campgrounds. Nightly campsite rates range from a donation to $15. Please contact the local Ranger District office for details by visiting the Shoshone National Forest Camping website.

• Clarks Fork Ranger District:
  Beartooth Lake Campground: 77 miles from Cody; 21 sites.
  Crazy Creek Campground: 69 miles from Cody; 19 sites.
  Dead Indian Campground: 42 miles from Cody; 12 sites.
  Fox Creek Campground: 57 miles from Cody; 24 sites.
  Hunter Peak Campground: 59 miles from Cody; 9 sites.
  Island Lake Campground: 80 miles from Cody; 20 sites.
  Lily Lake Campground: 65 miles from Cody; 8 sites.
  Lake Creek Campground: 64 miles from Cody; 6 sites.
  Little Sunlight Campground: 53 miles from Cody; 4 sites.
• Greybull Ranger District (near Meeteetse, Wyoming):
  Brown Mountain Campground: 28 miles from Meeteetse; 6 sites.
  Jack Creek Campground: 20 miles from Meeteetse; 7 sites.
  Wood River Campground: 25 miles from Meeteetse; 5 sites.
• Wapiti Ranger District (closest campgrounds to Yellowstone National Park’s East Entrance):
  Big Game Campground: 29 miles from Cody; 16 sites.
  Clear Water Campground: 32 miles from Cody; 32 sites.
  Deer Creek Campground: 47 miles from Cody; 7 sites.
  Eagle Creek Campground: 45 miles from Cody; 20 sites.
  Elk Fork Campground: 29 miles from Cody; 13 sites.
  Newton Creek Campground: 37 miles from Cody; 31 sites.
  Rex Hale Campground: 36 miles from Cody; 30 sites.
  Three Mile Campground: 49 miles from Cody; 3 sites.
  Wapiti Campground: 29 miles from Cody; 41 sites.

Yellowstone National Park

The closest entrance station to Yellowstone National Park from Cody, Wyoming is the East Entrance with nearby campgrounds at Fishing Bridge and Bridge Bay. Reservations are highly recommended if not necessary at these campgrounds.

• Fishing Bridge RV Park: Hard sided camping units permitted only (no tents). Open from mid May to late September. 
• Bridge Bay Campground: RVs and tents welcome. Open from late May to mid September.