Hunter Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. Operates Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather dependent. Self-supported camping allowed outside the season when weather permits, but no water, trash collection, or restroom cleaning services are provided. Limited to 14 consecutive nights.
Wheeled Vehicles in Wilderness
This order describes the prohibition of wheeled vehicles in all National Forest Wilderness Areas of the Rocky Mountain Region and any exceptions thereof.
Weed Free Forage Products
The purpose of this Order is to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds.
Occupancy and Use Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is to protect the public health and safety in the Rocky Mountain Region. This Order is supplemental to and does not rescind or replace those restrictions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A, or any Forest Supervisor Order issued under 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart B.
Cave Closure and Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is to reduce the spread of the fungus that causes White nose syndrome and to protect bat species during critical biological periods.
Forest Special Order 02-02-06-25-11 Black Mountain Lookout Building Closure
The Black Mountain Fire Lookout building and deck are closed to entry.
Forest Special Order 02-02-06-25-10 Burgess Junction Visitor Center
Area closure to protect Burgess Junction Visitor Center building.
Forest Special Order 02-02-03-25-01 Medicine Wheel Area Closure
Restrictions in the Medicine Wheel Area.
Forest Special Order 02-02-01-25-02 West Tensleep Corridor
Restrictions to camping and human waste management in West Tensleep Corridor, Forest System Road 27.
Forest Special Order 02-02-03-25-05 Shell Falls Interpretive Site Closure
Shell Falls Interpretive Site trails, pathways, grounds, viewing platform, buildings, parking areas, and road closed to public entry.
Forest Special Order 02-02-25-03 Over Snow and Motor Vehicle Restrictions
Travel management restrictions including S-Areas.
Forest Special Order 02-02-06-24-09 Gravel Pit Area Closures
Burgess and Copper Creek Gravel Pit closures to public entry.
Forest Special Order 02-02-24-02 Occupancy and Use Camping Regulations
Regulations related to camping and use of areas in the Bighorn National Forest.
About
Hunter Campground serves as a premier trailhead campground in the Bighorn National Forest, constructed with equestrian campers in mind but available to all users. Situated at 7,800 feet elevation in Johnson County, Wyoming, the campground is accessed via a scenic 2-mile gravel road west of U.S. Highway 16 on Forest Road 19. The winding drive offers views of wildlife, mountain streams, and abundant wildflowers. The campground provides 11 campsites, each equipped with an individual livestock corral, making it ideal for pack and saddle stock users. Additional equestrian amenities include hitching rails and an accessible mounting ramp. The surrounding landscape is dominated by dense lodgepole pine forest, typical of this elevation in the Bighorn Mountains. Campers should be prepared for variable weather conditions at this high elevation. Hunter Trailhead provides direct access to numerous hiking and horseback riding trails leading into Cloud Peak Wilderness and the Rock Creek Recommended Wilderness Area. The location connects visitors to centuries of history, from Native American use to homesteaders and modern explorers. The diverse landscape ranges from lush grasslands to alpine meadows, crystal-clear lakes to glacially-carved valleys. Nearby Tie Hack Reservoir, a 15-minute drive southeast, offers additional recreation opportunities including canoeing and fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, brown, and brook trout.
Directions
From Buffalo, travel west on Highway 16 for 13 miles. Turn west onto Forest Road 19 and travel 2 miles, then turn left onto Forest Road 396 and follow to the campground entrance.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $22 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| SM.FS.bighorninfo@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (307) 684-7806 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!