Wapiti Campground

About

Wapiti Campground is located along the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway about 30 miles west of Cody, Wyoming, and 22 miles east of Yellowstone National Park's east entrance. The name "Wapiti" comes from the American Indian word for elk. Situated at 6,000 feet elevation among cottonwood and juniper trees, the campground sits beneath ancient cliffs formed by the Absaroka volcanic mud flow. The campground hosts 41 sites on the North Fork of the Shoshone River, adjacent to the historic Wapiti Ranger Station. Sites 1-21 offer electric hookups with both 15 and 30 amp service, while sites 22-40 are standard non-electric. Every site includes a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and bear box for food storage. Vault toilets and potable water from a hand pump are provided. Maximum spur length is 50 feet. The area offers outstanding fly-fishing for rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with grizzly bears, deer, elk, bison, moose, and bald eagles frequently spotted. The nearby Wapiti Wayside provides interpretive information about grizzly bears and local wildlife. Pahaska Tepee, Buffalo Bill's original 1904 hunting lodge, is located west of the campground with daily tours offered Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Directions

From Cody, travel west on U.S. Highway 14/16/20 (Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway) for 30 miles. The campground is on the north side of the highway, next to the river, between Elk Fork Campground to the west and Big Game Campground to the east. Approximately 22 miles from Yellowstone's east entrance.