The best camping near Bighorn National Forest

Traveling between Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a classic American road trip which happens to include a scenic drive through Bighorn National Forest, whether you take the Bighorn Scenic Byway, the Cloud Peak Skyway, or the more adventurous Medicine Wheel Passage. Covering over a million acres of northern Wyoming, this national forest is named for the towering peaks of the Bighorn Mountains, considered a sister range to the Rocky Mountains. Nearly 30 campgrounds offer a range of amenities and scenic backdrops for outdoor adventures. Dispersed camping is also allowed. You could find yourself waking up to views of wildflower-filled meadows, alpine lakes and rippling streams, or shaded woodlands.

• Best for tree huggers: The towering pines of Middle Fork Campground provide ample shade, while the babbling creek adds to the serenity. 
• Best for RVers: Electric hookups are hard to find in Bighorn National Forest campgrounds, but Sibley Lake Campground has over a dozen sites with them! Reserve early for the best chances.
• Best for roomy campsites: The large campsites at Sitting Bull Campground earn high marks. Plus, with over 40 available, you may have good luck snagging one.

1. Bighorn National Forest has a mix of reservable and first-come-first-served campsites and campgrounds.
2. Reservations may be made online at Recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777.
3. Most reservations open six months in advance on a rolling basis.
4. Reservations are recommended for weekends and holidays during peak seasons, though first-come, first-served sites may be available. 
5. Some campgrounds stay open throughout the year, while others close for winter and, possibly, fall.

Weather conditions vary greatly by elevation and season in the Bighorns. The summer season is busiest, thanks to the moderate temperatures, especially at higher elevations, creating good conditions for outdoor recreation. Snow and freezing temperatures are possible from fall through winter and stretching into the spring, and higher elevations may have snow on the ground and roadways heading into summer.

• Services and amenities vary by campground and by season. Check online for specific details to see what will be accessible at your specific campground during your stay. 
• Campgrounds may or may not have potable water onsite.
• This is bear country. Plan ahead for storing food and other scented items.
• Cell signals may be limited or totally inaccessible in this rugged landscape.