Dead Swede
Dead Swede Campground is located just off the Bighorn Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 14) near the Burgess Overlook and Woodrock areas 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 | 20 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
20 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | LOOP A | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 003 | LOOP A | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 004 | LOOP A | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 005 | LOOP A | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 006 | LOOP A | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 007 | LOOP A | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 008 | LOOP A | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 009 | LOOP A | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 010 | LOOP A | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 011 | LOOP A | Back-in | 60 | 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 | 60 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. |
| Accessibility | Sites 002, 005 are listed accessible |
The campground offers several single-family sites, two 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.
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 | $23 per night. Additional vehicle $10. Limit 2 vehicles per site and 8 people per site. 13 sites reservable. |
| Rules | 14 day stay limit |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Dayton, Wyoming, travel 26.5 miles west on U.S. Highway 14 to Burgess Junction. Continue 5 miles south on U.S. Highway 14, then turn east onto Forest Road 26 and travel about 5 miles east to the campground.
| Nearest town | Dayton, Wyoming |
| Coordinates | 44.6892° N, 107.4467° W · Directions ↗ |
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
12 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 ↗ | 25.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
"Stay Away?" Camping at Dead Swede with KC and the Overlanders
Worth a stop
Decades ago, many trees in the Tie Flume area were cut for railroad ties. Remnants of the old splash dams and tie flumes are found on the nearby river. Shell Falls Visitor Center, at the overlook of Shell Falls, is about 21 miles southwest. This center offers interpretive trails, scenic views, and educational displays about natural features such as flora and fauna and area history. Bear Lodge, Elk View Inn and other nearby lodges provide guided horseback riding and fishing adventures, 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.
- 5.4 miShutts Flats Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 7.9 miConey Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 8.9 miTwin Lakes Picnic Ground ↗Day use
- 9.3 miTongue River Fishing East ↗Fishing site
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miBonanza Dead Swede2.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.7 miDunwood2.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.7 miWoodrock ATV1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.2 miCopperwood2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.2 miDunwood Spur0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.3 miWest Fork1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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
- 13.2 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
Natural features
The campground is situated on the banks of the South Tongue River in the Bighorn Mountains, where craggy granite peaks rise over 13,000 feet above sea level. A forest of lodgepole pines covers the area, creating great wildlife habitat.
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 Dead Swede?
Sites at Dead Swede 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 Dead Swede?
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 Dead Swede?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Dead Swede 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 Dead Swede have?
21 sites, including 20 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Dead Swede?
The longest site here provides 60 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 pets allowed at Dead Swede?
Yes, pets are allowed at Dead Swede. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Dead Swede?
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 Dead Swede?
Sites 002 and 005 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. 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 Dead Swede?
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 Dead Swede?
Dayton, Wyoming. Decades ago, many trees in the Tie Flume area were cut for railroad ties.
Source: Getting there
What if Dead Swede is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Tie Flume (1.9 mi), Owen Creek (2.8 mi), and Prune Creek (5.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby