Shell Creek
Shell Creek Campground is located just off the Bighorn Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 14) at an elevation of 7,500 feet. The Bighorn National Forest offers a wide variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, scenic driving and a number of historic sites.
More like this: reservable in Wyoming · big rigs in Wyoming · pets allowed in Wyoming
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
active
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 12 |
| Tent-only | 2 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 75 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
14 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Standard | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 02 | Standard | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 03 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 04 | Standard | Pull-through | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 06 | Standard | Back-in | 70 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 07 | Tent only | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 08 | Tent only | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 09 | Standard | Pull-through | 30 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 10 | Standard | Back-in | 70 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 11 | Standard | Back-in | 65 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 75 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Fees | Two non-towed vehicles allowed per site. The first vehicle is included in the basic fee; the second vehicle will be charged an extra $9.00/day fee at the campground. Firewood bundles may be purchased from the campground host. |
| Accessibility | Sites 03, 04, 06, 09 and 6 more are listed accessible |
The campground offers single-family sites, most of which are accessible, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. The nearest dump station is 19 miles away at Burgess Junction.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | Memorial Day - Labor Day |
| Forest | Bighorn National Forest |
| Booking | This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line. |
| Fees | $20 per night. Additional vehicle $9. Limit 2 vehicles per site and 8 people per site. 8 reservable sites. |
| Rules | 14 day stay limit |
Weather by month
Getting there
Located 32 miles east of Greybull, Wyoming, on U.S. Highway 14. Turn off onto Paintrock Lakes Road (Forest Road 17). Shell Creek Campground is 1.5 miles from the turnoff.
| Nearest town | Greybull, Wyoming |
| Coordinates | 44.5503° N, 107.5147° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The administering organization is Rustic Freedom / Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds; e-mail: [email protected]
Charges and cancellations
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).
Fire nearby
- WildfirePk
20 mi from the campground · 1,645 acres · 85% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 31.9 mi |
| Dump station | Leigh Creek RV Dump Station ↗ | 33.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Shell Creek Campground - Bighorn National Forest - Wyoming
Worth a stop
Shell Falls Visitor Center, at the overlook of Shell Falls, is about 6 miles west. This center offers interpretive trails, scenic views, and educational displays about natural features such as flora and fauna and area history. Elk View Inn and other nearby lodges offer fishing adventures and 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.
- 10.4 miConey Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 11.2 miTwin Lakes Picnic Ground ↗Day use
- 11.6 miEdelman Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.8 miShell Bench ↗10.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.3 miAdelaide ↗5.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.6 miMail Creek ↗4.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 3.5 miGranite Creek1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.8 miAdelaide TH ↗Bighorn National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Bighorn National Forest.
- inBighorn National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,112,948 acres
- 8.5 miCloud Peak Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 191,914 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Shell Community HallBuilding · Shell · 13 mi
- Eje Bridge over Shell CreekStructure · Shell · 14.2 mi
Natural features
The campground is situated on the banks of Shell 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 fir, aspen and cottonwood trees. An abundance of wildlife lives in the area.
Recreation
Scenic off-road driving is available on Battle Creek Road to Medicine Lodge Lake, Ranger Creek Road to Shell Reservoir, Hunt Mountain Road and the Burgess Overlook jeep trail. Diverse hiking opportunities vary from loop trails to treks along creeks and over mountain peaks including access to the Cloud Peak Wilderness. The Adelaide Trail, for hiking and horseback riding is nearby, providing access to Shell Creek and the Shell Creek Trail. Many creeks, lakes and ponds dot the region, offering some of the best trout fly-fishing in the state.
Guidebooks for Wyoming
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Shell Creek?
Sites at Shell Creek are reservable on Recreation.gov. This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Shell Creek?
Two non-towed vehicles allowed per site. The first vehicle is included in the basic fee; the second vehicle will be charged an extra $9.00/day fee at the campground. Firewood bundles may be purchased from the campground host.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Shell Creek?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Shell Creek open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Memorial Day - Labor Day.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Shell Creek have?
15 sites, including 12 standard sites without power and 2 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Shell Creek?
The longest site here provides 75 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Shell Creek?
The nearest dump station is 19 miles away at Burgess Junction.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Shell Creek?
Yes, pets are allowed at Shell Creek. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Shell Creek?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. 14 day stay limit
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Shell Creek?
Sites 03, 04, 06, and 09 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 10 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Shell Creek?
Scenic off-road driving is available on Battle Creek Road to Medicine Lodge Lake, Ranger Creek Road to Shell Reservoir, Hunt Mountain Road and the Burgess Overlook jeep trail. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Shell Creek?
Greybull, Wyoming. Shell Falls Visitor Center, at the overlook of Shell Falls, is about 6 miles west.
Source: Getting there