North Tongue
North Tongue Campground is located just off the Bighorn Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 14) near the Burgess Junction 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.
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 | 11 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 100 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
11 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 002 | Back-in | 26 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 003 | Back-in | 28 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 005 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 006 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 007 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 008 | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 009 | Pull-through | 100 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 010 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 011 | Pull-through | 80 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | 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 | 100 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| 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. |
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.
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. 7 reservable sites. |
| Rules | 14 day stay limit |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Dayton, Wyoming: Travel 29 miles west on U.S. Highway 14. At Burgess Junction, turn right on Burgess Overlook Road (Forest Road 15), where U.S. Highway 14A begins. Continue 1.5 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Dayton, Wyoming |
| Coordinates | 44.7806° N, 107.5331° 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
15 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 ↗ | 28.7 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 38 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
North Tongue Campground | Bighorn National Park Wyoming #Bighorn #cheapcamping
Worth a stop
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. The Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark is 25 miles from the campground. This unique geoglyph signifies all creation, and according to tribal beliefs, the circular shape of the wheel represents the earth, sun, moon, cycles of life, seasons and day to night. Bear Lodge and Elk View Inn are nearby, offering off-road vehicle rentals and fishing supplies, as well as dining options and general stores.
- 2.9 miShutts Flats Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 3.7 miTongue River Fishing East ↗Fishing site
Trails nearby
- 0.7 miBear Lodge ATV Connector0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.7 miTongue River Canyon ↗10.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3 miShutts Flat4.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 4.3 miCutler Hill2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.7 miDry Fork Cow Camp ↗4.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 4.9 miCopper Creek1.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.9 miShutts Flats 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
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
- Susan Wissler HouseBuilding · Dayton · 14.7 mi
- Dayton MercantileBuilding · Dayton · 14.8 mi
Natural features
The campground is situated on the banks of the North Fork Tongue River and Big Willow Creek in the Bighorn Mountains, where craggy granite peaks rise over 13,000 feet above sea level. A forest of lodgepole pine covers the area, creating excellent wildlife habitat. Englemann spruce and Douglas fir dot the landscape.
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.
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 North Tongue?
Sites at North Tongue 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 North Tongue?
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 North Tongue?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is North Tongue 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 North Tongue have?
12 sites, including 11 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at North Tongue?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at North Tongue?
Yes, pets are allowed at North Tongue. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at North Tongue?
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
What is there to do at North Tongue?
Off-road vehicle trails, scenic jeep roads, hiking, fishing and canoeing are available in the surrounding area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to North Tongue?
Dayton, Wyoming. Shell Falls Visitor Center, at the overlook of Shell Falls, is about 22 miles southwest.
Source: Getting there
What if North Tongue is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Pine Island Group Area (2.7 mi), Prune Creek (3.3 mi), and Sibley Lake (4.5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby